Sunday 31 October 2010

Front Row Glamour 2010

This was a huge success last year, and it's a brilliant venue - make sure you don't miss it - tickets on sale now.

A GLAMOUR FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA

Join the team of FRONT ROW for a night of glamour & glitz to celebrate all things vintage, up-cycled, customized and gorgeous!

At 6:30 pm enter the stunning halls of St. Mary in the Castle with a fantastic arm candy goody bag and a glass of sparkling wine and treat yourself to a browse around the abundant vintage stalls tucked into the alcoves of the auditorium. You can even get your retro make up done for the night at our exclusive beauty corner hosted by Betty Flowers: You Make Me Blush

At 7:30 pm be blown away by our talented designers taking recycling and vintage glamour to new heights in the


FRONT ROW Fashion Catwalk Show featuring

La La Rookh Vintage**
Katie Rose Whiting (London)**
Paper Couture**
Warp & Wheft**
Lady K Loves**
Zoe Spencer**
Loulou Cousins**
Little Treasures**
(and more to be confirmed)

We'll also be showcasing glamourous vintage evening wear hand selected from the St. Michael's Hospice & Marie Curie Charity Shops and the winners of our Charity Shop Challenge Competition (see www.frontrowrecycled.blogspot.com for details) will be awarded.


For the Love of Glamour - this is a night not to be missed!


Tickets will be on sale from ODD (Old Town), The Bullet Cafe (Robertson St), St. Mary-in-the-Castle and The Hastings Information Centre soon.


First 100 limited edition tickets sold will receive a goody bag on the night. Look out for our flyers & posters for details.

PS: DRESS UP IN YOUR MOST STUNNING OUTFIT!

Timetable, week starting November 1st

FDA1 Monday November 1st

New Brief with Terry Lewis - Water & Wine ( week 1 of 3 )

FDA1 Tuesday November 2nd

David Fowler continues new brief - Water & Wine ( week 1 of 3 )

Richard will also be starting tutorials.

FDA1 Wednesday November 3rd

2D design with Karen Wilks - week 1 of 4

FDA2 Wednesday November 3rd

Photography with John Reynolds - week 1 of 3

FDA2 Thursday 4th / Friday 5th

Design for Print - new module - Dystopia.

Friday 29 October 2010

Random Fridays

Don't forget - it's tonight at the De La Warr, and it's FREE!

Hastings Moths Project.

Went to see these yesterday - they are just off the Seafront at the bottom of the Bourne - an example of 'clean' grafitti.

Thursday 28 October 2010

S Neil Fujita





















The legendary and innovative American Designer as died at the age of 89. Plenty of obits out there already - the one in the New York Times is fairly comprehensive.

'Life After Armaggedon'

C5 - 9pm tonight ( Thursday ) - would possibly support the book project for FDA2

One-off docudrama presenting a vision of a world left devastated by a deadly flu pandemic. The film imagines the plight of one ordinary suburban family, who are forced to fight for survival in the post-apocalyptic landscape.

It has had no real advertising - it's from America and 2 hours long, from the same team as 'Life After People '- there have been several attempts to film something like this recently ( Heatwave, End days etc ) - but there could be something you could use for research. 

It's also available on youtube here, it's from The History Chanel and looks quite interesting.

Wednesday 27 October 2010

Handmade font / Book Cover

























This is really lovely - it's the rejected work for a Zadie Smith book cover - it exactly fits the brief you have for the FDA2 publishing module and corresponds to the Hybrid Type font you had last year.

The post includes the full font.

Guerrilla Filmmking Workshop

The MEC are running an excellent workshop on Saturday 4th December for anyone interested in the skills needed for film or animation - I have all the details, places are limited - so drop me a line directly if you are interested.

Word Clouds.




















From the Office of National Statistics - a word cloud graphic to demonstrate popular trends in baby names for 2010. Font Size indicates popularity.

Random Fridays at The De La Warr

Back after it's summer break, and it's all free!!! Starts this week - full details here.

On The Map

As part of the Brighton Photo Fringe - a journey around Hastings and St Leonards', details here.

D&AD and YCN 2010/11

The briefs will all be live by Monday and I'll introduce them to you all on Thursday ( FDA2 ).

Designers Identities


























Article about the new book by Liz Farrelly - I've already ordered this for the Library.

Speed Creating

Nice idea here from the London Design Festival - might have a look at something similar for us.


"One such project was Dominic Wilcox’s Speed Creating Project, which saw Wilcox create a thing a day for 30 days. The items were objects, installations or creative interventions made while Wilcox was going about his daily life - so on the train, in the studio or at home."

Independent 'i'

Interesting review of the 'i' paper - first new British newspaper for 25 years.

Creative Review Roundup

From the CR blog, some interesting work - including the indent for the Electric Proms - of special interest to FDA 1 who need to look at this carefully.... I'll tell you why after xmas.

Type in the Environment





















Great article about illuminated lettering in London Victoria - of particular interest to FDA 1 who have some appropriate briefs coming up.

Social Networks.

Penguin books announce the move towards a more social network platform for their existing Spinebreakers site - along the model of myspace, interesting idea and one for FDA2 to consider when they approach their publishing module and the subsequent competition briefs.

Additionally - myspace will re brand as my_______ in an attempt to revitalise the failing brand and re-define the focus towards new music. The new look is live in the USA now - and comes here next month.

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Tony Wilson's Gravestone














































Thanks to Erica from Hastings Creatives for passing this on - Tony ( Anthony H ) Wilson finally has his gravestone only 3 years after his untimely and sad death. Designed by Peter Saville ( ..really, who else ) it's a fitting tribute. Tony was a great man and one of the most important cultural figures of the last 30 years.

Friday 22 October 2010

Street Photography competition

Details here, it's already started but looks like something everyone can get involved with over the year.

Coffee Shop presentation / FDA2






















This is the standard of final board presentation a client would expect from a working professional. Clean, well presented, plenty of white space - good, simple, polished delivery. Click on the image for a better look.

Comments are Back

Please think before posting... anyone who was in the studio on Thursday morning will know what happens when I get close to losing my temper.

I'm very happy for you all to get involved with the blog and discus / debate anything here - and please keep sending in suggestions for posts and links.

Mixing fonts

Very nice and elegant article here about how to mix fonts together, well written and presented.

Thursday 21 October 2010

Simon Garfield talks Type.

Video from The Guardian with Simon Garfield talking about his new book 'Just My Type' - really interesting.

FDA2 links - DesignWorkLife

I was up early so I spend ten mins on Designworklife. One of many graphic design resource blogs.

The strapline for this site is 'cataloging daily inspiration' - which pretty much sums it up - half an hour every day exposing yourself to creative, well finished world from around the world is the least we can do to stay at the top of our game in this economic climate.

As FDA 2 students you should all be really aware of what is happening in the industry, following trends - looking at the standard of other peoples presentation and making efforts to compete on the same level. You should all be thinking about getting your own work ready to submit to these sites - it's really good publicity and networking for you - you get great exposure and it's brilliant for your CV.

I found that they had a section for book jackets here -

- which included great work by Lucy Stephens and Jarod Taylor, I really like these posters for The Black Keys - the brown background makes them much more interesting, and they have an interesting and sophisticated retail design that useses typography as a pattern, a bit like your camoflage brief.

There are also several coffee shop concepts, this one is fun and this one is beautifully presented - to the standard we expect from you at this stage.

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Guardian Greatest Films Countdown

You can get all the information as a download from here

2011 Penguin Design Award

This year - design a cover for the book One Hundred Year of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquex.

For the Puffin Children's design award, students are invited to design a cover for Roald Dahl's James and The Giant Peach.

The website is here.

Entrepreneur Q&A Enterprise Workshop

Come along to this workshop if you want to learn from the experiences of - and mistakes made by - two enterprising graduates from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Brighton. These graduates are now running their own creative practices in the areas of illustration & graphic design, and visual arts & performance.

Jeff Driver is co-founder of the innovative design company Spoon and Fork Ltd. and a talented, multi-skilled postgraduate with work place and freelance experience in the design industry link

Marina Tsartsara is a talented multi-disciplinary screendance and performance artist, who has just been awarded a grant from the Arts Council for England for a community arts project in East Sussex. In addition to her performance and choreography work, she is in the process of setting up a company which will specialise in digital film and performance arts.



Entrepreneur Q&A Enterprise Workshop

Thursday 28th October, 2-4pm


University Centre Hastings


FREE to members & first time course attendees, £10 to others

SPS Orangutan T Shirt Competition

The competition, which is open until 26 November, tasks students or professional designers to create a shirt which will be sold online and at events.

The designs must reference themes supplied by SOS, such as threats faced by the ape, the value of biodiversity, the rainforest ecosystem or how SOS helps the orangutan. Designers can submit a maximum of three designs and there are two categories: tshirts for adults and for children.



Link to DW Blog here.

Map of social interactivity

Interesting little aside on the Map brief - this chap has drawn a map to represent social interaction online - imagining sectors as land masses to 'humanise' the technical and virtual - link here.

Find your font

Response to the Guardian article I have already posted, here.

FDA1 - read this and think about it - it directly relates to some work you have coming up soon

Some more competitions

You know how keen I am on these - so keep them coming please. One is for a movie poser - that's handy! Found by FDA1 Olga.

Fadeitout Books



Link here to the main Fadeitout site, as described below. The range and quality of book designs here should really help FDA2 students to realise how much freedom they have with the book design brief after half term - and also the quality I'm looking for. All this work is really interesting and exciting - and none of it is mundane or 'book' as you might expect it.

I'm expecting you to do your own research over half term - so start getting some references together now.

Calling al FDA2 students



























Really important work here on the link to fadeitout books - showing the design process and finished product ( with video ) for Jim Tierney's Jules Verne books covers.

Really useful to see how the work was developed - and how fresh, rich and visually exciting the finished product is. All the text is hadnd drawn and itegrates with the images - really good use of colour and very imaginitive - but approprate at the same time.

Don't forget - you have a book design module after half term!

Tuesday 19 October 2010

More on the Design Research Unit.

From the Creative Review blog, click here.

Moving Stamps... why didn't anyone think of this?

The world's "smallest and shortest film" appears on a new lenticular stamp created for the Dutch postal service TNT. KesselsKramer asked director Anton Corbijn to shoot the one-second film, which features actress Carice van Houten...

The Amsterdam and London-based agency were commissioned to "develop new innovations in stamps" and the result is a small lenticular stamp that contains 30 frames of film.

Corbijn's film, at a mere one-second in length, is a strange little thing. Dutch actress Carice van Houten stands in front of a windmill facing the camera and proceeds to bite down on an unidentified finger.

....see it in action here

Really good competition





















Smile for London is the name of a new initiative designed to introduce great, non-commercial visuals to the gloomy environs of London Underground stations – via the freshly installed equipment that projects ads onto selected platforms of stations in central London...

The plan is that for two weeks from January 17, 2011, Smile for London (SfL) - in conjunction with its media partner CBS Outdoor UK (which owns and manages the projectors) will be taking over the platform screens on weekday mornings during rush hour. A programme of film, art and animation will showcase the best of London's emerging and established creative talent. Also, during the evening rush hour, the screens will display listings and previews of art events coming up in the capital.

"This is a hugely exciting project for us," says Jo Kotas, co-founder of Smile for London. "We want to celebrate the creative talents of our city and at the same time lift the spirits of London's commuters. The project has already captured the imagination of some very talented and respected individuals. We hope to extend this support to the whole of London as the campaign grows so it becomes a permanent London fixture."

SfL is on the hunt for non-commercial animation, film or motion graphic pieces - up to 20 seconds long - to potentially showcase on the screens in January. You can find details of how to submit work on the website - but please be aware there is no sound / speakers attached to the projectors in the underground so all submissions for this SfL programme must be silent. You can submit work to via a dedicated Smile for London Vimeo group.

For more info about Smile for London, and to download the brief for submissions in full, visit smileforlondon.com/

Anybook Design Award

Interesting chance to enter written or visual work for a new print on demand project.

Mapping





































Found this, very interesting. I know the map brief finishes tomorrow - but nothing ever 'ends'. I still think about ways to solve project briefs I had at college, and all the work here is designed to reinforce each other. Everything you learn in this project runs on and into everything else we give you.

Sussex Coast Collee Art Prize, opening Exhibition

The recent devastation of Hastings Pier will cast a poignant light on an exhibition opening in Hastings Town Centre on 8 November 2010. Arcadia is a long-planned installation by St. Leonard’s artist, Danny Pockets, exploring the glory and vulnerability of the pier and examines its social and physical architecture.  

The work is the winning submission to the new Sussex Coast College Art Prize, which is run by Sussex Coast College Hastings with support from the Jerwood Foundation.  Pockets was awarded the £3,000 prize in July 2010 by a panel of judges who included Alan Haydon (De La Warr Pavilion), Elizabeth Gilmore (Jerwood Gallery) and Sarah Williams (Jerwood Space).

Pockets is an associate artist at The School Creative Centre, Rye, who has been working on studies for a piece about Hastings Pier for a number of years and describes the structure as ‘a beautiful testament to our connection with the elements, that reaches out to the horizon and allows us a moment’s freedom from terra firma’.  Winning the prize has finally given the artist the space and backing to complete his project. The installation is the first joint project between the Jerwood Foundation and the Circle Gallery and is ‘a three-dimensional drawing in wood, steel, light and sound’.

Pockets, who trained at Chelsea and The London City and Guilds School of Art, uses a unique visual language that crosses the creative spectrum – incorporating paint, film, sound, performance and structure.  His work focuses on everyday cornerstones of communities, such as chip shops, café’s and small independent businesses which he views as being, ‘negated by a wave of homogenisation and indifference’. By referencing these as objects d’art, his work highlights need to ‘preserve these vestiges of cultural identity before they slip away’.

 Pockets recognises that the catastrophic blaze which ravaged the pier on 6th October may affect how people view Arcadia. He intends the installation to be experienced as a ‘homage to’ and not a ‘requiem for’ the historic landmark. Pockets says ‘I hope the pier sub-structure has survived the blaze and will, in future, support a pier which continues to be a place to think, walk, talk, laugh, hold hands and dream, eat ice cream, jive, boogie, waltz, pogo, twist, head-bang or rave…and keep the glory of the  English seaside town alive’.

Arcadia will be open to the public from Monday 8th November.

Monday 18 October 2010

Shadow Catchers

Really good link from FDA 1 Mel, camera-less photography at the V&A, link here.

Wallpaper custom covers

Interesting idea - sent in by FDA2 ( yes, that's two) Dan - reminds me a bit of what Carmen was trying to do with her stamp project - very inventive,

RSA Lecture, Changing Educational Parafigms

Really interesting, well presented and informative 10 min lecture - I strongly agree with the content and hopefully this will explain how i like to teach. I think that every student is an individual with their own unique abilities - but that you must all strive to be out of the ordinary and mundane.

Get yourself a cup of tea - sit down, relax and pay attention.

Mid Century Hi-Fi literature

One of the designers I work with in America sent me this, he knew I'd like it.

Mid Century classic print from Monoscope

First new British Daily paper for 25 years

Independent i


Alexander Lebedev's Independent is to launch a new compact weekday newspaper, called i, targeting groups including "lapsed readers of quality papers" and those wanting a "comprehensive digest of news".
The title, which will go on sale next Tuesday priced 20p, will publish Monday to Friday and has been designed to complement the Independent, which will remain on sale at £1. MediaGuardian.co.uk revealed on Friday that the Independent was planning to launch a new 20p daily.
"i is specifically targeted at readers and lapsed readers of quality newspapers and those of all ages," the publisher said. "i will combine intelligence with brevity and depth with speed of reading, providing an essential daily briefing."
The Independent is also getting an overhaul with a "distinctive new look and feel" to be introduced in line with the launch of i. The new title is being overseen by Simon Kelner, the editor-in-chief of the Independent and Independent on Sunday.
"With the launch of i, we are again doing something radical and new, creating a paper for today that retains the essential qualities of the Independent," said Kelner.
The publisher claims the title is the first quality daily newspaper to launch in almost 25 years, since the Independent.

Experimental Travel - Lonely Planet Guide

FDA 1 Olga forwarded this interesting site and reference from the Lonely Planet Experimental Travel guide - a good reference to anyone thinking a bit deeper about the map Project. Wednesday is your last 'taught' day on this brief - but we expect you to continue thinking about all your work and will refer back to each project as we work through the academic year.

The main site is here and you can track down the book via Amazon on here.

Slab Serifs

Article forwarded by Top-Up Tom P, about the history of the Slab Serif face - from Typography.com

Slab serifs, now two centuries old, were chaotic from the start. Opinions differ as to whether the style was an import from signwriting to typography or vice versa, but by the second decade of the nineteenth century there were both painted and printed slab serifs throughout metropolitan London. The poet Robert Southey first recorded the word “Egyptian” in connection with the style in 1807 (Napoleon had returned from Egypt in 1799, sparking a wave of Egyptomania throughout Europe), and by the following decade all of the major British foundries had produced slab serif typefaces under different names that evoked the ancient world. “Egyptian” survives as a term for slab serifs, along with “Ionic” (now chiefly associated with bracketed faces of the Century model); “Doric” was popular as well. But the very first slab serif printing type, made in 1815 by the master British typefounder Vincent Figgins, went by the name Antique.

Cultural Regeneration Stratergy

Article on the latest developments at the Council Chamber regarding the Cultural regeneration of Hastings and St Leonards

Sunday 17 October 2010

Timetable - week starting October 18th

FDA 1

Monday October 18th.

Studio day with Richard. I will have a short session in the morning about Adobe Indesign - it's a really simple, useful program that you can pick up as you go along. If anyone wants to talk to me abut Illustrator or Photoshop - now is a good time. We expect you to continue self tuition on the software packages - and ask a member of the teaching staff if you have any questions or need help - they are really important tools and not being able to use them properly will hold you back.

In the afternoon - I need your finished photographs from your day in Brighton, looking at typography in the Environment. I also want to talk to you about a couple of practical issues that have come up in the last few days. As this is the last week before the half term - we need to get everything finished off and any questions answered - after the break is a totally new work program leading up to Christmas - so talk to me about anything that you need to discuss.

I addition - I want to talk to you about Film Club, and we need to elect a class rep, and I'm going to brief you on a piece of research you can do over the break that supports the first brief when you get back.

Tuesday October 19th

Studio Session day with Gary Neill. This is your final day with Gary - he's been really impressed by your attitude and application. As this is just part of the Ideas Generation module - we are marking you on the groups you are working in - however, it's really important to understand that it's not the finished result that we are looking at - but your development and creative investment So, well dome all of you.

Wednesday October 20th.

Studio Session day with myself and David Fowler to resolve the Map brief and present in the afternoon. As we have an academic board meeting at 3.30 that myself and David must attend - I'm going to do this straight after lunch. Some really interesting work so far - so make sure you are ready to talk at 1.30pm.

James Caspian from The Moving Men Project will be in the department from 5pm - 6pm to review your work and make his selection.


FDA 2

Wednesday October 20th

Studio session day with Karen Wilkes. Karen was really pleased last week, she saw lots of positive progress and development in your work since last year - and most of you understood that last years work already looked dated and poorly presented. The final submissions for the Stamp Brief were really well put together ( Terry has them all ) and she can also help you with the 3 boards you need to present on Friday for the Coffee Shop brief. Remember - I emphasised PROFESSIONAL standards of presentation, ask Karen her opinion of what she sees and act on it.

In addition - a quick 5 min chat about a couple of small issues that have come up recently, and I want to talk about Film Club. There are also a couple of people who have not had their tutorials yet - must be done this week.

Thursday / Friday October 21/22nd

Studio Days with Richard. Coffee Shop project, presentation 3pm on Friday afternoon. You have a clear brief and there are lots of good ideas out there so far - but be very sure to present exactly as described in the brief, you cannot deviate from this - and don't get distracted by the interior decoration - that's part of the concept, but you have very clear specifications for the final board, so please don't get this wrong.

In addition. Straight after half term you have the Design For Print Module. I am more than happy to brief you now if it's what you want so that you have extra time for research - let me know today.

Information Is Beautiful




















A very interesting book - suggested by FDA 1, Emma and Joe a few months ago there was a debate between the Author and Nevile Brody on Newsnight that I blogged about on here - about the dangers of making design too decorative and clever.

The FDA 1 map brief was designed to allow you to channel something personal into your work - rather than just make something 'pretty', which is always a danger - even for the most experienced designer.

This book is full of ideas that are worth studying - but remember... have your own ideas too!

Ordnance Survey: mapping a perfect image of the world

























Interesting and detailed article from the Telegraph with picture gallery.

"From Wordsworth to children to the man in the street, the Ordnance Survey has stirred imaginations for more than 200 years......"

True to type, how we fell in love with our letters.

Very good, thoughtful and informative article from today's Observer - I suggest you get a copy.

From EasyJet to Facebook, road signs to clothing labels, we are surrounded by a world of type. But what messages do its different kinds convey? In this extract from his new book, Just My Type, Simon Garfield looks at the history of typefaces, the obsessive care taken over their design – and the role they play in shaping our lives

Print Is Not Dead. By Peter Preston

Really interesting article in the Observer by the former Guardian Editor.

We thought the Internet was killing print, but it isn't.


There is no clear correlation between a rise in internet traffic and a fall in newspaper circulation. Some papers are growing in both formats, others are succeeding in neither, according to new research.

Saturday 16 October 2010

About this blog.

I started this blog about a year ago because I thought it would be a good way to support the studies and academic / creative development of the FDA Graphic Communication course year 1 and 2 at SCCH ( Hastings College ).

It is a way for me to keep the communication channels open, get information, help and resources to you quickly and in a format that you could all appreciate.

I have encouraged you to get involved and I have always wanted to make it more social and inclusive. I had anticipated it would be a place to exchange ideas and debate themes that are relevant to your studies.

I don't have to do this. It takes up a lot of my time, all unpaid, all outside my college hours. I sometimes wonder if I am doing too much and making life too easy for you, at some point you will have to learn to do all this for yourself. I also allow the blog to be open access, unlike many of the other departments - however I am now considering it become password only and I'll let you have a decision on that in due course.

This blog is not endorsed or supported by SCCH - it's owned and administered by myself alone, as is the associated email address - which was designed so that students could talk to me in confidence about anything that concerned them outside college hours. I don't really have the time to do this and I could pull it at any time - if I feel it's underused or not worth the effort and responsibilities that are entailed, or gets taken for granted - I shall.

I have deleted my post about the Blogger / Tumbler access and the associated posts. I have also disabled the comments button. If anyone is unhappy - well, they can always start their own blog.

Typographic Map of Boston





















Really lovely piece of work found by FDA1 Camille to support the Map Brief for the first years.

Online Scrapbook

I keep an online scrapbook - and encourage all students to do the same, it saves time - makes it easier for you to find things you like and makes them accessible anywhere, and because you can catalogue and label - you can organise what you find to help you in your studies.

here are a couple of examples of useful things I've found - and fel free to access my site whenever you need to - but start up your own as soon as possible.

Negative Space posters found by Gary Neil


Some great type specimen sheets

French Post War Design.

 Mobi Boom, The Explosion Of Design In France (1945-1975) is showing at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris until 2 January 2011.


In the France of 1945 – a country of ruined cities, bombed-out morale and an economy smashed to smithereens – it was all about the basics: tables to eat off, chairs to sit on and kitchens in which mothers could feed their children. In the crescendo of rebellion before May 1968, experimentation was key, and plastics took the place of wood. And by the early 1970s, permissiveness prevailed: beds were on the floor, sofas became "sprawlers" and chaise longues were orange and made of foam. Louis XVI, one imagines, would not have known where to look.

25 years - 85 sketchbooks

From Design Observer. The designer Michael Beiruit mulls his career via his sketchbooks.

Friday 15 October 2010

Negative space in Logo Design

I've probably already made it clear that I love negative space - here are some excellent examples of how to use it well - and the source site is an excellent research destination - bookmark and check it out every few days.

Why not start your own scrapbook of good examples.

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Wednesday October 13th

Well done everyone today, Karen and David were very impressed, some lovely work handed in - and the atmosphere in the room was great - everyone worked together really well!

Article about the Worlds First Photograph



















"The grey, blurred images are not exactly easy on the eye, but they are three of the world's very first photographs and, it will be announced today, were made using a range of techniques including one previously undiscovered method".

Link Here

3D Mapping project

Interesting technology is desperate need of a purpose - found by Top-Up- John, neat little video here.

New Coin designs

Celebrating the Olympics, many created by graphic designers.

Design Research Unit: The Firm that Branded Britain





















Very interesting article in the Guardian, with links to picture gallery

We use the word "austerity" so freely these days that we could be forgiven for forgetting that there was an original "age of austerity". The immediate postwar years may be best remembered for rationing and queues, but as the nation geared up for reconstruction, British design was coming into its own. One firm in particular stands out: the Design Research Unit. It was the first multidisciplinary design agency in the country, working across architecture, products and graphic design – a feat that is still rare today. And although you may not have heard of the DRU, its work will be familiar: it includes design items as various as the British Rail logo, every street sign in central London, seat covers on the District line of the tube and hundreds of pub signs across the country. In short, the design that has helped generations of Britons get to work, steered them through the city streets, and then pointed them towards an after-hours pint. At last, courtesy of the Cubitt Gallery in London, the firm that defined British design for three decades is getting a reappraisal.

Tuesday 12 October 2010

FDA2 / Stamps brief for Terry

I've now had nearly half of the stamp submission in - and I have to say I'm really, really impressed - some lovely work and very well presented.

If you need help putting your final work together - you still have 3 days to work in the studio and myself, Karen or David will be happy to help.

More on The Gap logo

..and other branding mistakes

Folio Society Competition


The Folio Society and House of Illustration have launched a competition to find an illustrator to create covers for Albert Camus’ iconic novel The Outsider.

The winner will receive a £4 000 Folio commission to create seven illustrations for the book, which is due for publication in autumn 2011.

Five runners up will receive £500 cash, and three of the six prizes will be awarded to students.

Speaking about the competition, House of Illustration project director Flora Craig says, ‘We hope to encourage and help launch the careers of the best new illustration talent.’

Judging whether the designs measure up to Camus’ classic will be Quentin Blake, actor and writer Simon Callow and illustrator Laura Carlin.

Entrants need to supply three illustrations and a binding design.

The deadline is not until 10 January 2011 so there’s plenty of time to get sketching. If you fancy your chances, more information can be found here

This is open to FDA1/2 - Top Up and FDA Illustration - and falls exactly into line with may of your existing studies and modules - you would be an IDIOT not to enter...

Wednesday October 13th

This is the first time both years have been working together in the same shared space - with two members of staff. We have plenty of room and you all have your own desks and computer space - so make the best of the facilities.

10am - I will introduce Karen Wilks to the FDA 2 group and David Fowler to the FDA1 group

Karen will be working with FDA 2 on their personal presentations as already directed ( do NOT forget anything or I shall send you home to get it ) and also advising on the standard of presentation for your Movng Men brief and Terry's Stamp project.


FDA 1 will be working on the Map brief with David, to finish next week.

At 3pm I will collect all the Moving Men submissions to deliver to the client - no extensions on this one, work must be ready to go.

On Thursday and Friday - FDA 2 will have a new project that will last 2 weeks ( 4 days ) - we have moved photography to after half term so that you can have uninterrupted access to the shooting studio - and John will be with you for an extra day.

On Friday at 4pm - you must all have sent me an electronic file with your Stamp Brief submission for Terry Lewis - again, no exceptions - if you are late - you fail.

Gap Logo Fiasco

To be honest - I couldn't even be bothered to post the story about the new logo last week - this was inevitable


Gap scraps new logo after just one week.

Film Show - Thursday

As part of Hastings Day this Thursday, 14th October, we have arranged a free showing of the BBC documentary, 1066 Battlefield of Britain, in the LRC viewing room on Hastings Day.

The showing commences at 12.30 and lasts one hour.

Monday 11 October 2010

Week 3 with Gary Neill

It's a studio day with Gary and you need large sheets of paper ( 3p each ) and marker pens - all available from the shop - make sure you get there early - you start with Gary at 10 and the shop closes at 11.

Free Photography Events for FDA Students with the MEC

As I mentioned earlier - we have been able ( with the help of Andy Moran ) to arrange for you to go to the special events organised to go accompany the Photo Bienial - you only have to show your UoB / SCCH card to gain free entry.

The full list of events is here, It's really important to support events like this - they are incredibly useful and will really help you.

Sunday 10 October 2010

TV highlights this week

Sunday - 7pm, C4 - The Genius of British Art - William Hogarth


Sunday BBC4 7.30pm - The Beauty of Maps - mapping london

Friday BBC2 7pm - Culture Show Special - Grayson Perry from the Frieze art fair

Saturday 9 October 2010

Timetable - Week Starting October 11th

FDA 1

Monday October 9th

Morning, Mac studio - Photoshop workshop.

Really important if you are a beginner or have limited experience. A basic overview of Photoshop and explanation how to use the core tools, including picture editing and correction. You will need all the images that you took in Brighton. In the afternoon - You will be working on the images to create a narrative set to a short brief.

Tuesday October 10th

With Gary Neill in the Base Studio for week 3 of his Ideas Generation program.

Wednesday October 11th

In the Base studio with David Fowler ( If he's available - me otherwise ) working on the map briefs and any final work on Moving Men. I will collect all the Moving men work from you at the end of the day for the client to review.

If I am with you - I will begin the 1-2-1 turorial program - I'll need to spend 20 mins with each of you over the next 2 weeks.



FDA 2

Wednesday October 11th

Karen Wilks will start a 2 week presentation workshop. You need to bring all your professional practice work ( portfolio, stationary, self promotion etc ) and also the work you are getting ready to present to Terry on Friday by email. Be in early if possible - you have a busy day.

I also need to collect all the moving men submissions.


Thursday October 12th

In the studio with Richard for week 1 of a new 2 week brief, and the start of the RSA brief.

Friday October 13th

In the studio / mac suite / Shooting studio with John Reynolds for week 1 of a 2 week image workshop. You must be in before 10am, John has a lot to get through and will also be talking about his work - so make sure you check out his website here - he also has a new blog here.

You must also have all your final Stamp project work ready for me to collate and send

You must make sure you attend all the contact teaching time this week - it's really important.

The Reinvention of Print:

Very good article about the future of your industry.

Friday 8 October 2010

Terry Lewis Stamp submission FDA2

On Friday October  15th - I need you all to submit a single A3 landscape PDF - with your name and a brief description of your final submission in the bottom left hand corner ( small please ) - so that I can put together a single PDF for Terry to mark - you can email them to me at any time before Friday lunch.

Please try to present your work so that it's shown to it's best advantage - Is clearly described and is easy to understand, presentation and communication are important parts of this industry and you will be judged on them.

EXTRAS REQUIRED - JOIN THE UNDEAD ARMY

On Saturday October 9th, GrArG Media will be shooting its latest music video, and we would love if you could help out.

We are planning to turn a small part of Hastings (Quarry Terrace) into a zombie wasteland, and are in search for as many marauding zombies or lifeless corpses as we can get.

If you or anyone you know feel like a bit of dressing up and staggering around this Saturday, please come on down.

All you need is some old clothes (you don't mind staining with fake blood) and we'll have us a lovely pre-Halloween zombie-fest.

All are welcome.
Thanks in advance.

Ali Graham - GrArG Media

Thursday 7 October 2010

Cameraless Photography at the V&A

Very good and interesting subject - link to main site here and an overview from Design Week here.

Map Marathon, Maps for the 21st Centuary

Major names gather for two-day live event at Royal Geographical Society 16 and 17 October 2010

Mel ( FDA 1 ) found this really useful event, perfect for your map Project.

The Serpentine Gallery presents the fifth event in its acclaimed Marathon series on 16 and 17 October. The multi-dimensional Map Marathon will feature non-stop live presentations by over 50 artists, poets, writers, philosophers, scholars, musicians, architects, designers and scientists. This ambitious two-day event takes place in London during Frieze Art Fair week.

Wednesday 6 October 2010

Barney Bubbles Review



















Jonathon ( Top-Up ) went to the Barney Bubbles exhibition - BB is one of my all time heroes - FDA 1 saw a couple of examples of his work in the logo presentation I gave you on the first day.

It focuses on the working practices of the designer - really important theme.

The show is on until 23rd October and is highly recommended - this is how Jonathon described it.


Saw this on CR about the Barney Bubbles exhibition and thought it worth highlighting. I went along to see this and found it fascinating and informative (more than most of the LDF and ADF!). They not only had examples of his finished work but also his workings, sketchbooks (including paintings, drawings etc.) and examples of artwork that he had readied for the next stage of getting to print, handwritten notes and all! It gave an insight into "how it was done" which I found useful and made it feel real and attainable.

The information on the walls described in detail the artworking to printing process which was very insightful and interesting. Because of how the exhibition was laid out you got the sense of "this is his work" and then you walk round the corner and... "this is how it was done". It's not just a show of his finished pieces - it goes deeper than that.

Gig T Shirts and what they say about you

I think this a really interesting subject - you could write a dissertation about this subject - and I'm half minded to set a project on it

Free Pitching and Speculative Work

Interesting and useful article here

Tuesday 5 October 2010

LMNOP / Brighton

New Studio / Gallery Shop in Brighton - spotted by FDA 1 Mel - includes some really lovely letterpress posters, includes Shop - Studio - Blog

Great Packaging Range



















This neatly explains why I'm always so keen on 'found font' type projects.

The agency that created this work is here - found by FDA1 Dan

Monday 4 October 2010

Upcycled

Great site - great logo - click here.

Good F*******ing design advice

This isn't me - honest... it just sounds like me.

Severin and Surrealism in Hastings

A unique opportunity to hear Steven Severin performing his new score to “Le Sang D’un Poete” by Jean Cocteau

Acclaimed solo artist and founder member of legendary band Siouxsie & the Banshees,
Steven Severin embarks on his debut solo UK tour this autumn, and will be performing at St. Mary in the Castle in Hastings on Monday 18th October.


In collaboration with Kent-based arts organisation Last of England, Severin will be adding this additional date to his 26 venue tour, giving audiences in Kent and East Sussex their first chance to hear his new score for “Le Sang d’un Poete (Blood Of A Poet)” Jean Cocteau’s 1930 black & white surrealist classic and the second in Severin’s ongoing series of MUSIC FOR SILENTS.
During their reign, Siouxsie & the Banshees established themselves as one of the foremost alternative artists and the only survivors of the London punk scene to evolve, innovate and succeed until their final demise in 2002. Severin has since committed himself almost exclusively to scoring for film and TV. Since May 2008 Severin has been performing live accompaniment to silent films, startling audiences across the globe who have now come to expect the unexpected from the man who has crossed paths with such diverse luminaries as John Cale, Alan Moore, Jarboe, Lydia Lunch, Marc Almond, Merc Cunningham, Robert Smith and the Tiger Lillies.

“Le Sang d’un Poete” received it’s premiere at the Silent Movie Theater in Hollywood in January this year and a CD of the score is to released by Cold Spring on 5th. October.
 
Last of England is a not-for profit organisation established in 2009 that curates and facilitates new creative work in the swath of English countryside and coast that runs from Dungeness in Kent to Hastings in East Sussex. The Dungeness peninsula is famous as the home of the film-maker Derek Jarman (a personal friend of Severin) and this event reflects the continuing importance of the area to artists, film-makers and musicians.

Venue:
St Mary in the Castle, 7 Pelham Place, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3AF
01424 717592
Date:
Monday 18th October 2010

Time:
Doors open 7.30pm

Tickets
£12.50,
Concessions (student and OAP) £8.00


Tickets will be available from:
St Mary in the Castle 01424 717592 Hastings Information Centre 01424 451111(credit card bookings)
Last of England 01797 344021

For further information or to arrange interviews,please contact Nicholas Shaddick on 07793 841266 or email nick@lastofengland.org

On-The-Map ( good for FDA1!!!)

The St Leonards Photo Trail

A photographic trail through St Leonards on Sea. Walk from Warrior Square to the seafront. Taking another look.

On the Map is a multi-venue group show of photographic work. It is a photo trail of 12 venues and 16 artists around St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex. The trail will run as part of the Brighton Photo Fringe (Hastings) Festival from 2nd October to 14th November 2010. Please pick up a map from a photo fringe venue or download here.

Brighton Trip

Coach leaves at 9.30 from outside Station Plaza - if you miss the coach you will have to get the train. It returns at 4pm from Grande Parade.

It arrives at Brighton at 10.30 and will drop you off at Grande Parade - at the assembly point.

You have the morning to yourselves for the research brief - and then meet up at the assembly point at 2pm. I will be there too ( I'm working in the morning ).

Wednesday UoB talk

There will be a presentation from the University of Brighton Student Services team in the H E Common room from 1- 1.30 on Wednesday, I'm really sorry it's lunch time - but it's a one-off - really usefull talk - I'll be there too.

R

Sunday 3 October 2010

Return of Dave's packaging archive

I'm working on getting some shelving fitted into the studio ( not as easy as it sounds ) and I'd like to bring back the packaging archive - so please feel free to bring in anything you find that's worth talking about.

I found this yesterday, it's brilliant - not only is it great packaging - but I love the way they have manipulated the letter 'B' with a graphic to make a really interesting cutout window.

Packaging and retail presentation are really important themes for FDA2 this year - so start having a good look about in the supermarket.

It was also very good cheese!

Important note for FDA 2.

You are being marked on 2 small projects this week - your performance on the camoflage brief, and your work for Terry Lewis on the stamp project.

These are both 2 day projects ( studio time ) and the work that you put in between.

I was very clear last week that all your work is marked to national FDA academic standards from this point on, and if you miss any work - then you will lose some of the contributing marks towards your final grade. We have already talked about how even half a percent can drag you right down.

This module is made up from a number of small projects, the marks are added at the end and contribute to a final summative grade for this module - so they are all as important as each other.

You are responsible for your work and catching up on anything you miss, if you are unable to complete a full module - you need to let us know beforehand and request a referral or extension with good reason or mitigating circumstances - and not after.

The two key issues with many of your presentations so far are lack of research ( being poorly informed ) and lack of evidence ( demonstrating you have done the work and gone through a design process ).

These are really important parts of the course and you are marked on them - please don't let yourself down and scupper your chances of good grades by failing to follow the process.

Good Links












Stack bringing together the world of independent magazines, there is also a blog and a facebook page.

Graphic - Korean design journal, always interesting to see out industry from the perspective of other cultures and visual and typographic languages.

Suggested by David McG. ( Top Up )

Useful stuff broadcast this week.

The Beauty of Maps, Mapping the Mediaeval Mind - BBC4 - Sunday 7.30pm - site here

The Genius of British Art - C4 - Sunday 7pm - link here

RIBA Stirling Prize Culture Show Special - iplayer link here.

Taste The Difference!!!!

Jamie Oliver's new advert with Hastings as it's backdrop - makes the place look lovely - although I can't imagine how they kept the cars off the roads.


Click here.

Photography at the De La Warr

Very good review here in the Guardian/Observer of Myth: Manners and Memory: Photography of the American South, at the De La Warr.

The South Coast is getting a really good reputation for it's art and design curation now - along with the Towner, the venues of Brighton and soon to be Jerwood - it's a really great time to be based here.

Saturday 2 October 2010

Nordkyn logo

Very interesting article sent through by Tom in Top-up ( yes - they read this site too ). Wwhat I find most interesting is the animated version of the logo - I've pointed out several times to both years that design has to think about the medium much more than ever before - a logo must work on paper but also screen and needs to be sympathetic to the environment you place it in - and exploit it too.

The explanation of the concept and presentation f it's development are also really interesting and useful.

Friday 1 October 2010

Penguin Designer Classics

About to be auctioned off, article and photo library here.

Timetable week starting October 4th

Monday 4th FDA 1

Illustrator workshop from 10am - 4pm in SP4110.

Even if you are a beginner or already have some skill, there will be training and a 1 day project for all of you - a really important day. At 1.30pm there will also be a short talk with the group

Tuesday 5th FDA 1

AM - Travel to Brighton by coach ( or meet there, for a tour of St Peters Library at UoB at 2pm )

I have a project brief for you for the morning ( Research based ) that I'll discuss with the group on Monday Morning

Wednesday 6th FDA 1

Gary Neil, part 2 of Ideas Generation module ( return to map brief next week ).

Wednesday 7th FDA 2

Moving Men brief workshop in the computer room and briefing on the Film Club project and RSA competition

Thursday 8th FDA 2

Camoflage Brief day 2, presentation of ideas so far and group discussion.

Friday 9th FDA 2

Terry Lewis part 2 of the stamp brief - 3pm presentation

Swatch Young Illustrator Award

You have to be over 21 and there is no upper age limit.... which is unusual for 'young' - but there is a large prize, link to the CR blog post and then the entry form here.

FilmClub brief

Andrew in the LRC has asked if any student would be interested in a brief to manage the publicity for FilmClub - I think it's a great idea - I'll develop a brief with him this week, but feel free to come and talk to me if you want to get involved.

Passwords

If you are still looking for a password for the computer or printer log-in - or you have managed to lock yourself out by getting it wrong 3 times, you can go along to the Library and they can do it for you instantly at the front desk.

FDA Course Reps

Francessca is going to be your course rep again this year for FDA 2, I need a rep for year 1 - someone who is happy to represent the students needs and act as a single voice - it's really good for your CV and you get to find out a bit about the inner workings of the University - I also think you get the odd lunch thrown it. I'll ask you on Monday who wants to go for it.

FDA2 Feedback

I'll talk to you in person today, but just to confirm that I will write a group feedback on the summer brief rather than anything individual - and I'll have this ready for you over the weekend. Remember - it's not part of your academic mark - but a useful indicator of where you are.

SCCH Fashion Show 2011

Sorry for any confusion - some of you think I'm against FDA Graphic Comm students modeling at this years fashion Show - of course you can - I have a feeling I was referring to something else there - anyone who wants to take part in the gala this year is very welcome.

De La Warr roundup

New exhibition opens today in Gallery 1 - Myth, Manners and Memory - Photographers of the American South

Film Season kicks off in the specially created cinema in Gallery 2.

Also some fantastic music events still booking, including welcoming back The Fall to the Pavilion stage, featuring the inimitable Mark E Smith. 



Duane Eddy
performing with Richard Hawley in a must-see gig.

Laurie Anderson in her only UK gig as part of her world tour.

Plus don't forget Billy Bragg, Marc Almond, and all the Christmas Shows!

Save The Postcard

Read this, and bear it in mind - we have had some conversations with Judge's of Hastings  - and it might just be worth thinking about.....

Mapplethorne

























Opens this weekend at the Towner - article on the show and artist here from today's paper.