Wednesday 30 June 2010

Weather Forecast for Friday Evening

New Designers 2010

As usual - it's in the business Design Center in Islington - 1- 11 July ( 2 parts ) - website here. Visual Com and Graphics is part 2, 8-11 July. They have a facebook Group here, and you can book your ticket here.

Part 2 will be opened my Micheal Woolf - who gave me my first Job in about 1989 - but he probably won't remember me...

Monday 28 June 2010

SCCH Review of the year

There is a video review of the last 12 months on the college website, it includes Jonathon winning a YCN and the Jewood presentation - the way they have cropped it - I look like an Eastern European Pimp trying to sell the girls off.

Sunday 27 June 2010

Showcase: OMFC

The Original Manufacturing Company, really clever American outfit who manage the tricky job of combining modern and retro visual language to build something new.

They also demonstrate how to take a brief all the way through every permutation, not just providing the client with a logo - but taking it all the way through to every sector of their business, quite a handy reference for next years FMP's - they also have a blog.

How to design a logo

The right way - with a sketchbook first - and then a little bit of effort. This is what we mean when we say 'investigate' something - I also think that using graph paper sketchbooks is a really good idea for any of you who are less confident with drawing freehand. You should never just sit in front of the computer and expect something to 'happen' onscreen - unless you want us to awards you Diploma to the hard drive.

I like this article because it shows how far the designer went with very little input at the start of the exercise, most of these sketches are bad ideas, but they needed to go through the process to get to where they needed to be and discount all the dead ends, during the examination last week all the sketchbooks were scrutinized looking for exactly this process - and marks deducted when it was found to be absent.

You should be able to design anywhere - on the bus, train - sitting in the pub - not just when you are in college in the time between lunch and fag breaks ( which is some cases leaves about 40 mins ).

One of the comments from the Exam board and the senior staff from Brighton who came to see the show was that this is a full time course - the two days a week when you are not in the studio are still college time - so learn to use it.

p.s. this site is in German - it has an auto-translated version - but don't bother - it's unreadable

Friday 25 June 2010

D&AD NewBlood

I'm sure David McG wont mind me posting a link to his flikr set - several people have already told me that Bournemouth had the best stand - and half the world was tweeted when the St Martins display fell down, pics here

Thursday 24 June 2010

Showcase: Self Publish

Really interesting little blog celebrating Self Publishing, something you all need to consider - also quite handy if you want to know what trendy young design types are wearing this season.

Showcase: Ilvy Jacobs

Really nice Scandanavian student work - including some great projects with brown paper bags - right where FDA 1 should have been thinking for their last brief  - website here

That's all, folks.

Now that everything is all done, a couple of loose ends.

Please don't ask for me to talk about the marks or the exam boards - you know I'm not allowed to refer to it in any way. I understand it will be about 2 weeks before you are informed of the results by Brighton University.

The decals need to be taken care of ( I'm assuming Tom and David are happy to Get on with this ) - there is still £60 in the slush fund.

I'm also assuming that Jonathon is getting on with the Totem - the bill needs to go to Marketing, Ali can help you there - as there is a small shortfall - that has to come from the slush fund and the bar in the first instance - but I'll be trying to get that in petty cash from the department. I'll let you know.

Please remove your sketchbooks before the show.

We need a timetable for all students to attend the show during open hours at some time - it must never be left alone - EVER!

Make sure you have made arrangements to come in and take down your work after the final session - as we are leaving the site shortly - anything that is left behind gets lost forever.

I'm not timetabled as such, but I will be about sometimes if anyone needs to talk to me about work. If anyone wants to see me - email and make an appointment.

I think you can collect your PP folio's from the office - I'm just waiting for confirmation.

Don't forget your library books.

Do you need me to organise the bar - or are you happy to manage it yourself?

The blog will continue - and you are all welcome to follow - even if you are not going 'upstairs' - and you all have my contact details if you need anything.


many thanks

R

One for the first years.

If you were less than happy with your Pasta Promotion brief from earlier in the year - have a look at this, design work for the Sydney International Food Festival .

It also ties in a bit with the Union Jack Brief - I'll never forgive the student who didn't follow through and make hers' from Bacon, Eggs and Beans.

Wednesday 23 June 2010

In defence of Comic Sans

Really.... from The Guardian, the last line might be directed at David McG.

Never do this!!!!

You always get caught!!!!

If you are any good - at some point, someone will rip you off - that's life. Personal and professional ethics are really important in this industry - so be honest and keep your nose clean, if your work references something else - that's fine - give credit where it's due, there is nothing wrong with that, there are very few truly original ideas out there.

In the past I've seen other people take credit for my work and once I interviewed someone who had a project I did myself in their portfolio - I've also been in a presentation and was told by a potential client that something I had just shown them "wasn't done by you - I know the guy who did it" ( I'd like to meet this guy and 'invite him outside'... )

The bottom line is - you always get caught - one way or another - the tutors are not stupid - we know when you've appropriated something - we have exceptional visual recall - it's our job, and the internet makes it impossible to hide, so be good boys and girls and play by the rules.

Showcase: fajnechlopaki

Really interesting work from a small Polish design studio - 2 man outfit - very varied work and lots of influences, but funny and inventive - their websites have a strong house-style and are polished and commerical - and they are very inventive with typography. Their is nothing dry about their work and they look like they are enjoying themselves - they are also really commercial - if you look at the identities section - there is a lot of client led work - and that's great!

I've accepted quite a few former eastern Block students onto the course next year - so I'm hoping for some Slavic influences!!

Website here

Tuesday 22 June 2010

Reid Miles

For all of FDA1 who remember the Reid Miles typography project from last year - Tom and David found this little gem - it's lovely!

Reid Miles Comes To Life

Monday 21 June 2010

That's all folks - over and done!

See you all at 9am for the assessment panel meeting - can you wait somewhere handy - the quad should be nice enough in the sun - I'll make sure you are kept informed - I doubt that we need you for more than 2 hours - and probably the same on Wednesday.

Best piece of World Cup graphics so far.

Sunday 20 June 2010

FDA1 Summer Project

I've posted the brief for you over on the right under 'resources'

Exam week - starting June 21st

Very important week of us all - and a really busy one for me.

As far as FDA2 are concerned - you 100% must be in attendance all day Tuesday and Wednesday - until you are told that you can go home. I will do my best to give you a more specific time window and will try not to keep you in for more than a couple of hours - I'll let you know tomorrow.

On Monday - I am having an internal verification - which means that the marks you have all been given throughout the year are checked from a sample set across a range of modules to make sure that the marks and comments you are given are fair and appropriate - this will be in the afternoon so I really don't want to see anyone around after 2pm.

On Tuesday it's the formal assessment - 8 invited members of staff will spend several hours looking at the diploma show and giving their marks and comments on the presentation module - all the marks are collated and added to the module marks throughout the year to give you a final grade. You must be ready to come into the examination if you are called - the most likely reason being a student who is marked right on the threshold of two grades, and we may need help deciding which way to go. It's not a confrontational process - if we do call you in - it's an opportunity for you to talk about your work in a positive way - be enthusiastic and set out to impress. make sure that you understand your rational and can talk about the brief and process articulatley - if you get nervous or fluff your lines it may come across as lack of confidence in your work.

These assessments go on for quite a long time - we may simple call in a really good student to give them the chance to talk about a strong piece of work - so don't worry about it.


On Wednesday - David Sims will be in the college, he is the external assessor and will look at all your work and my final grades - and will confirm ( hopefully ) that the marks are fair and accurate.

On Thursday - it's the examination board - All the departments will present their final grades etc to the University throughout the day - we don't need you for this.

A couple of extra things.

Tom has offered to take care of the vinyls for the room - ( cheers Tom! ) - there should be enough cash left over from the slush fund to cover it.

The beer has been ordered - we will also need some juice and some plastic glasses ( and paper towels, ice and tea towels too ), I think that someone mentioned they had a Costco card. You should have a chat about that when you are all together on Tuesday, and decide who is running the bar. We should made a tidy profit there - On the night I'll let you have access to the office to keep the money etc - many thanks to Robert for donating his splendid plinth for the bar, that's brilliant.

I also think it's a really good idea that you put a couple of quid into the pot each and buy a decent bottle of wine for Paul at MartelPrint - anyone who had work printed there must contribute and sign a card for him - there is no getting away from the fact that he's saved you bacon this year. Every year the printing is a nightmare, it's usually really stressful and expensive and the last few days are chaos - but this year has been a dream - and many of you will need him next year. There is a cheese and wine place next to Judges just down the road from Martel and they deliver - about £25 should buy something top of the range in a nice box - no more than about £2.50 each - well worth the money.

Finally - thanks to everyone - this last week went really smoothly, the work looks great - the room is a triumph and you all deserve to be really proud of the work and yourselves - brilliant!

Friday 18 June 2010

Friday June 18th

Last day today for putting up the show!!!!!!

FDA2 meeting at 2pm in the studio - all students MUST attend.

Can the 3 students who still have not contributed to the cash fund please bring their money with them today.

I have no more sticky pads to sell - and there are probably none left in the local shops - if you need anything - buy it before you come in today, tape - filler - spirit levels etc - use your common sense, most supplies have been used up and all the other departments are pitting shows up as well ( I do have plenty of white paint )

Studio closes at 5.30pm

6pm - private view for the degree show at Station Plaza and FiSH. Drinks and nibbles etc.

Tuesday 15 June 2010

FDA2 dates for the diary

You need all the work on the boards on Friday Afternoon by 6pm at the latest

Monday 21st - Any issues regarding rational and brief resolved

Tuesday 22nd - Assessment day - you must all be on site in case we need to talk to you

Wednesday 23rd - External Assessor - You must be here all day again

Thursday 24th - Exam Board - when we calculate your grades



These dates are set in stone and you must comply - I'm sure you all know that - but it's worth repeating.

Sunday 13 June 2010

Stade Photo Competition

MY STADE is a photography competition open to all. The brief is to take photographs of The Stade, and express what it means to you. The judges are looking for personal interpretations in terms of it's cultural and environmental importance, experimental work welcome. You may enter a maximum of 3 images.

Winners each receive a Cannon Powershot digital camera and will be on display at the Fisherman's Museum, Shipwreck and Costal heritage Centre or Blue Reef aquarium from Monday 11th October to Saturday 13th November as part of the Brighton Photo Fringe Festival.

details here

FDA2 this week

The room is now ready to put your work up - and I have drawn up a room plan, there is actually quite a lot of space this year and I've seen all your work so I have been able to lay out the room to suit everyone, if there is anyone who isn't 100% happy - talk to me about it as soon as you can.

I'm busy all day Monday in the little office next to 301 giving FDA1 tutorials - and at Station Plaza on Wednesday with Yr 1.

I'm going to be in on Tuesday all day and want to see everyone for a talk about their rationale - I've seen some good ones already - but I think many of you underestimate how important these are and how essential it is to get them right and present them to the same standard as your FMP.

I'd also like to say a really big thank-you to the students who put in so much work this week with the room - much appreciated, it looks fantastic, Richard Tech was delighted with his crate of ale.

More than half of you have paid me the £7 materials cost - personally I think that the students who didn't participate in the boarding and decorating should bung in an extra fiver to make up for it. If anyone fails to pay me before the end of next week - you will not be given your share of the bar profits.

FDA1 this week

You all know that you have Tutorials on Monday - and the correct times - please don't be late - they are important.

On Wednesday - because 3 of you are appearing in the Fashion Show - I have agreed to move the presentations of the final Module to the morning - same place, Room 4100 in station Plaza. It makes more sense because it will be noisy later on with the music and I don't want people running in and out half dressed and in full Lady Ga Ga makeup.

In the afternoon - David and I are looking at your collated marks, your PP folio's and general performance - we may wish to talk to some of you - so hang around if we ask you to.

The fashion show is on in the early evening - you can get a ticket from Ali - please support the event - the students have worked really hard this year.

Photography competition in the Guardian

Win a photographic trip in South Africa - info here

Friday 11 June 2010

Next Weeks Timetable

FDA1 Monday 14th

Archery Road - Tutorials - times as booked in the little office next to the studio

FDA1 Wednesday 16th

Room 4100 Station Plaza from 10.30am - PP in the morning, Presentations to Richard and David all afternoon starting at 1.15pm sharp.

FDA2

Putting up the show in 301 all week

Thursday 10 June 2010

Temp Job at Wave, Hastings

Hello all

We are looking for one or two people, for two days who can update our client contact lists. 
People who can search or phone organisations quickly, pleasantly and methodically. 
The people we work for are; charities, education and not for profits. Generally, nice folk who don't need any hard sell.

We use macs and filemaker pro and would provide the space within the studio.
This work needs to be done in the next week!

We can pay £10 per hour.
If interested, email me with your phone number and times when convenient for me to call you.
Please do not call me the first instance. Thank you for your attention.

Kind regards

Felix

Felix Lozano

FDA1 tutorials

These are the outstanding Student Tutorial times for Monday June 14th. They will be in the little office next to room 301.

I need you to be on time and ready for your meeting, bring an overview of all your work - we need to talk about what you have done, learned this year and where you are planning on taking your studies after summer.


10.00 - Sarah Howard

10.30 - Matt Barnes

11.00 - Lilly Lavin

11.30 - Robyn Layton

12.00 - Jeremy Roberts

12.30 - Dan Gorham



Lunch Break



1.30 - Anya Jones

2.00 - Maddie Crampton

2.30 - Zac Barton

3.00 - Carmen Wong

3.30 - Francessca Owen

4.00- Lorna Moloney

FDA2 Money etc.

I paid for the paint and the gifts for Jane / Ali and Richard tech today - I've started collecting the cash - it comes to £7 each, which will also cover the cost of the vinyl graphics for the room.

Julia has arranged for her dad to bring a load of bottled beer over from Belgium for the PV - the boys are arranging a bar - and we should easily double our money - at the end I'll divy up all the cash and you should get your money back plus about a fiver each!

Please let me have your £7 as soon as possible - even I need to eat.

In Other news - the room is almost finished - after Friday it's ready to hang work. I'm not going to start allocating spaces until Monday. I will be in all week - except Monday when David and I will be in Station Plaza with year 1.

I will be running FDA1 tutorials all day on Monday in the small office.

Apple Design Award Winners

The Apple Design Awards 2010 recognize iPhone OS applications that demonstrate technical excellence, innovation, superior technology adoption, high performance, and outstanding design. Each year, winning products set new standards for the developer community to follow. Read about what made this year's winners stand out above the rest.

Wednesday 9 June 2010

Year 2 students....

Thanks to everyone for coming in ... well... not the ones who didn't... but the ones who did were much appreciated.

It's really unfair to expect other students to do all the work for you - I expect EVERYONE to take part in the room preparation, it looks like it will all be finished by tomorrow afternoon.

You all might consider having a whip round for Richard the tech - a couple of quid each should manage a decent bottle of Scotch - he's worked really hard for you lot!!!!!

If you all come in tomorrow we can organise the vinyls and the last bit of preparation - you can chose your section and I can draw a map and help you - if you don't I'll just shove you in a corner or something.

Don't think I'm not keeping a score of who helps and who does not!!!!

FDA1 timetable next week.

On Monday June 14th - you are all having a tutorial with myself and possibly David - in my office in Archery Road. Some of you will already have had a tutorial ( today ) - I will email a list to everyone with your attendance times.

This tutorial is important and formal - as I have already explained - see it as an interview for next year - you should all know how to present yourself by now.

On Wednesday 16th of June you are at Station plaza all day - from 10.30 - in room 4100.

We shall be marking the PP portfolios in the morning and dealing with any outstanding issues - at 1.30 you have the presentations of the 5 of 7 briefs - which is your final piece of work this academic year - I shall also brief you on your Summer project.

Summer Fun Stuff

i-Candy have a number of things in the pipeline , all with opportunities for your good selves!

I will just list them, if you are interested in any, just get in touch.

July 4th.

American Diner day at Eat cafe.
To follow on from the successful Vintage Tea and Sale,we are organising an American Diner day.
This will be in conjunction with the America Ground celebrations in Hastings. We are looking for artist and makers to place work in the sale on the day. Although work does not have to be American themed(!) we are looking for bright, contemporary work.

July 10th.
Electric Blowhole.
9pm till 2pm. The Pig in Paradise.
Bands, projections, The Crooked Press, live Art, DJ's, films, installations, a very cool night out.
£2.50 on the door.

August 28th.
Pretty Crafty 4.
a dedicated and contemporary art and craft sale in the heart of Hastings.
Fully supported by the Town Centre Management, this is a well received and popular event. We are now taking stall bookings.

September 4th.

Day@The Park.
Hopefully the first of many events we are co-organising in Alexandra Park.
A new version of the village fete, we are running a large, contemporary family fun day.
Kid's rides, music, charity and commercial stalls, food, music, punch and judy, a display arena, veg contest, you get the picture!!
Stalls are available for this event, please get in touch!

September 23rd.

Oscillate Wildly.
A night for all the Smith's fans out there!
A chance to bring an instrument and play your version of your favourite Smiths song!
Dj's, films singalons and a chance to hang out with other fans!
8pm till midnight £2 on the door.

All of events are also on facebook. For all those at Eat Cafe check the
"Eat @ Hastings" group.

For everthing else, just type in the event title.

Thanks for reading.

Michelle ( i-Candy Arts )

Photography Exhibitions

From The Guardian Culture Section

The monthly guide to the 20 best photographic exhibitions and books with photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Philip-Lorca DiCorcia, Helen Levitt, Don McCullin, Man Ray, Sally Mann, Bruce Davidson, Ansel Adams and many more

Click the play button to watch the slideshow; click on 'captions' for information on the photographs; pause and click on the links in the captions to be directed to relevant articles, galleries and websites

Tuesday 8 June 2010



Tuesday June 8th

Today is a home study day for FDA1 - so we don't need to see you.

Many thanks to the students that helped yesterday - the studio is nearly boarded out - from tomorrow I need FDA2 to come in with gumstrip - pollyfilla brushes and sandpaper if they have it - and start getting the room ready - as soon as we get that done and your space selected - you can concentrate on choosing your space and putting your show.

I'm going to be around today - if anyone needs to see me - email to make sure I'm in the office - or just come in and look for me ( both years ).

On Monday - FDA 1 will have tutorials with me - I'll email out a list of times etc, we are also working out today where we can work tomorrow - so keep posted.

R

Sunday 6 June 2010

Retro Graphics in The Independent magazine

Good Article from yesterdays Independent to launch the book 'New Retro' - focusing on how retro graphics and nostalgia are popular and 'modern' again - I have a feeling that one of the Top up students wrote her thesis on this self same subject.

FDA1 Timetable. Monday June 7th

I need you all in the studio on Monday Morning at 10am as usual - we have a lot to do first thing and the studio is only open to you for work until 11.30am. You must make sure that you are available Monday and Wednesday this week and next ALL DAY as timetabled - there are 3 important marks to collate and presentations to give, no excuses!!

Showcase. Display
























The archive site, Display 'documents Mid Century Modern Design" - it's an excellent site and a really good research resource for your Critical and Cultural studies. It has an archive collection that you can brows, a bookstore and many features, the overview of services is here.

FDA1 really need to become more informed and articulate in modern design history - this is a really great way to engage with the past and understand how relevant it is to today.

Apple Street Museum App.

Great article in the Street View application for iPhone in Creative Review that fit's neatly with some of the FDA2 interactive projects - really good example of how this technology can be made to work.

Poster Showcase: Great finds and a good book



















Posters on the walls of an abandoned section of Notting Hill Tube station


I've been sent this amazing like to an article about vintage posters being discovered in a boarded off area of a tube station - this section of Notting Hill Station had been closed for 50 yers.

The Guardian also has a showcase of posters that changed the way that we say modern design - gallery here and story here.



The history of the modern British poster from 1915 to 1970 is nothing less than a potted history of British society, culture, politics and the economy in that period. It is also, of course, a history of art and design as well as advertising.

"The poster can tell us many things about ourselves," says the collector, curator, lecturer and writer Paul Rennie, from whose book, Modern British Posters: Art, Design & Communication, these wonderful images are taken. "It tells us, for instance, that we are essentially a neat and ordered conservative nation.
"The idea that modernism didn't happen in Britain is wrong. It did, but we did not embrace modernity as a headlong rush into the future. We were much more tentative about it and our poster designs reflect that."

Friday 4 June 2010

Friday June 4th

The Studio is open all day today - it's the last full day that you will be able to use it.

On Monday it's going to be closed from 11.30 for boarding out. I need to see all FDA1 students in the morning as usual at 10am - no excuses - you will be getting a detailed timetable for the next 2 weeks - from me and on here, that explains where you need to be, there are 4 timetabled days left this term - remember that there are still 3 marks to collate and if you miss the deadlines you fail, and fail means no year 2.

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Urgent Notice.

The studio ( 301 ) will close at 11.30 on Monday Morning - Richard the technician will start to panel the room at lunch time - everything will be stripped out, including the computers. You must have removed all your work and taken anything off the computer hard drives by 11.30 at the latest or it will be lost.

FDA1

I will be posting a detailed timetable for FDA1 with tutorial and presentation times and places - I'm looking at booking us into Station Plaza, you are still timetabled for 2 days next week and the week after.

You have 3 important module marks left to collate, Proff practice, Communication with images and 2/3 D design. If you miss any of the presentations you will be failed and cannot go into year 2. We have been really flexible with you this year and some students have taken advantage of us - you cannot miss any deadlines in the next 2 weeks.

FDA2

You are timetabled as usual and already have the assessment dates - I shall be reminding you of them this week - any assistance in getting the room together and painting the boards.

Please do not email me and say "can I leave my work in your room"... because the answer is no.

Tuesday June 2nd

The studio is open now and I am here until 4pm.

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Shop Supplies for FMP

Shona in the shop has advised us that there are supplies of foam board / spraymount and sticky sponges etc - but if you require more - they take time to order - please think ahead and stock up now, you don't want to be running around in the last few days trying to buy stuff.

Tuesday June 1st

The studio is open and Richard will be in today from 10.30 - 4pm.