Tube Map

Recently the London Underground pocket tube map has had a new cover designed for it, this was designed by Barbara Kruger. The new cover has took away the station names and replaced them with one-word words that relate to that part of the city for the artist.

This is a nice idea to have for instance Embankment has been replaced with Brilliance. This is probably down to the amazing architecture around that part of London . . . that's how I see it anyway.

Overall this is a good idea for a new cover, it could lead to more opportunities. You could get the public sending in their own versions of this and the most popular ones could lead to another new cover.

Ambient Media

These are a collection of some ambient media that I have come across and I think are really powerful.

These are all strong pieces of work, which have made me go . . . 'I wish I was the one who came up with that idea.' The animal piece which looks like that the pole has stabbed the animal to kill it is a very powerful piece of work which gives such a strong message out even if you don't read what the ad is about.

The Vix bus shelter ad is a very clever idea. I like how they've made out that when the the person breathes up/in it's that powerful and clear the whole ad moves.

Graffiti Snake

Recently I was researching into graffiti as this is something what appeals to me.

Upon my search I came across this image of a snake what someone had done in America.

When I stumbled upon this, I was like wow, I really like this. No, it's not the best drawing of a snake or the most detailed, but how many times do you see a snake interacting with a stair case?

I really like how this person has interacted his art into an element what's around everywhere. This makes the piece more fun and creative instead of a simple painting on a wall.

Signature Balloons

Recently for my final major project I purchased some balloons what illuminated in the dark.

Now these was purchased from a company called Signature Balloons.

I've never used this company before never mind hear it so I didn't know what to expect.

Upon arrival of the goods I opened the packaging and found that they had sent me some free chocolate coins. Straight away this put a smile on my face.

It made me feel like they appreciate my custom, it's not like you go out buy something and people will give you a little freebie as a thank you because you've bought something from them.

With my custom feeling appreciated so much I will make sure I use them again in the future.

David Sedgwick Vs. Mike Rigby

In the three years of studying Graphic Design at Stockport College we have some a fair few practitioners come in from the outside to speak to us about different things such as; their work, life after graduation, how important placements are and what it's like working in the industry.

Deciding who to do my last design comparison on wasn't an easy task considering the amount of designers I've seen over the last three years. When thinking about it, I decided to choose two designers who stood out to me more than the rest. One of these designers was Dave Sedgwick, Dave is my favourite designer to date and the other was Mike Rigby, I chose him because of the impact of his talk with us.

Dave is an ex Manchester Metropolitan student during his time there he worked as a freelancer to get a bit of extra money in which is always a bonus. David has been on placements with Flux Magazine in the Northern Quarter, Splinter in Liverpool and Dinosaur.

Mike is an ex Preston University student. Mike has worked for companies such as, Imagination, Chase (Manchester,) Moon Design, Pentagram and Landor Sydney.

When Dave did his talk he spoke about how serious we take things. This to me is something that stood out and was very striking. As we are students the majority of us are very laidback people who don't think that far ahead, but as we are all trying to make it into the design industry this is something that we should do, the people who are more serious about it have that advantage straight away. Dave's tips was that 'we should be more determined to be successful and being more involved.' Certain things Dave did when he realized this was how he researched into design companies so he could try and get portfolio viewings etc.

When Mike did his talk he approached it very differently to how everyone else. Mike did his talk about the good and negative points about being a designer. Some of the good points about working in an industry like that are; easy to work for yourself, easy to work abroad, all the free parties and people in the industry are very helpful. Although as we all know with everything there's bad points to it, the negative points about being a designer are; long hours/unpaid overtime, poor quality of work and the pressure on you.

Overall these two designer's did their talk differently. For instance Dave did his talk in a big lecture theatre, this resulted in there being more people in the talk, more pressure on us to ask questions, whereas Mike did his talk in the classroom which I found was more relaxing and when at the end we asked questions it was a lot more relaxed we didn't feel like the question was going to be daft and embarrass us or something like that.

In the end both designers did their talks very different, but both was very enjoyable. It didn't matter to me where the presentation was because each talk is interesting and their is always something, big or small, that amazes you with what is said in each presentation.

Portfolio Visit

Recently I went on a portfolio visit with a free lancer called Angela Woosey.

I came across Angela through word of mouth and the fact she lives relatively close to me.

Unfortunately Angela doesn't have her own website where she puts her work on.

The feedback I got from Angela was really impressive. She really liked the posters I have created for the British Literature Festival, how I use space and I'm not scared to be minimalistic on my designs.

One thing Angela recommended was, that I should try and further my projects so they well stand out even more, also it allows people to show that I don't just do the brief and think it's finished.

Portfolio Visit

Recently I went on a portfolio visit to Reform Creative in Manchester.

Initially I was suppose to see Paul but unfortunately he had to rush out in the morning due to a business meeting, which meant I had the portfolio visit with Jamie instead. I had no complaints with this because I still got someone to look at my portfolio.

When Jamie was looking through my work he seemed to be really impressed with my final major project (MOSI promotion) the flyer for the Brass Band Museum in Birmingham and some other pieces I've done.

Jamie spoke about how he liked how the idea of each piece of work was there and mentioned how it tied in with a company like Reform.

The feedback was really good from Jamie, his feedback of detail was really impressive and very helpful.

Overall the visit was really good even if it didn't go according to plan.

Crazy Old Spice Commericals

Whilst on Facebook recently a friend of mine shared this video with the Facebook community.

When I watched this video I actually thought what the?!

What kind of commercial is this?

Who would actually want there product being promoted like that!

I've never seen something so bad in my life, I don't know who actually came up with the idea for the body wash to be promoted like that but if it was me I wouldn't be proud to admit to it.

If I was Terry Crews I would of asked myself, what made him do that commercial. Are you that skint to want to do it?

Maybe it was because he's an ex-American football player, and an actor (he's been in the film White Chicks, Friday film series and Everybody hates Chris) that the only reason the commercial got done like this is because he's somebody people already know.

I don't know what it is but this is something what is actually horrendous!

Lemonade Illustration Agency

On my FMP (Final Major Project) I'm doing some work which involves illustration.

Whilst researching into some illustration I came across an agency called Lemonade Illustration Agency.

On here there's over 40 different artists portfolio who all do illustration. All of these are of a high exceptional standard. They vary from cartoons, to illustration vehicles, to illustrated people, to illustrated objects.

The one's that stood out to me (just for the relevance) was the work of David Swang, Todd Graveline (he's got an awesome website!) and lastly Gary Swift.

Decathlon Ads

Whilst researching into typography I came across these Decathlon Ads.

These to me where something different, we don't usually see these type of ads around so it's great to see something different. I really like how they use the word to exaggerate the object.

Overall I like how the typography links into sports venues/objects to make the word more powerful, and the actual ad more powerful.

Moving Typography

Whilst researching for moving typography, I came across these video's on youtube.

The reason I like this video is because I like how a story/conversation is being spoken yet the typography movement is giving it that extra special element.

This video was really impressive. How this person has created something like this out of just typography (and obviously software of some sort) is something unbelievable. This is something I wish I could create.

Portfolio Visits

I have lined up two portfolio visits with Reform and Like A River for the upcoming week or two.

Stay posted for feedback on they visit.

Dew Gibbons

Whilst in London a few of us went and visited Dave from Dew Gibbons.

Dew Gibbons is a brand design company.

Whilst there Dave took us on a tour of the whole office area (consisted of three floors,) he went through a slide-show of the work the company create, he shown us what awards the company has won as well.

Dave also went on to talk about what it's like moving away from where you've grown up and moving into a whole new area of living not knowing anybody. He mentioned the average salary for a young designer to be on in London and how it works up with time.

Whilst visiting Dave I was really impressed. Soon as he answered the door we felt welcomed, he greeted us shook our hand etc, really warming. I was really impressed with the quality of work the company has created the amount of awards they've also won as well is something special.

Even when we met all the other staff who worked there, they was all warming and welcoming saying hello, shaking our hands as well, none of them was stuck up which was something I like seeing. At the end Dave gave us his card saying how he would look at our portfolio's and give us some feedback if we liked to do so.

Overall it was a great experience, and I'm glad I went and visited Dave when I had the chance.

MOSI - London

Whilst in London I went and visited the M.O.S.I in London. I did this because I wanted to compare this one to the one in Manchester due to research purposes for my final major project I'm currently doing in University. Whilst visiting the M.O.S.I straight away my first impression was how much of a better museum this is compared to the one in Manchester. This was due to straight away the security there was much more secure, the quality of the whole exhibitions themselves was an improvement on Manchester.

Each exhibition space was well lit, they was all very spacious and the quality of the objects there was much more impressive than Manchester. When in the Manchester museum, there was a barrier around all the objects being exhibited which to me was a let down, but yet you can understand because there's always that chance that the object can get damaged or stolen.

Over all I enjoyed visiting the MOSI in London much more than the Manchester one. Yes they both was free, yes they both had trains in them, yes they both had rockets or space objects in them, but the London one was just more enjoyable.

The interacting events which was thrown were enjoyable and funny, you wasn't surrounded by kids or anything like that so you wasn't frustrated with how compact how the space was. The London venue just had that extra something with everything which means a lot in end.

London

At the start of March I went down to London for a few days, visiting the place, researching and then with the possibility of having a portfolio visit whilst down there.

When down there I went and visited such places as the V&A Museum, MOSI London and Dew Gibbons design company and Westminster - being there you know how it feels to be a tourist in London.

Visiting such places as them make you realize how different London is to Manchester. For example the museums down there are more exciting, the quality of them is something what Manchester can't compete with. Even the little details like the lighting of the places, or how compact the places are is something that don't compare. I mean for example when I visited the MOSI in London they offered so much more than the Manchester museum. Here they had over four floors, each exhibition floor was very spacious, not packed, which allowed you to view each piece of art (or whatever it was) much better.

Whilst down there you think to yourself how dear must it be to live down in London (well I did anyway.) This was due to the costs of things down there. I stayed in Kings Cross so the amount of shops down there was not a struggle. I mean the price of a soft drink down there is ridiculous, your hitting £1.40 in some places just for a simple 500ml bottle. When you was getting food, jesus, how expensive! It was like £6 for a simple subway! You every wonder why people get payed more down there? Simple answer, IT COSTS MORE TO LIVE THERE!

Something I wasn't used to down there was using the underground, but using it was so easy! Why people get scared of using it I will never know. It's easy as 1 2 3. Living in Manchester we only have the Metrolink, something I don't use really, but one thing I would love to see is an underground up here. Liverpool have one so why not Manchester? I know our Metro is getting expanded but it's still not as good as an underground now is it.

Overall whilst down there I thoroughly enjoyed my time down there, it's something I'm already looking into doing again in the future, but someone who didn't enjoy being down there was my bank balance! Bad times.

V&A London - Decode

Whilst on a University trip in London, I went and visited the V&A in London (Victoria and Albert.) Whilst there I went and viewed the exhibition Decode.

Decode is an exhibition that has been collaborated between the V&A and OneDotZero, a contemporary arts organisation.

The exhibition is explores three themes;

Code presents pieces that use computer code to create new works and looks at how code can be programmed to create constantly fluid and ever-changing works.

Interactivity looks at works that are directly influenced by the viewer.

Network focuses on works that comment on and utilise the digital traces left behind by everyday communications and looks at how advanced technologies and the internet have enabled new types of social interaction and mediums of self-expression.

When I visited Decode, I was partially interested with what I saw, but on the other hand I felt down a bit. This was due to how people was saying how good of an exhibition it is, and how I should go and see it, but when I was there all the build up was for that. Yes it was interesting with how art can be created for technology and I'm glad I visited it, but on the other hand I didn't find it inspiring in one bit, I couldn't generate any ideas from it to do with my work.

Chiquita Bananas

Chiquita bananas have recently had a re-brand done for them. The brief was to make bananas more cool.

When I first starting looking at the new designs for Chiquita, I wondered what they first was. When I looked into it further I realized each sticker was a good/bad cartoon character. The bad characters are supposedly meant to represent the idea of not letting your idea go bad, and the good characters are suppose to meant be a good banana.

When I read this it actually didn't make sense to me, too me they were just stickers which would attract young children to eating more fruit. Also they bring a bit of fun and laughter to the older age group who buy fruit.

Overall I'm sure people will like the stickers on the bananas due to the humor in them.

Fairy Liquid Anniversary

As we all know recently Fairy Liquid have celebrated there 50th Anniversary.

With this they decided to bring back out the old design for the Fairy Liquid bottle.

When you see the anniversary bottle, it makes you think to yourself, is the old bottle better than the actual new one?

The original bottle had the simple, distinctive look. The simplicity of the design on the bottle meant that it was very simplistic and very easy to notice. Although some people might prefer the up to date design, what the children will like most, is the fact that they can go back to making rockets out of there empty Fairy Liquid bottle.

In my opinion, I prefer the original bottle design for Fairy Liquid, washing up liquid isn't to do with how good the bottle looks, but with the original design for Fairy Liquid everybody knows what to expect, just the simple white bottle with the baby on and the word 'Fairy.' This is something the customers buying it couldn't miss, also the fact they brought the bottle back out brings back memories for people from back in the day.

Mike Rigby Talk

On the 26th November (2009) Mike Rigby came in and gave us a talk about his experience's too date about being in the industry, also too give us some tips on about how to be successful in the industry.

Mike studied at Preston University for four years, since University he's worked at companies such as Imagination, Chase (Manchester) Moon Design, Pentagram and Landor Sydney.

Why Design?

It's interesting also challenging, it's not like any other job, especially being in a call centre stuck in an office 9 - 5.

Great education. No two jobs you get in the industry are the same, so you can always expect something each time you get a new brief.

All the award ceremonies you get to go too, I mean how many other job's do you get that in - obviously apart from being a sportsman/woman.

All the free nights out, and free christmas parties, who would complain about that?

Strong design community - everybody knows everyone.

People in the industry are very helpful.

Easy to work for yourself.

Easy to work abroad.

Positive Impact

Communication you produce with your work.

You produce better design than what's already out there.

Negative Impact

Competition from other deisgners.

Long hours/unpaid overtime.

Pressure on you.

Poor quality of work out there.

Initial pay isn't good.

Client interference - restricts you on how you want to design something.

Placements

Mike had a couple of placements, one was at Imagination in London and the other was at Chase Manchester. The good thing about going on placements is that they speed you up, working on real live projects, networking and yet again free nights out!

One tip that Mark gave us all was if given the chance WORK ABROAD!

Snow Photography

Whilst away this christmas as we all know we had a fair bit of snow.

So with this I decided to take some pictures of the scenery I seen/visited. Bare in mind these where took on my camera phone because my digital camera broke . . . the joys.

Bad Typography

One thing one seems to annoy me is bad typography!

Yes, I'm not the best at English in the world, but when you state obvious spelling mistakes it just gets on your tits.

For example on this example, a simple miss spelling of 'off' makes the big difference.

Maybe the bad spelling is bad, but another thing what annoys me is when the word is split up, like there's a letter missing off the word.

I mean for example, how hard is it on the 'out of order' sign to change the size of the text so the whole word 'order' fits on the line?