23-05-12 - Google Education

Over the past term (10 weeks) as part of the 1st years Unit 12: Computers in Art project, I have been working on building up their graphic design skill set on a branding and marketing project. The brief was simple yet vague, to design a collection of promotional and marketing material for Google education.

Each student was asked initially to respond to the work of Jesse Hora and to produce an illustration that would then go onto be manipulated and transformed into a whole branding package. Looking back at the project some parts took way longer than expected and I personally wish that I had run more workshops for those who needed support and help in concepts and the ability to take one design into an array of outcomes. The feedback I have received however form other lecturers and students has been amazing and some of the work is of an outstanding standard. the project draws to a close in two weeks and I am sure to have many distinction based projects. Below are some of my favourite outcomes that have been completed.

20-05-12 - Departed soles Exhibition

This is by far my favourite time as a design lecturer where final major projects are underway, the weather is good and we as a design team start to plan and prepare our end of year show. Last year I made sure that I made an impact on the college shows with it being my first student show. This year despite the odds against us with space and time, is looking to be another real success, and I am beyond excited about the ideas that are being executed.

This year the show has been named and branded "Departed Soles" a twist on a conversation me, captain Nicky and course leader Lee were having about students walking over us, the building and leaving their mark as they depart. I don't at this moment in time want to give much more away, all I would like to say is on the 13.06.12 the open night of the show featuring an eclectic mix of Fine Art, Graphic Design and Design Crafts based work will be on at South Essex college. (Full details are on the posters for the show featured below)

18-05-12 - Abstraction of the open mind

over the recent weeks I have been experimenting and playing around with the composition of a triangle. This all started out from initially responding to Damien Hirsts "Spot Paintings" that now seem to have wormed their way into my head. I was questioning the form and aesthetic of a triangle and its relationship to surrounding space. whilst producing these compositions I played on colour the idea of responding to one particular element "The Green Triangle". these random experiments ask a series of questions relating to both form, function, observation and white space. I am definitely going to take these into a more mixed media purpose but for now here are some initial test pieces.

 

 

15-05-12 - Life of a mundane object

This was a quick fix task in which we asked our year 1 learners to identify an everyday mundane object and record it in several different ways. They had to produce a timeless piece that incorporated several different choices of media as well as respond to scenarios when drawing their object. In the dark, reflection, upside down and folded were just some of the scenarios we asked our learners to take into account. below are all the responses to this activity that have been placed together. see if you can make out the not so mundane object.

08-05-12 - Mural Design

The 1st years are currently working on their final project of their 1st year which comprises of a part live project consisting of a mural design. The project has chopped and changed rapidly over the last couple of weeks due to commitments over a site where the mural can be located, however we have now had confirmation that Barking Station will be the host for this rich eclectic mural consisting of bold colour and reflected the areas local Flora Forna. The design of the mural is stencil based and is an initial reaction to the work of Hannah Werning. Today we set the 1st years a group based task where they used existing imagery to create an array of silhouetted forms and to start getting their heads around form, colour and layout. Please keep an eye out for more posts on this topic.

29-04-12 - Everybody wants to be a cat

I should have posted this up a long time ago, but this video is from the project "Adaptations". Year 2 student Ellie decided as part of her project to adapt the well known Disney film aristocats. The project consisted of a collection of semi-automatic drawings produced from watching the film that were then succinctly placed in order to create this fast paced, hyper colour stop motion video. It captures the essence of the film perfect along with a quirky little remix of the song that we found whilst browsing the web. A very professional looking outcome and I hope to see form the rest of the team some more work using different multimedia such as video and stop motion. 

27-04-12 - New Book "Fuse"

FUSE started out as a collection a magazines produced in the mid 90's by iconic graphic designer Neville Brody. Each magazine consisted of visual inspiration and documentation on a particular theme and produced various content on designers covering branding, typography, print and everything else design orientated. I have been aware of Neville and his work for many years, and had even heard of "FUSE", yet I had never manged to of got hold of a copy nor ever read one. 

Around once a week I drop into Magmas website looking for new and upcoming books that may pick my brains, for me they are my ultimate resource and keep my inspiration going. I noticed that under the graphic design section Tachen had just released a new book entitled "Fuse 1-20" and immediately I had to get my hands on it. I have not spent a massive time looking through this yet but I can tell you from what I have seen and the fact that it is going to be a limited edition run, that all those with an interest in graphic design need a copy. 

The most interesting bit and most surprising really is that when FUSE magazine was released much like creative review does now, each front cover was designed by a special guest designer that made FUSE magazine a collectors item. Taschen have been kind enough to not only bind all the issues together in one micro glossy book, but they have also given each buyer a copy of 10 front covers in the form of an A2 poster (f you could only had seen my face). I cannot wait to get my posters on the wall and my head into this book. BUY IT!

25-04-12 - Graphopoly Presentation

Today I had to present my board game resource that I have been working on alongside with Vic as part of our managing and developing resources unit. We decided to produce a classic spin on the well know board game Monopoly and introduce some educational and creative features. During the Easter holidays I became slightly obsessed with the idea and let it run away with me.

By the time time I got back to work and discussed the presentational strategy with Vic I had produced a full board, money, a rule book and even gone to the trouble of refurbishing an old toy box. All hours and hard graft put aside I did not expect no where near the reaction I received with with my peers and especially my tutor Shirley absolutely loving it! and after a 30 minute game the smiles and excitement still remained. I am over the moon with the reaction and it has really motivated me with recognizing what me and Vic have achieved.

I would definitely consider taking this forward and fixing some of the initial design faults that were discovered through playing. watch this space! you never know where "Graphopoly" could go.below are some live action shots.

24-04-12 - Damien Hirst @ Tate Modern

Since watching the channel 4 documentary on Damien Hirst back in the Easter holidays I have been so excited to finally be going to the exhibition. with the last term of this academic year underway and a vast majority of time and attention aimed towards the second year students, it was nice to take the first years on this truly inspirational trip. The exhibition feature all of Damien's work from his students days at Goldsmiths college through to when he became the Turner prize winner and so on. The exhibition was remarkable with inspiration literally alive in front of you. I was as wrapped up as I could possibly be (keeping my eyes on 22 students).

I would have recommended this exhbition to anyone despite being interested in art or not, but since the exhibition holds a strict no photography rule it gives you even more of a push to go and see it. the exhibition runs until September, although Damien's iconic Crystal Skull "For the love of God" will be exhibited in a secret room located in the turbine hall only until June. Below are my documented memories of the day. GO AND SEE IT!

 

A miniature guide was given to you upon entry of the exhibition

1st year Art and Design students from South Essex College

Saturday - 21-04-12 - New Book "Graphic Design for Fashion"

I have just received my copy of "Graphic Design for Fashion" sourced, designed and written by design double act Jay Hess and Simone Pasztorek. This book showcases a stunning selection of work that I have never seen before, with a global round up of some of the most innovative work used within the fashion industry. I purchased this for the Design crafts team who like the other pathway groups are currently working on their portfolio however, are finding it difficult due to the nature of their work to structure their portfolios. This book should be able to communicate some visual ideas over to both them and myself and If you have an interest in fashion, graphic design or print then this is a book to add to the collection. Jay and Simone's current website is under development but click here to read about "Graphic design for Fashion" on the Dazed Digital website.