24.09.2014 - Meet an Expert @ LCC

Around Easter time I went to London College of Communication to take part in a symposium event discussing graphic design in education, its current status within key stage 3 up to level 3 and what we felt as teachers, tutors and lecturers we have to develop and deliver in order to make a success out of the subject. Part of that event was team working designing what we considered "the perfect lesson" that identified the key components of learning. 

At the event and part of my team was MA student Maria Morote, She had started her MA in Graphic design that January and was at the event just to discuss her idea of graphic design and a postgraduate student and ideally like us all to make connections. During the event I had an opportunity to discuss with Maria her current MA status, the topic she was researching into and for someone who wants to complete an MA themselves, find out what the process was like. That connection has stayed with us and Maria and I discussed that we would keep in  contact and that I would be more than happy to support her MA in any way as her subject at that point was "tattoos, the ideas behind, the mark making processes, and the underlining subject of them". 

Well Maria contacted me last week and asked me that at this stage of her MA she was asked to source an expert, someone who she considered could look at her current body of work, reflect and interrogate her and have a real in-depth and informal discussion about how this project could now take off. I was privileged to be asked as an expert to come to LCC and meet up with her and really take a look at what the project was and where it was going. We discussed 101 ideas of where practical solutions and initial experiments could start to take her research out of a page, looking at the work she had produced to date, using herself in many cases as a subject with tattoos, scars and other marks made on the skin. Have a look at Maria's blog has she reflects and documents hers MA daily.

The project has got some real potential now and me and Maria will be keeping our contact going whilst she begins to explore some of what I questioned and recommended. Part of our deal was that Maria is now going to come to South Essex College as a guest speaker and discuss with my FAD students the context of completing a BA and moving onto an MA, especially with her background "coming from France" she has lots of beneficial information and creativity to pass on. 

20.09.2014 - TENT London

Since working at South Essex College I have visited TENT London every year. The design exhibition held at my favourite venue "Truman Brewery" is a great opportunity to see a spectacular range of designers and artists whose ideas and work are at the fore front. This year TENT blocked itself in nationalities which really allowed you to see the connections and characteristics of a particular nation. A really well considered plan that from a visitor point of view and especially with students gave you a visual opening into the culture. 

This year also felt bigger than ever, every corner featured a stand and I got the general impression that exhibitors were happier and definitely more interactive than other years. I wanted to focus on meeting some really diverse and interesting designers who may be willing to come and visit the college as a guest speaker, I am in conversations with some ATM but one in particular Tracey Tubb whose work featured hand crafted origami wall panels was really excited about the prospect of visiting and working with design education. 

TENT is one of those pop up design festival that can truly impact on your year, especially form a lecturer point of view, as you Can build a frame work and projects in and around what you saw taking wide inspiration form materials and media used, context and sub-themes and you start to see particular trends that you may be able to expose to the students. 

One aspect that was brought to light this year was the use of technology, in particular the designers form the Tokyo section who have just embarrassed the digital world with apps, 4D technology and interaction art that kept the audience at a stand still. If you didn't get a chance to visit TENT all is not lost as the website contains a full list of all those exhibiting and links to their individual practice. I am looking forward to seeing when Tracey can come and work with my students and will definitely be posting up the results.

08.09.2014 - Foundation Diploma 2014/2015

And so it begins, a new term and a new cohort of students. To think that a year with the new team has already passed is scary to say the least, it was time to see what the new ones were like and to start making our initial developments with them to transform them in lateral thinkers, professional communicators and highly exploratory and experimental creative students. 

I always enjoy part of FAD, its rotational nature with students getting a taste for each of the pathways on offer. With the growth in numbers this year we were able to offer 5 groups and add fine art 2D to our options. The rotational stage also allows staff to really deliver some exciting activities with the students. Building on from the success of last year we discussed as a team that we wanted each rotation to last two weeks to allow scope for additional tasks and to discuss other aspects of the pathway.

The 360 project will now last a total of ten weeks and will give students a real eclectic mix of evidence all of which has the potential to slip straight into the portfolio. Alongside this visual recording and contextual studies has also began with experimental mark making and some rich informal lecture delivered by maria on topics that connect our drawing work and educational trips.

17.07.14 - UAL Origin Awards night

OK, so can you remember me discussing that UAL had selected Ryan Christy from our FAD course to exhibit his work at Chelsea College of Arts? Well tonight was the awards night, the two exhibition spaces were filled with anxious students, supporting family members and friends, lectures and other visiting staff, UAL directors and examining body members and of course everyone was graced with the presence of Sir Grayson Perry who gave an incredible speech about pushing boundaries, continuing your art journey and in his own words "Don't get off the F**king creative train". Well what more is there to mention other than "RYAN WON!" Yes South Essex College FAD has once again found its place in London, making other institution aware of what we are capable of. In my opinion this year could not have ended in another way! an incredible night for myself, and Ryan who undoubtedly deserved to win "hands down"

A few pictures from the night and obviously a cheeky photo with Ryan and Sir Grayson

7.07.14 - "Your Studio" @ The Design Museum

"Your Studio" is regular event held at the Design museum for students of all ages studying an arts related subject. Its purpose is to examine and discuss key figures within the world of design, get close and personal with the museums collection of prestigious design artifacts and products and implement different ways of being creative including the design process, pitching ideas, and identifying a good design. 

The Design Museum however scheduled in a special event for teaching staff to come and try this out, looking at their current exhibition designers of the year, discussing current design education and planning a design proposal based upon a live brief. It was a opportunity for myself and colleague/friend Maria Swepson to let our hair down now that the academic year was over and become creative again, we examined a collection of design objects, proposed exciting opportunities in response to our "everyday problems" brief and then participated in a group discussion started by one of their recent "designers in residence" winners. Maria also hinted to me at joining the panel where we discussed approaches to being creative, our own education and how we deliver design and other ongoing issues.

3.07.14 - Curriculum Manager in Art and Design post

I can now announce that as of this new coming academic year, I will be undertaking the new role as acting as Curriculum Manager in Art and Design. This position is a great opportunity for me to enhance my skills in employing beneficial changes and recommendations to the department and focusing on a new set of challenges. The post will run for 12 months where I hope to really embrace and develop dramatically throughout this period. I am very grateful for the opportunity and am looking forward to the challenge.

20.06.14 - Teaching Graphic Design in schools

This Friday I attended a UAL symposium event held of the London College of communication where a selection of teachers delivering GCSE up to FAD discussed the versatile approaches and successfully ways of teaching graphic design. The event also held a series of talks form UAL staff and designers focusing on their studio practice, their design education and what they expected form young graduates. 

The event was extremely important with recent changes to the curriculum being delivered in schools and with myself teaching on a higher level course, ensuring that what was being delivered prior to this was relevant and offered students the correct experience and skill set before embarking onto a Foundation Diploma or degree. We were sectioned off into groups to discuss each of your own delivery sty;es, workshop practice and general comments on how we approach design education. We were then asked to present our findings in  scheme of work depicting skills to be obtained, how we felt this was a strong approach and what the fundamental of design education were. Throughout the night there was important information, disagreements and laughter all of which is to be expected when you place a collection of lecturers and teachers in a small space of who all consider what they deliver to be "correct". 

The night ended we an overall study of everyone's schemes and some discussed that they would consider carrying this forward into the new academic year as a prototype to consider differentiation of levels and to then analyze the results that could then start a new symposium event. Any opportunity to break from the building, meet and network with others and constantly learn about what is changing in design education is a beneficial day. I have considered the possibility of writing a brief that tests the differentiation between levels of students with my own department, this is something that was recently discussed at our department meetings and tends to be an ongoing topic that is flagged. This could be a great opportunity to put some of what has been discussed to a practical test and really explore what students require, need and can achieve at their current level. 

I can only feel that this topic and post will be revisited and continued.

16.06.14 - UAL Origin Awards

Every year the University of the Arts London hold a competition entitled "Origins" that promotes the exceptional work produced amongst institutions that deliver UALFAD. It is an opportunity for each institution to come together and look at what one another has produced as well as earn some accreditation if picked as a winner. This year we sent forward 1 student from each of our selected pathways that was then reviewed by an awarding body panel and narrowed down to one, who would then exhibit their FMP piece at Chelsea college of the Arts. Not only is this a once in a lifetime opportunity for the lucky student but their was vouchers to be won if selected and the awards on the night were to be presented by Turner prize winner Sir Grayson Perry. As a team we didn't announce any nominees until the shows private view and then emailed each individual student is they were successful in selection. I was fortunate enough to have my pathway student Ryan Christy selected by UAL to exhibit if "alternative furniture concept" and to represent the UALFAD based at South Essex College. A very exciting moment at the prospect of winning against some amazing and large institutions up and down the country. Fingers crossed.

13.06.14 - Demarcation "Private View"

After two intense weeks of pressing an existing site, reworking the interior, building an exhibition space and installing all the students work we have finally made it to the private view of this years end of year show. The team have worked incredibly hard and with a professional head on at all times. The two spaces give a consistent overview of the challenge and dedication to the arts and focuses on a variation of topics and trends uncovered and exhibited using versatile media. The show was busy from the start with a crowd waiting to enter. You could feel a real sense of proud with the students discussing their work. The show will now continue to run for another two weeks opening its doors to all to view, interact and purchase. Here are some photos of the exhibition space before it was filled with buzzing creatives.

6.05.14 - Demarcation FAD end of year show

We are pleased to release the following information and invite out promoting this years UALFAD end of year show. This year we have secured two shops "side by side" located in Southends Royals shopping centre. This will be a fantastic opportunity for the students to exhibit their work within the public realms as well as giving Southend locals something new and refreshing to come and enjoy.

13.04.14 - Virgin Money London Marathon

Not connected to my teaching practice but a life achievement in itself. I took part in this years Virgin Money London Marathon running for Shelter. Fair to say nothing can prepare you for running a marathon, the day was an emotional experience and I successfully completed the run in 4hours 33minutes. If you would to support the work of Shelter please make a donation via my just giving page

07.04 - 10.04.14 - UAL Introduction to Printmaking @ Camberwell College of Arts

The first week of my Easter break was a long awaited trip over to Camberwell College to spend the next 4 days with a specialist tutor and working practitioner on uncovering various printmaking techniques and developing my prior knowledge. Although I teach Printmaking to my Foundation students my knowledge has been developed through self taught purposes and the aid a books, trials and some coordinator support. 

I wanted to really dig deep in trialing the many processes this course had to offer including Lithography, relief, Etching and mono. The course spread over 4 days focusing on one technique per day delivered by Brian Hodgson, a professional and highly enthusiastic print maker and part time lecturer who had been producing solo work and collaborations for years. each process was discussed in high detail and where applicable footnotes with health and safety / chemical timings and quantities were issued. apart form that it was purely practical and a great way to just learn by doing. I had gained such a large interest in printmaking since working within the creative arts that to spend this duration of time being taught was a great experience that has excelled my interest in printmaking even more. 

The course was taken up as part of my CPD program where I could then reflect and bring what was delivered into my own teaching, not only will that happen; and I have considered all the possibilities and ways of delivering print next year, but also it has changed my opinion in regards to an MA qualification and perhaps pursuing print at this level as oppose to Graphic Design which was my initial thought. 

Below is a selection of photos of both the technical area that makes Camberwell so infamous for its printmaking facilities and also a collection of the outcomes produced by myself. I decided to keep my imagery the same throughout the duration of the course so that I could analyze the various outcomes once completed.

19.03.14 - "Capture/ Einfengen" Foundation Diploma Show

The recent exhibition from the foundation diploma students was off the back of their half term trip to Berlin. Those who did not attend were advised to investigate non-commercial London and find something that ultimately captured them. This was the starting point for the next 4 weeks.

“Inspired by the diverse challenges, possibilities and idiosyncrasies posed by two of Europe’s cultural capitals, Berlin and London, the students from the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design have set out to search, to explore, to investigate, to question, to capture…

In a way that a computer screen can never hope to, layers of history can be absorbed and later refined into something new. Both capitals hold the scars of which can still be seen and touched, making todays visitors still aware of their history. What remains clear when visiting Berlin in particular is the strength of the human spirit and it’s ability to bounce back and rebuild from the wreckage. A sombre and emotional visit to many of Berlins landmarks allowed students to learn more about one the darkest chapters of recent history. It also encouraged insightful questioning, reflection and a desire to learn more. Both trips also enabled students to obtain a greater comprehension of the evolution of both design and the teachings of art, by visiting a selection of traditional and contemporary museums and galleries. At the core of our foundation philosophy is the necessity to question, make and reflect. We encourage an environment of productivity without the fear of getting it right straight away or having to plan every minute detail before a piece has been made. Capture / Einfengen showcases the refinement of explorations from these two great cities and provides foundation students with a final testing ground before embarking on their final major project.”

Below is a selection of work exhibited, all influenced by various starting points and developed in a multitude of different materials and media. 

17.02 - 18.02.14 - CPD Workshops

Over the last month the Art and Design department decided to host a series of creative development workshops where by staff could attend multiple sessions exploring various skills, techniques and equipment to expand their current skillet. These were delivered by the co-coordinators within our department who had agreed to put on some morning workshops. I attended Lazer cutting and 3D Scanning and Printing. I was interested in these particular pieces of equipment having the department purchasing both last year and not really having access to them until now. Lazer cutting has become a phenomenal piece of equipment to support model making, printmaking and packaging.

 Set-up is incredibly simple using adobe illustrator and the machine itself is extremely easy to use with low maintenance and a whole host of different materials that can be etched or cut to tailor your design. 3D printing is a technology that I am fairly new to, that I had only really seen on art blogs until a recent micro exhibition I visited at the science museum. The 3D printer allows users to print a polymer plastic in a variety of colours piped like toothpaste to replicate a 3D object. Both workshops demonstrated the machines features, how to set-up files and I walked away with a miniature outcome from both, demonstrating my professional practice and new found knowledge.

It was great to have these workshops embedded within our department and for staff to get hands on with machinery and specialist equipment that is mainly controlled by the coordinators. I have already considered ways in which both can be brought into next academic year not only through the induction process but also into tailored projects and potential avenues for outcomes.

Examples of 3D printing and Lazer cutting

13.03.14 - Wind, Rain or Shine

Over the last few weeks I have been working with the 1st year Graphic Design degree students on their new brief entitled "alternative media". The overarching theme is working with the Beaufort scale and the forecasting system that is documented online and over BBC Radio 4 with its ever entertaining transcriptions of sea and wind levels. As the students have to consider use of alternative and unprecedented methods in which to visualize this system, they have been banned from using visual imagery the depicts boats, seas and suns. 

As a experiment I wanted to see how the designers would respond to more of a 3d-2d project encouraging making then documenting their outcomes. The task was based upon Richard Serra's "verb Sculptures" and allowed freedom as to how each student would interpret the selected verbs. Each student was asked to identify up to 50 verbs as a starting point and share these throughout the group, they then went onto to select what verbs simultaneously worked with the descriptions or visual analysis they depicted themselves from considering the Beaufort number they were responding to. This then led onto the creation of a sculpture produced entirely from paper that was then illustrated in their sketchbooks at multiple view points. 

This was part 1 of a two week workshop that would then later see these drawings digitally replicated and modified as to give them a potential outcome that would fit the nature of the brief. Some struggled, some engaged, and some excelled.

10.03.14 - Sound of the week

It seems to be that time of the year where the sun is starting to show its face and a slight relaxed mood begins as Easter is nearly upon us. This weeks sound has to be the incredible Duke Dumont with his "I got U" that has steamed Clubs, radios and everyone's Ipods by storm.

07.03.14 - "This is Graphic Design"

"This is Graphic Design" is the upcoming show featuring a range of work from year 2 level 3 extended diploma Graphic design students, a group that I have been covering this academic year. The exhibition is split into two parts featuring work from their recent Paul Smith exhibition  that works on the promotion of his recent retrospective at the design museum and their previous Tachen book project that explored themes such as portraits, exploring London, typography and toys. 

These students have been working incredibly hard and with this being their first ever public exhibition they wanted to make a mark within the College campus gallery. It is fair to say that the exhibition truly supported their personalities with colour, scale and some really interesting design solutions to the projects. Some very articulate and professional work had been produced on both projects, that in m own opinion would give some of the BA degree students a run for their money. 

With the Final Major Project soon to be underway, this exhibition has hopefully now given the group some confidence and a huge boost in the right direction for what so many of the individuals can achieve going onto degrees next year.