D%AD New Blood

Forget Guns and Roses 'Welcome to the Jungle', I think the official D&AD New Blood song should be 'Welcome to the Greenhouse!' Hopefully not putting off too many creatives but it did get pretty hot up there!


After attending for several years, it was great to finally exhibit at New Blood and fantastic to discuss design and the portfolio in a relaxed and friendly environment with many new contacts and friends made. There is a lot of inspiring work to be seen and another benefit was seeing what other, similar minded students had been up to over the year. 


Another positive side was the number of talks and events taking place such as the COG's portfolio sessions, Design Bridge's 'how to be a junior designer' and Patrick's top tips talk at Navyblue.


D&AD is something I would recommend to all, both students and industry, as a great place to meet, network and see the most creative and freshest ideas out there!

Degree Show

The work produced in my last module was for the RNID (the Royal National Institute for Deaf people) based on the experience of being deaf. This featured in the Degree show at the University of Plymouth which runs until 24th June.

Branding of Plymouth unveiled

The project that myself, Iain and Mario have been working on with Lloyd Northover and the Plymouth City Development Company has finally reached its conclusion. A brand framework, or 'brand world' as some would call it, has been developed. 


The tagline 'Positively Plymouth' encourages the numerous aspects of Plymouth, and the hidden ones too, to be celebrated. With so much to offer, Plymouth is an interesting and intriguing place to visit. 

There is a grid that images and text fit into and work around. The dynamic nature of this framework gives a large amount of freedom yet provides a distinct identity and tie between all that is produced. Both books and posters, and whichever company uses it, it all works and fits together and the idea is that the imagery used is found imagery from the public (or at least for council led promotion)

In conclusion, the framework provides the flexibility for the council and companies within plymouth to work with and creates a true, unique and beautiful feel to the place. However for it to work effectively consideration and the keen eye of a designer will be needed to keep the brand consistent.

Talking about opportunities

I will soon be coming to a computer screen near you...


On friday I was filmed for the University talking about the benefits of work experience, my experiences at Adapt Graphics and Company of Designers, and about the Designers Society; how we were formed, what we do and how it can benefit students.


Along with videos of other creative students this will be sent out to 1st year students as they join the university in September.


For a student, and as a creative, it is making the most out of every opportunity that helps you to stand out and develop.

Jigsaw Project under way!

The Jigsaw project. A competition initiated through the Designers Society in partnership with the council to design a signature space within Plymouth. Although presented as a scrap of grass to the city in April, the space is finally being built on. More images and info will come in due course as the space develops...

Student of the Year 2010

At the private view exhibition of the degree show (11/06/10) I was awarded the prestigious 'Student of the Year' award for 2010. 

This was based on 'all-round academic performance and studentship' throughout my three years at university both as a student rep and for my work with the Designers Society. My commitment throughout the three years has been to helping others on my course reach their full potential and this was finally realised through the Designers Society by providing a range of fantastic opportunities not only to my own course, but creatives throughout the university. 

Let us hope for more of the same!

(Regardless of what I have done, I could not have done it without the guidance and help from my tutors, in particular David Smart; Patrick Baglee at Navyblue for being a fountain of inspiration; my friends, in particular Mario Picariello, Iain Rex, Jess Walker, Joseph Wanyoike and Hannah McCaughan; finally the DS committee and members, both in their support and feedback. There are many others too but too many to name.)

Direct mail.

Received a ticket to 'IPEX' through the post this morning. Could there be a better way to make me feel any more special than printing my name on the front in some wacky interesting design. This is reflected through the inside of the flyer and as can be seen at the bottom of the flyer, I also get my own webpage with the personalised design reflected again. Little does it occur that everyone has the same thing but it works. 

For more information on the event visit IPEX.

Rebranding of Plymouth2

Myself, Mario and Iain helped out at the museum over Easter to get kids to think of their 'favourite location/memory of Plymouth'. All that we are collecting is reported back to the council and Lloyd Northover.

'Master of Swirls'

A few months ago I was working late at night, saw a designers work and just knew I had to share this with the world. Luckily, as chair of the Designers Society I could. 


On 5 May 2010 Si Scott, the world famous illustrator, came to present to the Designers Society. An incredibly talented creative; his insight into the realities of work produced and the way the creative industry really is was really great to hear.


One of the other benefits to leading the Designers Society is being able to spend a large amount of time talking directly to these creatives and Si is one of those really passionate individuals who's work shines out above the rest. What a genuine and friendly guy to be around and most definitely stay in touch! 

'Designers on Steroids'

It seems 2009/10 is the year Devon got creative and joined up with the rest of the country. Not only has the Designers Society grown and matured into something beyond my wildest dreams (and keep an eye on it as the plans I have set in motion for next year are going to be amazing) but 'Designed in Devon' has re-established itself as a leading south west networking group, Createxe has been formed by Michael Greenland and now Creative Brkfst has been formed by Nathan Davis of Tee-Design in Tavistock. 

It was nice to find this was in part inspired by what we are doing at the society leading Patrick's influence in full circle back into the industry. 

Anyway-

Today was the first Creative Brkfst and it was a huge success, selling all tickets. Michael Greenland presented a short lecture followed by a mammoth networking session with some amazing contacts made. Really gives inspiration that Devon is fast becoming the place to be for creative individuals!! (See photos of event)


Creative Brkfst runs every first friday of the month and worth visiting to see what they are about.


The video of Michael Greenland's presentation can be found here.  and it is worth listening to even if we can't see anything on screen!

Award!!

Last night was the University of Plymouth Student Union awards where the designers society won two awards!


1. 'Best Society Event'. This was when Harry Pearce from Pentagram came down to visit in January and present a lecture enticing designers and students from across the south west and also then afterwards opening an exhibition of students work which resulted in a work placement for one of the students and gave us the opportunity of working alongside the council on the Jigsaw project!

2. 'Best New Society of the Year'  Not only this but I won an award too for 'Contribution to Societies' for all the hard work that has been done establishing the society and making such a great start. It is coming up to the time when I should hand over to my replacement and it will be very sad to see it go out of my grasp, but I know it will be in fantastic hands and strive towards bigger and better goals!

Opinion Piece

I know it is looked well on design organisations taking an opinion and the Designers Society should be no different. I am as yet unsure what to make of this film that was introduced to me last night. 

It does not have a clear purpose, there is obviously a message but unclear at exactly what it is. I understand it has already been banned from Youtube but should vimeo do the same? So there is freedom of speech. Fine. I may not care as much if only I knew what the purpose of this film is. 

If you are ginger, now is a good time to look away.



M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

Jigsaw Project

In collaboration with the 'Plymouth City Council' and 'Groundworks' the Designers Society that I chair has been working on the 'Jigsaw project' and what goes into the space between Roland Levinsky building and Drakes Circus shopping centre. Work doesn't seem to have much urgency at present but little by little changes are happening and today they rolled on some grass bundles! Soon start to take shape I hope.


-----
Update 07/05/10:

-----

Update 17/05/10:

We have just been informed that the 'Jigsaw' site is being presented to the Lord Mayor of Plymouth on the 22nd of May. Not having been able to get in touch with the council on the matter to find out the final design there is always the suspicion on how the site will get from this to a finished piece similar to any of the designs shown in just over a week...

Tea

Ever since doing a project before christmas trying to encourage people to drink more tea I have become a tea-aholic. I have bought more tea this year than anything else, testing and enjoying the vast variety of flavours. 


I have always admired the packaging design used with Clipper and on seeing some limited edition 'Alice in Wonderland' themed packs I just had to buy them. Not only do they look fantastic but they taste great too! They are a unique and original tea company that proves design can make a difference. 

RANT!

Why is technology not built to last? It seems that everything we buy has a life expectancy of about 1 or two years - if that! A recent set of headphones I bought have just fallen apart in my ear! 


Takes phones for example, when they first came out the battery used to last for weeks, now my dads blackberry doesn't even last a day! Why can't these companies improve on the basics before they focus on the exciting new inventions??


Just stop and think how many phones you may have been through in the past couple of years! Since I first bought a phone about 7 years ago I am now on my fourth phone! How disgusting! I think that companies need to stop focusing on the next new thing and improve on what they do have, improving how robust and user friendly things are. 


I am recently toying with the idea of buying a new camera because mine is now several models behind and very quickly ceasing to work. 


Do I even need to move onto the difference between PC and Mac? Why cant people solve all problems with technology before being released. OK so Joe Public has accepted that everything they buy will go tits-up in a year or two but WHY should they be expected to accept this. We should be pushing for improvements. We don't need the latest extra mega pixel - we need something we can use and will last us over a long period of time for the extortionate prices we pay!


I could go on all day but it could get very tedious for both the reader and for me when I should be writing my dissertation...