Illuminating Poster

The other day I had an idea for a Uni piece of work which was to do with make things illuminate in a night club. When I thought of this I jumped onto the Mac and did of bit of research into posters that have been created that illuminate in the dark.

I then came across Daren Newman's piece of work Ever Stopped . . .

This piece of work is a print based piece using phosphorescent inks. (I only know this from asking him.) If anyone wants to know where the print was done it was a company called K2.

Daren works for Me & My Pen, this is where you can find more examples of work he has created which I must say is rather impressive.

RPM Ltd

Recently whilst searching on the internet for reference in experiential design (which is to do with my current brief in University), I came across a company called RPM Ltd.

RPM are a small company based in London. Last year they was voted in the top 100 small companies to work for by The Sunday Times.

The company have worked with such clients as Strongbow, Sky, Cancer Research, Bacardi, Blackberry, Cadbury and FIFA just to name a few. So just going off the company names this set's the height of the bar this company works at.

To see some of the case studies they have already completed just go and visit there website.

Steve Leard - Blogs - Good or Bad?

Recently there was a post on the CR blog regarding blogs. After reading this I decided to contact a few people who have posted there thoughts about blogs.

One of these was Steve Leard. Steve runs his own blog also so the feedback should be interesting.

Questions and Answers;

1. Would you recommend that students produce a blog? If so why?

I would recommend it, I believe it's a good learning exercise, especially if you were analysing and presenting your own work. Being self-critical is an important skill to learn as a young designer, it's how you learn and develop.

2. A lot of students aren't safe with putting there design's up on blogs due to the idea getting stolen. What would your opinion be on this?

So what? I wouldn't give it much thought really. As a creative person, you'll come up with an infinite amount of ideas, no one can steal that ability. Ideas get stolen, it's an irreversible fact, you can't let that deter you.

3. People see a way to publicize themselves and their work, but a lot of blogs don't get a lot of hits, so what should the purpose of a blog be?

It's there if you need it. You might not get a lot of hits, but I think it's still a positive thing for a designer to do. It makes you analytical, critical and open to what's around you. If you go for a job interview and tell them you write a blog, that's going to make a good impression, it shows you're inquisitive.

4. Finally, what's one positive and negative about having a blog?

Positive - Makes you a better designer

Negative - I can't really think of one, what's the worst that could happen? If it's not for you, just stop.

Ted Howell - Blogs - Good or Bad?

Recently I got in touch with Ted Howell regarding blogs. Ted was recommend as someone I should get in touch with regarding blogs by David Sedgwick. Ted works for 999 Design in Salford.

Question and Answers;

1. Would you recommend that students produce a blog? If so why?

Yes. If only as a way through your experience as a student to quantify what you've actually done, looked at and posted on the internet. Speaking as a student who 8 years ago had to hand in lever-arch files of research/photocopies etc to be subjected to some kind of marking process - surely a blog which documents everything you've done for the last 12/24/36 months can only be a useful tool for you, and your tutors.

2. A lot of students aren't safe with putting there design's up on blogs due to the idea getting stolen. What would your opinion be on this?

Ideas do get stolen, it's a sad part of the business - but I wouldn't let this deter you from starting a blog. They were stolen in every decade before the 90s from books and print, and they're being stolen now. But, if you want to start a blog, then do it. It is better to share than to sit on your ideas. I've seen many blogs dry up quickly though, so be upfront if it is simply going to serve us as an online portfolio.

3. People see blogs as a way to publicize themselves and there work, but a lot of blogs don't get a lot of hits, so what should the purpose of a blog be?

The web is awash with blogs and 90% of designers look at 90% of the same blogs - unfortunately this means getting a new blog noticed, and more importantly read, is a tough hurdle to get over. A blog to me should simply be interesting. How that is defined I suppose is in the mind of the reader, but an interesting and indeed interested blogger is a great start.

4. Finally, what is one positive and negative about having a blog?

A positive: It gives you a voice, and if you shout loud enough your audience could be immense.

A negative: You're just one in a million...

Creative Review - To blog or not to blog

Recently Creative Review have been holding a Question of the Week on there blog.

This weeks questions was: To blog or not to blog?

Neil sent me the link letting me know about this weeks question as this will tie in with the debate about blogs which I previously got in touch with him about.

To read this article, read the responses, or even posting your own opinion (should do that on here) then visit;

http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2009/september/question-of-the-week-080909#feedback

Gareth Dunt - Blogs - Good or Bad?

Another student I emailed regarding blogs was Gareth, and yes Gareth went to the University of Wales also.

Questions and Answers;

1. When participating in a group/individual blog, how do you find it? Do you enjoy it and why?

Regarding individual blogs, I have found is massively rewarding as it acts as a sort of reflective journal for me as a designer. There's been many times that I've stumbled across a gem of a website, written in the URL down on the back of a book, only to loose it in the vastness of a mess at my desk. The memory rolls out of my brain and is lost forever and a potential love affaire with that website is stopped even before it has begun. Keeping a blog is the quickest, easiest and by far the most logical way of keeping track of finds on the internet.

2. I've found that a lot of student's aren't safe with putting there design work up on blogs due to the idea getting stolen. How do you find this? Are you happy to put your work up?

Yes I've no problem in putting my work up on my blog. There's been many cases when I've posted progress reports concerning my projects to act as a personal account of how things are going. Thing is, the work ultimately gets put up on my main website garethdunt.com and if they really want to steal material then it's there for the taking. I've no problem with it really, I feel idea recycling is a major factor in how we develop.

3. Are you pressured into doing a blog, or do you just want to do it to get yourself noticed and more involved with topics?

Originally the pressure came from my course. We were instructed to keep personal design journals which could be in either physical book or blog format. I tried keeping a book but I found it laborious, far too precious, and most importantly selfish. I didn't like the fact that all the interesting finds, thoughts and philosophies I'd collected over a limited of time were limited to a book that only myself and a few lecturers would read. I wanted to share my findings with fellow students and anyone else that wants to listen. With regard to keeping a blog to get involved with debates, I guess that is also a factor. What's great about this media is that it can bring people from anywhere in the world into the same discussion. Something you can't get with a moleskin sketchbook.

4. What do you find positive and negative about having a blog?

The main positives I have found with blogging is the ability to share you're content with other people in a way that is more subtle than public broadcast. Blogs are quiet, controlled things that people can visit when they wish to. Not loud, brash, invasive websites that preach. Having said that, I guess some are. Also the ability to file and organise content with labels and catagories - my reflective notes are at hand almost anywhere in the world, without need for numerous dog-eared notebooks. Within 10secs of searching I've found that entry I made on that awesome typographer from Brazil who's letter E I really like on the 23rd April 2006. Try doing that with a moleskin!

As for negatives, I can't really think of any... there's plenty of databases of good blogs out there such as thestrangeattractor.net and typeneu.com that keep me ticking as a designer. I don't really have anything negative to say about them!

Blogs = Good

Richie Evans - Blogs - Good or Bad?

Continuing emailing students regarding blogs, I got in touch with a student called Richie Evans.

Richie, like the other two, goes to the University of Wales. 

Questions and Answers;

1. When participating in a group/individual blog, how do you find it? Do you enjoy it and why?

I usually come across interesting blogs when I see links on sites such as psdtuts.com or other design tutorial sites, just to look at what other work they've got to show, or what great music videos or animation that are out there that some people will never get the chance to see on MTV or of course be quite difficult to find on youtube, also what designs or designers interest them in the world of creative communication. But most blogs sites I usually visit do cause a spark of inspiration that I use in my University work or freelance work.

2. I've found that a lot of student's aren't safe with putting there design work up on blogs due to the idea getting stolen. How do you find this? Are you happy to put your work up?

I'm always happy to show my work, but if other students think they've got a design to good 'they must COPYRIGHT it' then expose there great idea/design upon the world which will give them good marks with other designers and bloggers of the world - that is a number one rule in my book and students shouldn't think of it as their work being 'stolen' but 'to inspire others'.

3. Are you pressured into doing a blog, or do you just want to do it to get yourself noticed and more involved with topics?

We are not pressured into doing a blog in Uni but our lecturers do tell us to do a 'reflective journal' in any form of media (PowerPoint display, a book or even a blog) just to show everyone in our year that each individual likes world of design.

But blogs are not the only way to get noticed online, there are many ways to get involved with topics such as

- Competitions on psdtuts.com that somehow all the work is submitted through flickr.com for all the designers to keep in contact with each other.

- www.logosauce.com - a site where designers come together and compare simple brand/logo designs and other interesting competitions that help designers get noticed for their hard graft.

- designerscouch.org - a site that is basically free, the facebook of designers - this site is great to show off your work and get great advice from professional designers across the world.

Apart from entering competition, you can find jobs suitable for your taste of design but my favourite part is when you apply - you don't simply apply like any other site but you have to send them 5 pieces of your work before you are accepted on the site... basically these guys are professionals and they want talent.

4. What do you find positive and negative about having a blog?

I don't think there is anything negative about blogs but you can have negative bloggers which are always amusing (well maybe for me) but blogs are inspirational, creative, and communicates well to the world of design. Maybe the only thing negative about blogs is top up the pages with more work that can kill off alot of time haha

Julian Wiedemann - Blogs - Good or Bad?

Another student I got in touch with on the agenda of blogs was Julian. 

Julian is another student that goes to the University of Wales. Although Julian mentioned how he found it hard to speak English, due to being back in his homeland as he finished University for a few months, I was very grateful for him answering the questions.

Questions and Answers;

1. When participating in a group/individual blog, how do you find it? Do you enjoy it and why?

- I do enjoy to work in a group of creative people and providing interesting stuff on the web.

- Also I find it cool to publicate your own interests and attitudes as well as designs and approaches.

2. I've found that a lot of student's aren't safe with putting there design work up on blogs due to the idea getting stolen. How do you find this? Are you happy to put your work up?

- To be honest I've never heard of one telling me that this has happened to them, but I can imagine, I always state the copyright stuff to my pictures... the little c is my friend (copyright symbol)

- I would never put up some work which is still being processed or which hasn't been discussed with the client.

3. Are you pressured into doing a blog, or do you just want to do it to get yourself noticed and more involved with topics?

- It's a really cool thing to have a blog, hardly every design student do have one and keep them up to date. But I don't feel that I'm pressured doing this.

- Maybe a bit. but only to match up with 'em.

4. What do you find positive and negative about having a blog?

Positive: 

- To keep your audience up to date about your stuff that you're doing.

- To publicate all your thoughts and things that come into your mind.

- It's a cheap way to communicate.

Negative:

- I do find it hard to keep it up to date and writing new articles and pages.

Ideas being stolen (as you mentioned before)

Ruth Lucas - Blogs - Good or Bad?

Continuing with the debate about blogs, I decided to get in touch with a few students regarding blogs which enabled me to see what they thought about producing a blog.

The first student I got in touch with was, Ruth Lucas. Ruth goes to University of Wales, which is the same as Tom Harle, this is where the link comes into it.

Question and Answers;

1. When participating in a group/individual blog, how do you find it? Do you enjoy it and why?

I enjoy updating my individual blog when I know people are reading it, hopefully people will discover something they didn't know or something they like. At the moment though I suppose I don't really update it enough to get too much enjoyment out of it. I hope this will change in the next few weeks though.

2. I've found that a lot of student's aren't safe with putting there design work up on blogs due to the idea getting stolen. How do you find this. Are you happy to put your work up?

Hmm, good question. I haven't really thought that much about it before - I haven't personally known of anyone I know having their work stolen, but I think you have to be cautious. It'd be a shame if it stopped other students putting their work up on blogs and things as I like browsing other students work to see what they're up to and to get some inspiration. And it's helpful to promote your work whilst you're still studying.

3. Are you pressured into doing a blog, or do you just want to do it to get yourself noticed and more involved with topics?

Bit of both really, my course requires us to produce an on-going 'reflective diary' of the projects we do and I thought it made the most sense to do mine online.

For the first few weeks I kept that up, but soon realized that when I'm forced to do something it sounds really unnatural, so have decided to just post stuff that I like, and things I notice - which is much more interesting and fun!

4. What do you find positive and negative about having a blog?

The negatives: it's hard to motivate yourself to update when you don't have many people reading it. It's also hard finding the time to keep up with saving bookmarks of things you like, taking photos and commenting on other peoples blogs, especially when you have other pressing issues need dealing with like course deadlines and such!

The positives: noticing that people are reading, when you get an occasional comment, the satisfaction once you've posted a new update, and discovering some really nice and inspiring blogs through having your own.

Dave Sedgwick - Blogs - Good or Bad?

Continuing with the debate about blogs, I recently got in touch with Dave Sedgwick. Dave has his own website what is set for his work to be shown off.

Dave has produced some outstanding work in his career, these can be viewed on his website, also his portfolio I found was an inspiration, to show how to constantly design something which is smart, shows the work off an is appealing.

Questions and Answers;

1. Would you recommend that students produce a blog? If so why?

Hmm, to blog or not to blog? Well I'd recommend that students produce blogs that have the possibility to be a bit 'different'. It's easy for people to set one up these days, so the outcome is a multitude of fairly non descript and horrendous ones. If you genuinely think you'll find the time to constantly update with new and interesting topics and work, then go for it. But if you know deep down that there's absolutely no chance you're dragging yourself away from the Playstation or Student Union to update, leave it well alone. It's not worth it. Do a portfolio site instead and simple showcase your own work.

2. A lot of students aren't safe with putting there design's up on blogs due to the idea getting stolen. What would your opinion be on this?

Tough one. I can see why some students might think that, but I don't think it would be much of a concern for me. Work is always getting 'stolen' or plagiarized in this industy. It's part of the course I'm afraid. Most designers, whether individuals or agencies showcase their work online and by doing this they're offereing themselves for criticism as well as anything else.

3. People see blogs as a way to publicize themselves and there work, but a lot of blogs don't get a lot of hits, so what would the purpose of a blog be?

To me a blog needs to be updated regularly, with interesting and informative topics. I want to see something new, something I can't find anywhere else. I want to read short and interesting snippets of information, well written, without loads of bad spelling mistakes or terrible grammar. If I wanted some inane drivel, I'd read The Sun.

4. Finally, what's one positive and one negative about having a blog?

Positive - Blogs offer a chance for students and graduates to showcase their own work as well as presenting their personality and opinions to the outside world.

Tom Harle - Blogs Good or Bad - Part 2

After Tom Harle answered my questions regarding blogs, I asked him who he would recommend to get in touch with regarding this debate. He went onto mention Ben Terrett and David Hyde. 

As noticed I have already been in touch with both these people.

Some posts Tom forwarded to me are:

Link One

Link Two

I'm very thankful to Tom for these links, but yet again I have already read these. This shows I'm looking in the correct places to get my answers. One last thing Tom did suggest I do was to take a look at his course blog from his old College, UWIC.

Michael Murdoch - Blogs - Good or Bad?

Today I emailed Michael Murdoch (Creative Director at The House.) Michael got back to my email within a couple of hours and I was very grateful for this.

Questions and Answers;

1. Would you recommend that students produce a blog? If so why?

Yes. Updates help show other creatives and potential clients you know your stuff and have a passion for design or whatever area you are interested in. Blogs are great for Search Engine Optimisation. Wordpress makes it easy to start a blog in minutes. One thing to note is be careful what you write. . remember the blog goes out to the world so make sure what you say is accurate and you happy to defend it.

2. A lot of students aren't safe with putting there design's up on blogs due to the idea getting stolen. What would your opinion be on this?

Ideas will always be stolen. It is unlikely that an idea uploaded will be completely original in any case, so I would not worry too much. Images on the web are of poor quality for print so the actual image is unlikely to be reproduced. Slap a Copyright symbol on the web and you're covered. The problem is proving your idea has been stolen. The web is about sharing, so relax and share.

3. People see blogs as a way to publicize themselves and there work, but a lot of blogs don't get a lot of hits, so what would the purpose of a blog be?

It's about relevant hits. If you talk about design you want other designers to look and potential clients. So target these people. Write in relevant blogs, tell everyone you meet you have a blog, talk about it on Twitter, mention it on Facebook. There's no point in making a blog and then hiding it. Blogs can get hits, it's all about marketing first and hard work.

4. Finally, what's one positive and negative about having a blog?

Negs: Blogs can be ugly. Use a new theme or develop your own. Keep titles bold and clear and make it easy for the end user to get snippets of info. Navigation in blog is also normally a nightmare.

Pros: Good for SEO. Easy to communicate your message. Good for sharing!

Neil Ayres - Blogs - Good or Bad?

Continuing the debate on blogs, I emailed Neil Ayres. Neil works with Creative Review so the response I should receive should of been very helpful.

At the time I emailed Neil, he was very busy due to the vast amount of work he had going on. With this the main priority he emailed me back saying he will email me again responding to the questions by the end of the week.

As the week came to an end Neil emailed me again, but unfortunately he was still busy with work. Although this time he did respond to the email, he couldn't answer's the questions in full due to how busy his schedule was.

Neil went on to say, "Obviously from a publishing perspective, blogging makes a good deal of sense, if done properly. In relation to design, I think our readers might be better placed to address that question." He also went on to say how I should keep my eye out on the CR blog, due to how they are going to post up a weekly question, with one of them regarding blogs. This is something I am going to keep my eye out for, this due to, how this will be very helpful with my debate, and also, I will be able to read into a lot of other people's opinions on it.

Tom Harle - Blogs - Good or Bad?

Continuing my debate on blogs - Good or Bad - I emailed Tom Harle.

Tom runs his own blog, also Tom is a graduate creative in Cardiff and London.

Question and Answers;

1. Would you recommend that students produce a blog? If so why?

I would recommend that students do something, but whether it's a blog that they do depends entirely on the kind of work they see themselves doing when leave for the outside world. There is flickr, tumbir, delicious, twitter and a loads of other ways to be publicly online, it doesn't have to be a straight up 'blog'. The problem is that just producing beautiful print work, although it may get you into creative review from time to time, won't prove to anyone who's just come across your work that you have any of the skills or awareness we need as designers now. I was amazed how little digital work there was at D&AD this year, but nearly all branding and advertising is now considered with the internet at least near its core (if it isn't it should be). The advantage of a blog, or whatever online, is that it allows a student to explore their interests over time, make connections with other bloggers, and prove to any professionals out there that you are serious about what you say you are, more than you could with a single cover letter or portfolio session.

2. A lot of students aren't safe with putting their designs up on blogs due to the idea getting stolen. What would your opinion be on this?

Thats a danger whether work is online or not - look at episodes like the Kozy'n'dan rabbit/sony brava commercial. And I would say that it doesn't really have to be about students' own work. I'll come back to this in question three, but for now I'll just say it's really about deciding what you want from your blog - if your just passionate about design, surely you want to share that with people? If you're just doing it 'for the CV', then aren't you getting a head start by potentially showing people your work before the June of your (and 20,000 other people's) graduation ceremonies? Either way, my own personal opinion of a traditional blog is that it's an opportunity to explore whatever about design or the creative arts that fascinate you, show how your work relates, and link up with other people who share that love - whether they can offer you a job or just engage you in stimulating conversation.

3. People see blogs as a way to publicize themselves and their work - but a lot of blogs don't get a lot of hits - so what should the purpose of a blog be?

I Think it's really defeatist to think of it that way - If you believe that what you have to say or show is good enough, then you have to stick with it. No one's going to check your blog as soon as you've done a first post, the internet doesn't work like that. As young creatives we need to be out there on other people's blogs, having conversations, discussing other work and generally being as keen online as we are in person. Once that starts to seep around the internet, then you see the hits to your own blog go up. Hopefully, your work, if you're showing it, will be strong enough to get passed around a bit as well.

4. Finally, what's one positive and negative about having a blog?

The main negative is that you have to keep posting regularly, but that's also a real positive - it gets you constantly evaluating the world around you and trying to establish your own opinions on the issues, looking for ideas that you can talk about. I find that trying to put my thoughts into words is a really useful way of working out exactly what those thoughts are.