CHART Update

My brother is also thinking about opening a workshop which may mean shopfront signage - very exciting indeed. It would be wonderful to see my logo on a large scale... think wood engravings or a huge stamp effect.

We first met our industry mentors back in September, we were asked to show them our portfolios...I thought they'd get to see my work throughout the year anyway so decided to show a video that sums me up as an individual. It includes photographs that I've taken, things that make me smile and some of my design and non design related work.

Self Branding

As part of the HND at Telford we are required to create our own branding so that we are ready for the big bad world of employment. I've known for a long time exactly how I wanted to brand myself; clean, crisp and simple to let my work do the talking. I have chosen Bodoni Black as it is a classic typeface that has clearly stood the test of time, not to mention its beauty.
I really adore printing and wanted this to come across in my work, so the main "logo" if you like will be a blind emboss on GFSmith Colorplan Pristine White. I kept the size consistent throughout the stationary to save on cost. This will also be a feature on my portfolio, below.

As so many people now a days have the same black portfolios I wanted to stand out and do something different. This is something that came up when asking for advice from the designers at Whitespace, along with many other valuable pointers.
The swivel concept came to me, like many of my ideas, whilst trying to sleep! I like the idea that this is a project in its own and I guess, it challenges the printing process. The stock will be the same as the above but on 700gsm board - this in itself is a challenge as not many printers can print on this stock. The solution is to print on a lower weight and sandwich it to the board. I feel that the clean white portfolio will be a lovely contrast to the bright full colour images of my work, and hope that when the viewer opens up the portfolio they will be hit with the intensity of the photographs.

(Apologies for the grotty scan! Please email me if you would like higher quality images)

Finally, my website. Initially I thought it was going to be quite difficult to transfer the impact of the blind emboss to web, but settled on keeping it monochrome rather than trying to replicate. Throughout all of my self branding/promo work, the layout of work will remain consistent. I see the website as a way in if you like, something that I can send potential employers/clients to then meet face to face, and hopefully show them my portfolio and my personality.

Branding: Ply Business Cards

As I mentioned previously, the stamps are to work on business cards made from ply wood. My bedroom is now a workshop. 300 business cards...could take a while!

Mentor Brief: CABE Space

This project was adapted from the brief set by CABE at the YCN student awards, which was to raise the public profile of parks in an engaging and imaginative way.
I wanted to show that parks cater for everybody so I chose the title “101 things to do in the park.” With the help of friends and family I listed all 101, from climbing trees to chilling with a book. Using interesting typography and fun illustrations I compiled them in to an A2 poster, an eight page concertina mailer and quirky postcards.
For the campaign to work as a whole I conducted some guerilla advertising in the college reception area. This involved a patch of turf, a tree with 101 different coloured leaves (each containing one action) and some spare leaves for the public to add their own thoughts.
I worked closely with my industry mentor (Iain Lauder from Redpath). Throughout the project I sent him updates and he would reply with his thoughts, this resulted in a final presentation at Redpath. Iain was kind enough to give me a merit for the project overall.

Festivities

With all this snow that festive feeling has come around rather early this year. So, I spent a chilly afternoon last week making Christmas cards in front of the fire with my seven year old sister...after me, "awwww."

"Christmas" Review: Tshirt Design

At Edinburgh's Telford College, the graphics course have a Christmas Review. I say "Christmas" because it has now been postponed due to this crazy snow. Here we invite our industry mentors along to have a look at what we've been up to, along with the all important drinks and mince pies! We are required to design and wear a tshirt with one thing that we have learned in the year. What did I learn? That I am absolutely head over heels for Mr Ampersand, no matter his style or weight! For more ampersand pleasure, have a look at 300&65 Ampersands

Competition: MPA Roses

As a second year, I am required to take part in several design competitions throughout the year. This brief is taken from the MPA Roses Student Awards - The agency who submitted this brief believes that all designers should be able to recite this poem. Instead, we've to design a typographic tattoo of the quote. If it's really good their Creative Director may even have the tattoo done! I've gone for a very subtle tattoo, the ampersand being the focal point (as you will see in my next post, I am in love with these!) The brief states that the more discreet, the more likely the Creative Director is to have it done.

Identity Project

I have just finished branding my brother's joinery business. I knew from the beginning that I wanted the business card to be on ply wood, so a stamp was the obvious choice as a printing method. The other benefits of stamps are of course; Charlie can make the business stationary as and when he needs it, also handy when it comes to changing stock, and what I love most about stamps is that each and every design comes out different. This was a lovely little project to work on, and great to see it all coming together...I was maybe a little too excited when the stamps arrived via post this morning! I am currently working on the web side of things. Images of ply business cards and web to follow.