Tuesday, July 20
Friday, July 16
White Space...
Minimalism - a term used to describe a concept adapted by various artists and designers where a piece is stripped down to its most fundamental features. The phrase, "Less is more", was adopted by architect Ludwig Mies van deer Rohe to describe his work and application of elements which eventually became, "completely absent" (Blaser).
The use of 'white space' is an approach to design I have found myself embracing, not deliberately, but through practice it has proven by majority the most effective and efficient tool to a successful layout. Repeated revision of pieces cluttered with experimental type and colour, images and graphics can easily confuse the initial purpose of a design.
"White space is nothing. White space is the absence of content. White space does not hold content in the way that a photograph or text holds meaning and yet it gives meaning, through context, to both image and text. In fact, white space can make or break the effective transmission of image and text. " Kieth Robertson
When gathering visuals from the past three years of work to spring clean my portfolio I will admit at first that I was surprised with the amount of white space and possibly this concerned me that the overall style I have developed may appear bare, boring and may visually deny a lack of character. However, on reflection I concluded that actually the extensive use of white space adds legibility and an effective response to briefs given.
For me, Swiss modernist design is the ultimate faith to follow and works everytime. “I haven’t changed my mind about modernism from the first day I ever did it…. It means integrity; it means honesty; it means the absence of sentimentality and the absence of nostalgia; it means simplicity; it means clarity. That’s what modernism means to me…" - wise words from Paul Rand one of the key originals of swiss graphic design.
Wednesday, July 14
The joys of designing your own identity
Well, to feel better and drive myself out of the guilt of not updating my blog as much as I could/should, I decided to help myself out with researching what advice is out there to move my new identitiy forward. Tell me something friends, isn’t it much harder to make an identity for yourself than for a client or I am being exceptional. My Ideas for my new website design are driving me crazy. Although, we all know ourselves so well but still I think designing for yourself is one of the hardest things to do. Please, don’t think I am justifying working for clients as an easy job…..winning that battlefield has its own difficulties. Being a graphic designer, we all know how to satisfy our clients and fulfill their demands…every graphic designing blog has enough stuff on it. However, I want to help make things easy for myself. I have found some great advice on "How To Be A Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul". A book which gives clarity over chaos and possesses the power for me to realise I am not alone in my frustrations. Five simple steps to stay on track without churning out a chain of unsatisfying outcomes... 1. Be satisfied and trust your strongest initial idea without back tracking. 2. Design as though you are working for an important client 3. Be open to criticism 4. Plan and prioritise each process of the design 5. Take day breaks/intervals to give yourself perspective |
Germano Facetti: Penguin Books
By far my favourite, Facetti's direction delivered works with a punch that provided Penguin with an identity that was unique and consistent but also alowed each piece of literature to maintain its own identity. Most notable of all, Facetti introduced the black series colour, with restrained but modern sans serif capitals, for the translations from Greek and Latin for which Penguin was well known. Despite initial reservations the black looked so distinguished and gained such a reputation that its use was later extended to English literature. It is now the livery of the most comprehensive literary library in print from any publisher.
Tuesday, July 6
On Your Beach
A very close friend of mine has set herself the challenge to clean up our british coast, please check out her beautiful creations made purely from litter left on our beaches. Website coming soon.
OnYourBeach design generates valuable funding for beach clean up initiatives across South Wales and Gower, using fashion as a vehicle for change - to wear a T shirt is to endorse the brand, and to endorse “OnYourBeach” is to celebrate an environmental conscience.
This project has evolved though passion, a combined force of design and activism, but now relies on public engagement. With your help, "OnYourBeach" can become the driving force behind a new realm of beach care and education, a safer sandy environment, and a saving grace for the South West coastline of Wales.
Monday, July 5
Ditchling Museum
This weekend I went to visit Ditchling Museum in the heart of the Sussex countryside. In the beautiful location of Ditchling village resides a very humble, quaint church which accommodates The Ditchling Museum. This is set alongside the work of some of the most influential names in the English arts and crafts movement - Eric Gill, sculptor; Edward Johnston, calligrapher; Ethel Mairet, weaver; David Jones, painter and poet; Sir Frank Brangwyn, muralist.
Entering the world of these artists allows you to understand the religious mission of Gill and his acquaintances. Ditchling Museum, reaching through a violet-painted door at the end of a lane by the church, is a treat. Naturally, there is a good showing of works by Gill and his contemporaries, but also a special exhibition of today's Sussex craftspeople.
I took particular interest in the works of David Jones, artist and poet who captures the beauty of the South Downes but also the magical scenery of Capel-y-ffin, South Wales.
Friday, July 2
Meanwhile...
I am loving Jonny Spry's work, he generates highly effective visuals purely by accumulating an array of different stamps and recognising the beauty behind each individual design. He creates a montage of contradicting components many of which represent iconic cultural elements. Each stamp offers a narrative to a particular period of time and culture, by collaborating these stories Jonny modifies connotations of stamp collection and possibly an ignorance towards the charm of stamp design and delivers outcomes of aesthetic harmony.
New Website
After much deliberation I have decided to re-design my personal website (again). Please bare with me while this comes together...
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