Fish Chair

I was reading a copy of ShortList magazine, when I came across an article about a Dutch Firm (Ontwerpers) who have taken inspiration from nature to create a new product.



As you can see from this picture, this seems like an amazing idea, why has no one thought of this brilliant solution to a comfy read at night before?!
Well these designers have taken to looking at nature, in this case, specifically the 'angler fish' which most people will be most familiar with from Finding Nemo.





This fish uses a light attached to a growth protruding from their head to lure unsuspecting fish in the dark...although the light from the chair is for something quite different it is still interesting how we can take inspiration from nature to influence our design, after all, it has worked for them for millions of years, why not learn from that to improve our world!

Creatve Review Feat. Leeds Graduates

I recently picked up a copy of Creative Review as it was the 'graduate special' and I was intrigued to see what type of work caught the eyes of the Creative Review team from the millions of pieces of work they would have seen from graduate shows all across the country.

So I was extremely happy when I came across the first pair of graduates who happened to be from Leeds University!
I personally didn't know the pair, Joe Keirs and James Callahan, but after reading the article I became a lot more enthusiastic about returning to the course this year. They showed that with determination and a passion for what you want to do you can get what you want, illustrated by the fact that they were able to persuade tutors that they should be allowed to collaborate on projetcs where, as we all know, our final year is concentrated on our own individual work.

I also enjoyed reading about how they did a lot of their own work in their spare time as I have often done illustrations or made books but not thought they were of any importance simply because they were not givent o me in a brief format...now my perspective has changed and I am realising that work done out of the university guidelines can often be of great help to expand your work for briefs.

The favourite thing i came across was this, just because I liked the personal touch;



You can see more of their work at: http://jamesandjoe.co.uk/


Other than our ouwn home grown talent there were some other really interesting designers in this issue.

One graduate that I thought stood out was Eilin Bergum who does a lot of hand made things which I believe is the reason her work stood out to be picked for this issue of creative review if you have time to look at her blog it is quite interesting to read about some of her projects: http://eilinbergum.com/

Lastly, two graduates from 'Communication Design' In Kingston caught my eye with a simple but genius project. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves but I thought it was a clever way to show something that designers might not always think about.

The Dirty Future

I found this poster which I thought was really clever by Roland Tiangco:






















I don't know how it is achieved but i like the tactile nature of it and the element of suspense to create interest.

London Digital Week

I was talking to a friend who studies Architecture and he mentioned that he would be travelling to London soon to visit and to attend the 'London Digital Week'

The week is described as:
Digital today is truly enshrined in much of what we all do, and as a result the festival program features a broad range of subject matters. The events cover digital marketing, interaction design, advertising, planning, strategy, branding, social media, gaming, television, film, post production, motions graphics, mobile, publishing, content, print, illustration, art, music, fashion, interior design, architecture, product design, education, skills and careers. If you work in any of these industries, would like to, or perhaps have something to say to those people, then you should be getting involved with London Digital Week!

It sounds like it would be worth a visit if you have time to go down, I know I'd like to branch out a bit more this year and go to things that I might not necessarily have had an interest in before. It seems like there is a lot to do with architecture but I still think this could be interesting.
I was particularly drawn to the 'she says' event on 23rd September, a free gathering where you can meet industry experts and ask them questions one on one all with olives and alcohol and it's FREEEEEEEEEE! This seems to me like a must not miss opportunity!

The overall website to view all the events is: http://www.londondigitalweek.com/
and there is a big link to the 'SHE SAYS' event.

Are you my Type?

Sometimes I come across a typeface sued in a magazine or an advert etc and either a) i like it and want to know what it is or b) become a complete geek and know i recognise it but can't put a name to a (type)face and it drives me crazy! So this is a useful tool for anyone who has these problems

http://typenav.fontshop.com/

talking trash (bags)

I don't know if people have already seen this but I thought it was interesting when I saw the pictures and I've never seen an interview with the artist before.

This is some ambient media, or guerilla art, where Joshua Allen Harris uses bin liners to create street art, relying on the wind from passing underground trains to inflate his 'structures' to make indivisual pieces of animated art.

I love the way he did this, as it was purely for his own pleasure and is something everyone can appreciate. It shows that if you think of your surroundings you can utilise them in an innovative and interesting way!

I am interested in making things by hand, and producing work that is not so computer based and I think this is an interesting alternative to the obvious such as illustration.

taking the piss

i found these 'instructions' for using a bathroom online and I liked the way they used a style which is associated with serious situations, such as aeroplane guidelines, with a comical twist to create this humorous poster.
I also like the lack of copy and simple colours, the restrictions are similar to some we receive on briefs and show how you can use restrictions to your advantage by challenging peoples expectations and twisting norms.