hblikethepencil

Read all about it!

2011-05-08T22:41:00.000+01:00

Hooray! Aesop, the brand story agency (who I'm fortunate enough to work for) is launching! We tell brand stories, wherever and whenever they need to be told.

Keep up to date with what we're up to via http://twitter.com/#!/AesopAgency (don't worry, there are proper tweeters involved in this, not yours truly!). Come and watch our story unfold...

Bugging about rugs

2011-03-07T22:40:00.001Z

So I've bought a latchpull rug canvas, and REALLY want to make something beautiful. BUT WHAT? I'd really like to play with the medium, doing something referencing the traditional aesthetics, but putting a contemporary an personal twist on them. And importantly, make it pretty. Some ideas I've been considering are:

a curb with some double yellow lines and a drain

brick path (maybe Wizard of Oz style?)

something more graphic using the pixel quality of the canvas

But I'm not there yet. Some inspiration has recently come from design-crisis

"Where's the library for men?"

2011-02-04T16:51:00.000Z

First post of 2011! Yet again I've got out of the habit, and I could say it's because I've been busy, which I have, but that's not a good enough excuse. Slap on wrist for me!

Last night I went to The Women's Library with a friend, having read that their latest exhibition is about domestic crafts. Very relevant to my MA final project. I'd never been to the library before, and it was a treat. A lovely space, and the main exhibition was beautifully curated. In the foyer there was also an exciting display of artwork by ceramist and all round crafty Nicola Malkin, with very witty large versions of everyday items, like a massive teabag in amongst the books. The Hand Made Tales exhibition is on until April, and Nicola's Crafted Footnotes is on until March. Go see! (Click on blog post title to whiz to The Women's Library website)

LittlePoddingtons

2010-11-15T15:50:00.005Z

I've been working with the lovely Janet at LittlePod for a while now, but now I'm based up in London it's a bit harder to get involved as much as I'd wish. So to combine my love of cooking and my need to lose a few lbs, I've started the LittlePod diet blog! Check it out: http://littlepoddiet.blogspot.com/

This is how to write a blog

2010-11-02T09:58:00.005Z

I keep a blog so I have somewhere to archive my favourite things. This is mostly for me, so I don't forget about them. I don't read many blogs that aren't to do with design, but one I check up on regularly is little miss Tavi, the Style Rookie. I love fashion, but I just don't know how she finds the time to do all this! Especially seeing as she's still at school. She's recently written for Pop magazine. This girl makes a mean mood board too.

Update: Still freelancing in London , but pretty much full-time now. It's amazing! Working with a great team and get to work on some exciting projects for big and small clients. I love my life right now.

Meanwhile...

2010-09-19T16:37:00.003+01:00

It's really been a bit hectic, so no posts for a while. Needless to say, Vintage was AMAZING, and since then I've been littlePodding, The Other Thingsing and freelancing in London, all very exciting. So because I've got another deadline looming, here's a visual diary of some highlights of the last few weeks...

"The New Festival of Britain"

2010-08-10T11:08:00.004+01:00

Wow I can't believe how fast this has come along, but it's nearly time for me to pack my little tent and skip across the country to Sussex for what promises to be an amazing festival. Yes, that's right, I'm off to Vintage at Goodwood! A combination of art, music, fashion, film and design curated into five areas focussing on all decades 40s - 80s. As well as looking back, they'll be questioning what will be the vintage of the future - what (if anything) are we to take from the 90s for example?! We're going to set up camp on the thursday so we can fit some horse racing in as well! I'll report back next week (with a significantly lighter purse I fear, uhoh)!

littlePod

2010-08-07T12:48:00.009+01:00

This company is heading for the stars, and I'm ecstatic that I've been asked to get involved in the design side. Living in Devon has it's perks! (click on the title of this post to fly to their website)

To Kill A Mockingbird

2010-07-13T13:53:00.004+01:00

I watched this film for the first time yesterday, I read the book years ago and loved it and the film was no disappointment, far from it. But the title sequence of this 1962 production stole the Oscar award winning show for me. So here are some links:

http://www.adcglobal.org/archive/hof/1983/?id=251
(Stephen Frankfurt's biog on the Art Directors Club website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP5MutuPVxk
(the title sequence itself)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg5f0SKrekA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnfxxWbXKtw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZaYaRmT_SE&feature=related
(a 1965 BBC documentary into Frankfurt's advertising career)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMgK-r8uxm8&feature=related
(Frankfurt talking about the title sequence)

Vintage Labels

2010-07-06T10:55:00.004+01:00

Found these while rootling round my room, don't know how they got there but they're pretty delicious (especially the pink one)...

Exeter Festival

2010-07-05T12:44:00.008+01:00

See the BMW ad featuring Theo Jansen on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcR7U2tuNoY

I was lucky enough to see the fabulous Theo Jansen kinetic sculptures strolling round Exeter on Saturday, far removed from their normal beach locations, but absolutely amazing to see in the flesh. Instead of their normal fuel of wind, they were aided by plastic bottles of air and small children. The Spacex gallery in town has been holding the first UK exhibition of the Dutch artist's work, and although that's over now, the gallery is still worth a trip.

Toy Story

2010-06-30T15:17:00.001+01:00

T.O.T. and bald chickens

2010-06-30T14:50:00.002+01:00

Craft vs Design

2010-05-07T13:06:00.009+01:00

Well I do love my weekly (Design Week) and bi-monthly (Crafts) visual updates, and look! Same cover! Highly recommend picking both of these up, they're full of talent and interesting articles, my favourite is probably Crafts Glenn Adamson's feature on the replica.

Eetsy crush on Etsy

2010-04-29T15:03:00.013+01:00

I love getting my Etsy Finds newsletters in my inbox, and just wanted to share a few of my favourite items out there in the ultimate everlasting craft fair...

From top:
Bambi by Hopeimages (http://www.etsy.com/shop/hopeimages)
William the tea cosy by MessyFishDotCom (http://www.etsy.com/shop/MessyFishDotCom)
hazel and ingrid, a double brown bear by EveryEskimo (http://www.etsy.com/shop/everyeskimo)

Errr

2010-04-10T11:26:00.007+01:00

Oops no posts for a month - bad Harriet. Bit distracted atm, so here's some new redesigns of weekly papers to review. Nice? I think so. Life changing? Fraid not. But I just want my fix of the design world (sorry I don't read NME anymore! Not enough time/pocket money) to be easy to navigate, easy to read and full of interesting stuff. And yes the new design does that better than the old I think. Both use colours well, adding interest on the magazine rack and variety in each issue. But I still don't really like the DW www. Better than NME's though!

Now the sun beckons. I'm able to listen to it now, so will take advantage before I go back to being up to the eyeballs.

Ffffalmouth

2010-03-07T09:25:00.003Z

Well I had an awesome weekend in Falmouth last week, thanks to some lovely people. So here's some Hedluv - who were FANTASTIC at the Haiti fundraiser at the Pavilion, some 90's girls on the beach, Christmas pressies I made for Sarah and Jo, and my magbear (or bearpie). He's had a clean and a new coat of glossy paint, and is looking quite lovely. We may make a series for The Other Things.

Busy week in London (freelancing) followed. Design Bridge tomorrow!

Visual Audit part I

2010-02-22T18:24:00.003Z

More to come, but I felt that as I am having a fairly productive day I should start documenting all my knitting projects. Normally I make for pressies and forget to photograph them. Well that's got to change! My good camera is charging and the sun just set, so will carry on my task tomorrow.

I want/need/want want want

2010-02-22T17:02:00.005Z

Oh wow how gorgeous. I mean, wow.

American designers Anthropologie opened their first European shop in London in October. I'll be back up in London in two weeks and I know where I'll be heading! Click on entry title to get to their website.

This may inspire me to use my newly acquired french knitting machine! My mum had it when she was a little girl growing up in Sweden.

Oliver Critter

2010-02-20T18:21:00.004Z

I had quite an experience at the hairdressers on Friday, and have now been left with very little to cover my ears. Luckily, this little critter turned out a charm and has cheered me right up. I don't think he's right for the intended recipient, so Reginald will have to stay here with me. This is not a selfish decision I promise! (Well maybe a bit, but only because I don't think he's their kind of fella - thats the problem with making things, you get too attached!) I'll be whipping up some uber cute baby booties over the weekend, so won't go empty handed on visiting day!

Purl Bee

2010-02-09T22:50:00.003Z

Love love LOVE this website, full of inspirational, gorgeous projects in gorgeous materials. I'm working on this for a friend's new born beautiful girl - working it in white, hoping for a quirky polar bear ghost.

http://www.purlbee.com/purl-critter/

The Other Things gearing up

2010-02-06T17:44:00.002Z

We're not there yet, but here's a cheeky sneaky peek at one of the first kits and the website design so far. Watch this space...

Seen but not heard

2010-01-24T14:07:00.006Z

OK well I've done neither recently, oops. So I'm now able to put MA after my name, with distinction! Ace. After a little recuperating sleep (that lasted most of October), I got myself in gear and have been up in London doing placements at some awesome studios full of lovely people. Just before Christmas I was at Unreal (http://www.unreal-uk.com/), and now I'm at Blue Marlin (http://www.bluemarlinbd.com/), then I'm doing some freelance work for the people of Buxton, then skipping off to DesignBridge (http://www.designbridge.com/) in March. Phew! But I'm also hoping to get The Other Things off the ground as well with Sarah, so get ready for that.

And for the visual section of this post, here are some photos my lovely friend Joanna Thomas (http://jomadethis.wordpress.com/) took of my joint exhibition with Sarah.

Vive la knit!

2009-09-12T17:09:00.002+01:00

At last my brain can deal with knitting again! It was all full of MA stuff before and everything else leaked out onto the floor. Knitted chain necklace anybody? I think this may look ace in canary yellow with a cable as a bracelet. Adding it to the project list!

Ceci n'est pas un étudiant

2009-09-11T17:39:00.006+01:00

It's not that I've got loads of free time on my hands (I really don't! I wish I did), but I felt like making a significant post of things I've seen recently that I like tres mucho. Oh and the poster for my joint exhibition with Sarah Hunt.

Links...
http://www.dezeen.com/2009/09/10/avifauna-by-maarten-kolk-guus-kusters/ (bird)
http://www.niessendevries.nl/ (knitting layout)
http://www.lardesign.co.uk/ (printer cross stitch)
http://www.todayandtomorrow.net/2009/09/11/dazzle-canoe/ (canoe)
http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2009/08/milk.html (milk cartons)
http://www.singstatistics.co.uk/ http://inkyfingers85.blogspot.com/ (cowboy boots)
http://nytimesbooks.blogspot.com/ (book jacket)
http://blog.artsparklets.co.uk/ (clouds)

Done and dusty

2009-09-04T18:06:00.002+01:00

Last night was the MA private view, it went swimmingly! Here are some little sneaky shots of my work, I'll get some more done soon I promise. So... that's it? No more MA? But still lots of work to do! Loose ends are being tied.

Laser laser lasersssss!!!

2009-08-11T20:12:00.004+01:00

I just spent the last day and a half mesmerised by the laser cutter as it cut out my A0 paper lace piece, and it was worth it! Below is an image of an A2 version I managed to fit in as well, and below is the A0(ish) on the bed... It needs trimming and tidying but I think it'll look good.

Lace/paper/text/lasers/yes

2009-08-06T13:05:00.002+01:00

These are some screen grabs of one of the other pieces for my installation. It's going to be a piece of laser cut paper lace about the size of a window. I'm not quite sure on the quote yet, but I've got to make a decision - only three weeks to go, oh my goodness! (The bottom image is an action shot - with all elements selected and the different colours of all the layers. This would've been crazy hard without using layers!)

Latching onto an idea

2009-08-05T10:30:00.003+01:00

This is the beginning of a latch pull rug with a La Chi'Ai (I can't find anything out about this person!) quote for my final installation. It'll be easier to read when it's had a bit of a hair cut. Man it's taking a ages to do! No socialising for me for a while....

Method is in the medium

2009-08-03T15:09:00.003+01:00

A quick experiment with joined up writing in wool...

And the condensed version...

Little sneak preview...

2009-07-29T15:07:00.004+01:00

This is what I've been working on so far for my final major project, it's about the 'creative need' of the household and how it isn't fulfilled in today's society, leaving it to overspill into the not so fun chores of the house, those which have no real physical outcome (cleaning etc). I've been looking at the emotional value of domestic crafts, and these pieces will form part of an installation. Only five weeks to go! Uhohhhh.

Knit-tastic

2009-07-19T18:56:00.005+01:00

During my research for my major MA project I've found some amazing and inspirational knitters. There's a lot out there at the moment, but here are some of my tip top favourites...

[From top: Debbie New (Tea Cup), Casual Profanity (Fluid Sculpture), Mandy McIntosh (Radiant Circle Face Framing Hoods and Disguises, and Sighthill Gala Queen), Unknown (maybe Judy Chicago? Probably linked to the Subversive Stitch NYC exhibition), and Jim Drain (a Forcefield installation).]

Anger Release Machine

2009-07-11T20:41:00.002+01:00

I don't know about you, but I would find one these fairly handy every now and again...

Found on www.todayandtomorrow.net

Say cheese!

2009-07-11T19:41:00.004+01:00

Here's a photo from the Penguin Design Award ceremony the other week, of all the winners and shortlisted students. Found on the Penguin blog... link to the blog entry by clicking on the title of this post.

Image-ination

2009-07-10T15:17:00.004+01:00

Just some images I wanted to share, including my failed attempt at knitting with shredded holiday brochures. No real reason for any of this, sorry x

Back to the country

2009-07-04T14:38:00.007+01:00

We had an amazing time in London, but am glad to escape the heat again! The studios we visited were so friendly, and I managed to fit in a visit to the New Blood private view, another private view down Portabello Road, the RCA graduate show, the Tate Modern and the V&A, plus catch ups with friends. Phew!

Here are some highlights...

(top to bottom: D&AD Student Awards identity by Domenic Lippa at the Partners, still from NB:Studio's teaser for their D&AD Award identity [definitely worth a watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YEhcgRV4_4], the Theatre and Performance rooms at the V&A, Thomas Matthew's The Good Design Show invitation and recent Falmouth graduate Alan Clark's Olympic poster which earnt him a placement at Browns. Go Al!)

Knit Club gets a makeover

2009-07-04T11:39:00.005+01:00

One of my favourite days of the week has to be Wednesday, specifically between the hours of 7 and 10pm, due to Knit Club at Babahogs art cafe in Falmouth. I've met some amazing friends there, am supplied with superb tea, and get to knit to my hearts content.

We're coming up to the one year anniversary of KC, and Sarah, Jo and myself felt that a mini exhibition and an identity were needed. Yesterday I made a start on a logo which is made of a pair of knitting needles and a rectangular striped block (making a K), which comes off the left hand side of the page. On the first poster and the website banner, the logo seems to have wrapped itself round the page and reappears on the right hand side, then becomes a banner (scarf) for applying type to. This simple visual can be manipulated into other forms, I'm thinking a treble clef for music nights, and a first aid cross for advice sessions.

Its not quite there yet, the colours are too dark, making the text a bit unreadable, and the typeface is a bit splayed at the ends, I want a cleaner sans serif.

The blog page is: http://www.falmouthknitclub.wordpress.com/

London's Calling

2009-06-27T15:09:00.000+01:00

The Penguin Design Award ceremony was on Wednesday up in the metropolis, it was a very nice affair. Unfortunately my A3 board had been pretty much destroyed in the post, but the 3D version looked good. But oh my the view from the balcony was worth the trip alone! 10th floor on the Strand, looking down the Thames towards the Houses of Parliament. Stunning. Back up to London tomorrow, the class are going on the road for some epic studio visits. The line up: Thomas Matthews, Browns, 300 Million, Troika, Pentagram and NB Studio.
I can't wait!

Bruno Munari

2009-06-22T16:26:00.001+01:00

This is a gooood book

Website version III

2009-06-14T14:48:00.003+01:00

As well as doing a new website for my parents' new B&B venture (www.salcombeclosehouse.com), I've been redesigning my online portfolio. It actually works (version II was a bit temperamental) and doesn't look too bad, more work will be up there soon - photography session desperately needed.

Three of your five a day

2009-06-14T14:41:00.002+01:00

A bit of knitting fun from the past week...

More Secret History

2009-06-09T14:16:00.007+01:00

The results are online for the Penguin Design Awards, lots of lovely designs, not too sure mine looks that good on the small screen all digitised, it looks better in the physical. Because of the complicated printing methods, Penguin have asked me to make up a 3D copy and an A3 flat version for the awards ceremony, damn it! I couldn't feel my fingertips after the first version. Boo. But looking forward to the evening, much fun.

(Click on the title of this entry to move magically to the Penguin Design Award website, I'm finally getting used to this blog thing.)

Secret History not so secret

2009-06-01T11:14:00.002+01:00

I found out that I was shortlisted for the Penguin Design Award! Although I didn't get into the last three I am still very pleased. Prize giving ceremony is in London later this month, so I'll be up for that then the week after we're going on a field trip to various studios in the city. One place we're all excited about is Greyworld, as Andrew Shoburn came down to visit us at the beginning of the year and definitely made an impression. What a character! He got a standing ovation and whistling from the BA kids, now that doesn't happen that often in the lecture theatre.

Kaleidoscopic Hands for all to see!

2009-06-01T11:09:00.002+01:00

So I've finally let the piece of moving image from earlier in the term into the wilderness of the www and here he is. I'm mulling over another moving image piece, but the plot isn't there yet. Lets just say it involves custard.

kaleidoscopic hands from hblikethepencil on Vimeo.

Molto Bella!

2009-04-27T13:54:00.008+01:00

After a whistlestop tour of the Milan Furniture Show, I feel energised and insipired even more than before. Highlights being work from Danish, Dutch and German exhibits, a selection of favourites shown above. Craft and process were key themes I noticed, which are areas I am looking into in my own work.

Links:
http://www.zpstudio.it/
http://www.rawcolor.nl/welcome/
http://www.pepeheykoop.nl/
http://www.llotllov.de/

That's Design!

2009-04-14T16:21:00.002+01:00

Just a quick one to direct your attention to the Falmouth page of the Milan furniture show website, we are exhibiting in That's Design! which is a showcase for students and young professionals from around the world. The scarf is finished and is flying over (cargo - no first class seats left) this week, and I'll be joining it next Tuesday. Exciting times. Penguin book jacket is being sent off tomorrow too - its all go!

http://www.thatsdesign.it/?page_id=1099

Ghost of a Teacup

2009-04-02T13:14:00.002+01:00

Fellow knit enthusiast and member of the MA Design cohort Sarah Hunt and I have been collaborating on a piece for the Milan Furniture Show. We've been having study sessions fuelled by tea for a while now as we bounce ideas around nicely and are interested in the same things, namely the relationship of craft and technology. This project started with Sarah coming to me wanting some decorative forms for a box for a set of teacups she had designed, but over the course of the weekend we decided to use acrylic inlay to make silhouettes of saucers and spoons for the teacups. Because it is all being designed on the computer using 3D Studio Max, we can import vectors from Illustrator without too many problems, and will be making the main body of the box out of ash wood using a CNC miller, and the inlays with the laser cutter. This is a test Sarah made on tuesday with some foam, pictures of the final piece to follow shortly, as soon as we can get the machines to behave! It has been a great experience, I've enjoyed working with someone from another discipline, expecially as we can understand each other and are on a similar wavelength, and the potential for more work together and the alternative mediums is very attractive.

FTSE Scarf

2009-04-02T13:00:00.003+01:00

As part of my investigation into the role and perception of craft in today's society, I have been knitting a scarf based on the daily results of the FTSE100 stock market. I wanted to make something that depicts a form of data that is normally viewed in a digital context, constantly being updated and viewed by people all around the world, in a format that is associated with very traditionalist methods of making. Simply, it is a knitted bar graph of the FTSE results of the last three months that can be worn round the neck, or displayed flat to make it more readable. This aspect, the way in which it is read and how much information can be gathered, is an area I would like to explore more into. It has been chosen to go to Milan Furniture Show as part of the UCF MA Design stand, which is great. I get to go to Italy! I'm not sure on the stand design, so don't know how it is going to be displayed, all I know is that it will be next to a collaborative piece I am doing with Sarah Hunt, a student on MA Contemporary Craft. See next post for more on this piece, it is hopefully the beginning of an exciting collaborative partnership!

The Musical Meanderings of Mr Martin Coote and more...

2009-03-15T13:52:00.005Z

Not being known for my musical prowess, I was at a loss for what to give to the ears of the YCN O2 judges when it came to my kaleidoscope video piece. Luckily a very talented friend of mine offered up his services, and I now have a FANTASTIC bit of audio to edit to, it really is the business. He also did a sterling job supporting at the launch of The Black Maria Memorial Fund and Yossarian joint EP, Counting The Moon, on Friday at the wonderful Babahogs in Falmouth. A spectacular evening was had by all attending.

Ooh links:

www.last.fm/music/martin+coote

http://www.last.fm/music/darwindee
http://www.thememorialfund.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yossarian/5868183150
http://www.babahogs.com
Not sure why some of these are live while others lie dormant, I suggest good old copy and paste.

Happy Clappy Technicoloured Kalaidascopes

2009-03-12T23:44:00.002Z

We've been doing an introduction to AfterEffects and moving image, I spent yesterday up to the elbow in poster paint and began playing around with the results today, it's looking promising! It's for the YCN O2 brief, to communicate the idea "we're better connected". I've been really interested in the part that hands have to play in learning and communicating, so thats what sprouted this idea. A weekend of editing fun is ahead I predict!

Wastelands

2009-03-02T21:50:00.004Z

We're working on some concepts for the MA Curatorial Practice students' exhibition at the Newlyn gallery just outside Penzance. The work on show is by local artists, with the theme of wastelands. This is my favourite of mine at the moment, its one of a set of 4. Not sure how it'll go down, I'm going to come up with some other applications of the contour/map idea over the next few days...

The Craftsman

2009-02-05T21:00:00.003Z

I was so excited about this book that I pre-ordered it, and it came today! Not only is the cover one of the best I've seen recently, but it looks to be very relevant to my work.

"In this provocative and enlightening book, Richard Sennet explores the idea of craftsmanship - the desire to do a job well done for its own sake - as a template for living. Pure competition, he argues, will never produce good work. Instead, the values of the craftsman, whether in a Strativari violin workshop or a modern laboratory, can enrich our lives and change the way we anchor ourselves in the world around us."

Exciting stuff.

Snow!

2009-02-04T15:22:00.003Z

OK so I guess there are loads of blogs with photos of snowmen and snowball fights, but how many people got to see snow on the beach? Well, probably quite a few (England - island), but Falmouth and the surrounding beaches were beautiful yesterday. All gone now though, boo.

Prisms of Process

2009-02-04T15:00:00.005Z

For the final project of semester one I made this installation to represent the process involved in the development of each project. I realised that the most important discovery I had made on my MA was the process of process. It is not just a linear path, there are junctions and experiences which throw up new ideas and avenues at multiple points in a project, meaning it is impossible to predict where a project may end (or not).

I thought that prisms would be an effective metaphor for this, with the prisms representing external influences that throw up more options, from which I have to pick a path. I used wool to make the light (referencing my own personal interest in knitting and craft based materials), and used the same material to construct a large spiderweb sprawling along the back wall. Using the same material is meant to represent the fact that I then use these paths to 'capture' ideas. In the installation there is also a wastepaper bin full of scrunched up tin foil, rather than paper. This shows that all research and ideas are valid, even if they're crap. You have to get them out your system, and may potentially help uncover a better idea. On the back wall behind this all there is a small piece of card with the beginnings of a manifesto for my working method, which reads:

Don't try and predict where an idea may take you
External influences lead to new perspectives
All research is valuable
Nice paper is essential
Make something
Who is it for?

For a piece that was conceived and produced in two days, I'm pleased with the outcome. It has led to potential new routes to follow in the rest of the year, which is pretty exciting. More to follow I hope...

Precious Pocket Money

2009-02-04T14:56:00.002Z

I'd been keeping my eye out for the 50p to complete the set of coins designed by Matthew Dent for the Royal Mint, and was lucky enough to get one in Tescos the other day, how it made my day! But then, alas, I had to use the twenty and ten to get a bus, back to the drawing board. More muttering over change outside shops to come, what joy.

The Secret History v1

2009-01-22T10:27:00.005Z

This is the mock-up of my book jacket for the Penguin Design Award brief for The Secret History by Donna Tartt. It isn't how I was envisioning it at the beginning of the project, but I suppose that is only a good thing, as it shows that I've adapted and analysed the brief and my own development of the project as I went along.

It is a matt white cover, with type in members of the Fruitiger family. There is then a dust jacket in red card with ivy leaves printed on in greyscale, which sprawls over the cover, hiding some of the copy. I added a layer of sticky backed plastic to indicate a high gloss finish. It is only a partial dustjacket, a job for a laser cutter (or me with a very sharp scalpel). I wanted to represent the secrets and deception in the story through layers, so all was not obvious to the viewer on first glance. I chose white because of the snow that the second victim is hidden underneath, but also the description 'the river ran white', which stuck in my head. The ivy on the dustjacket refers to both the symbol of Bacchus, but also another line from the same passage about the ivy running up the trees before their eyes. The way it sprawls over the cover is related to this also, and causes an uncomfortable feeling. The similarity to a blood spatter could also be mentioned.

I only made the choice to go down this route a few days before the final crit, so there are still tweaks to make on the typography and I also want to tackle the end papers etc inside. The paper stocks aren't quite right yet either, I want a very matt, maybe slightly textured stiff paper for the white, and a high gloss for the semi-dustjacket. Neil Buchannen would be proud of my application of sticky backed plastic...

I didn't know that

2009-01-12T14:35:00.002Z

Foxes are one of the animals connected to the Greek god Bacchus, the study of which is a key theme in The Secret History. This is a picture of how a fox pounces on it's prey - something that looks quite ridiculous really, not very predator-like.

All I want for Christmas...

2009-01-12T14:29:00.002Z

... is this book! And that is what I found under the tree on Christmas Day. One of my favourite books and a very covetable object that will take pride of place on my book shelf. Second on my list of presents was a frog shaped tape measure, I'm such a wild child.

New Year, new stuff... nearly

2009-01-12T14:10:00.003Z

Well after a refreshing break its back to the studio and the drawing board (my Grandpa's old Rotring), results of which will follow shortly. During the holiday I went down to Penzance just for the heck of it and found this treasure trove of a book shop. I took some photos to help pad out my research for the Penguin book jacket competition, there were some beautiful examples of old book jackets, especially the ones without dust jackets. Oh and happy birthday me. The big two three.

A History, A Secret History

2008-12-07T17:12:00.004Z

As our first competition brief, I have initially decided to do the Penguin book jacket competition, this year the chosen title is The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I first read this book about five years ago at my local book group in Sidmouth. It completely captured my imagination (unlike a few of the older members of the group!), and I re-read it several times. I've decided to come up with some ideas before reading it again, as the images and feelings I have of the book at present are so vivid, it would be best to explore them now.

On Friday we had an induction on the laser cutter (no Mr Bond, I expect you to die!) and were asked to bring an A5 vector image to practice with. As I was looking at the rites and rituals performed in the name of the Greek god Bacchus for The Secret History, I chose to draw images of the signs and symbols related to him. These include: a serpent, grapevines, ivy, a bull, foxskin, panthers and other big cats, pinecones and aulos (recorder type instrument). The laser cutter was amazing! So precise and fast! Definitely want to use it again. It was just an experiment, so I'm not sure what I'll do with them all, although the foxskin would make a fantastic brooch...

P.S. here is the link to the Penguin competition page for the whole brief and mini summary of the book... http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/minisites/penguindesignaward/brief.php

D&AD Student Annual 2008

2008-11-19T23:40:00.002Z

The parcel arrived at the studio the other week - the new D&AD annuals! The industry one is a beautiful object crammed with great work as per usual, and the student one was also very impressive. This was what I managed to get in there! Although this is a better image than the one I sent off. It was for the Ted Baker environmentally conscious packaging. I'm still not sure if I want to do one this year, there is the added pressure of being an MA student, and having been in it the year before, but we'll see.

The Wrong Room

2008-11-17T23:01:00.007Z

This is a first experiment for a little book, a short story by young author Daisy Hat. I really loved the descriptions and they evoked such images, I wanted to illustrate them and practice my layout skills etc. This is rough though. The copy for this spread reads:

'This one looked less agreeable. Perhaps it was the semi-orgasmic sounds leaching from it, or the purple smoke curling from the gap beneath, or the unmistakable ‘Fuck Off!’ engraved vigorously above the handle. It was difficult to say. I wiggled my face and rapped sharply upon it. There was a long pause. I knocked again. I heard a bolt being slid unhurriedly sideways.'

copyright Daisy Hat. More of Daisy can be found here - thevagabonddiaries.blogspot.com

Knit that in your pipe and purl one

2008-11-17T22:50:00.002Z

I'm not the most experienced knitter, but I do like to make more than just scarves. This is a finished slipper for my aunt, its a duck's foot if you can't tell! (And I wouldn't blame you if you couldn't!) The partner is coming along nicely. My last project was a massive banana, so this was a good way of using up all the yellow wool I had lying around!

Narnia's new location

2008-11-16T21:05:00.004Z

Here are some photos of the Canon of Reconstruction exhibition in a cupboard, I apologise for the poor photography, it's still set up (apart from the mashed potato pottery which was beginning to smell a bit odd) so I'll try and get some better shots soon. I liked the way the cupboard glowed in the darkness, asking to be opened.

Canon II

2008-11-15T12:08:00.009Z

These are some pages from A Canon of Reconstruction, just to show how I used the illustrations in the end. The layout and printing (and putting together of the exhibition!) was pretty much the work of a (manic) day, so there are tweaks to make, but I'm happy with it for the stage it is.

Set In Stone

2008-11-11T19:30:00.003Z

Today we got to work in a medium not normally tackled by graphic designers - it is a lot more permanent than paper, it was STONE! Yesterday John Neilson came down to demonstrate his craft, and then we had to design some type of our own to carve. As we only had a day, it had to be a maximum of four letters, and here's the result! It was quite an intimidating process to begin with, but I really got into it and had a fantastic time. Spending so much time concentrating on the form of such a few letters was a great opportunity, although we didn't really have much time to design them in the first place. I love working with my hands and the act of the craft, so this was a perfect 'provocateur challenge' for me. I'd love to try it again, but I'm sure it will influence my process when working with other materials as well.

Letterpress: A Celebration

2008-11-09T15:22:00.002Z

On Friday (07/11/08), Alex and I went up to Londonium to the wonderous St Brides Library, for a day of appreciation of the hand printed letter. Among those talking were: Alan May (the guy that made the Gutenburg press for Stephen Fry's BBC program), Harry McIntosh (a visionary - he's made software so that he can cast Monotype composit straight from his laptop [not a Mac as his name suggests]), Patrick Walker from Dust (nice stuff www.studio-dust.com), all topped off with words from the amazing Alan Kitching and his partner Celia Stothard. It was a great day, definitely worth the six and a half hour train journey and boiling hostel. We also went to The Serpentine Gallery, the Gerhard Richter exhibit is definitely worth a visit.

Eden Project: A New World

2008-11-09T15:07:00.004Z

So we got to the Eden Project with our suitcases, not sure what to expect. After hearing Sue Hill (Art Director of Eden Project) speak about her background in outdoor theatre and what her company's next project was, we realised we were being used! She was doing research for the play, which is about the future and what people would want to take with them. We then showed everone in the group what we had packed, then split into groups and using Blue Peter style materials were asked to make a view of what we thought the future could possibly look like. Ours is some kind of I Am Legend inspired world, where the man-made has been overtaken by nature and a few humans survive to repopulate the world. Not that this isn't an interesting point, the way we're abusing the planet, who knows what it'll look like in one hundred years time, but it is quite hard to communicate this through the medium of cardboard and electrical tape. Somehow you can see our hearts weren't in this challenge... (nice trip out though!)

Eden Project suitcase

2008-11-03T20:24:00.003Z

We're off to The Eden Project tomorrow, and we were set a preparatory brief.

"You are leaving home. You don't know if you will ever return. You are part of an exodus into an unknown future. Pack a small, portable box or suitcase. Choose 7 things that you think will be essential, or precious to you. You may choose intimate things that tell your story, that remind you of who you are. You may choose things without which your life would be unbearable. Think quickly: you do not have much time. Pack lightly, you are a nomad now. We are leaving..."

Hmmm. Interesting. Not quite sure where it going to take us (thats part of the challenge isn't it), so in my suitcase I will be taking: paper and pens/pencils, the complete works of Jane Austen, my favourite scarf which I never leave home without, a toothbrush (boring but essential), needle and thread, photos of my family and friends and some packets of flower seeds. I was just going to bring a towel and a packet of peanuts (Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy? No my housemate didn't get it either), but I'm sure I'll survive. A babelfish might be useful, but now I sound like a proper nerd. I'm not. Not a proper one anyway.

Wish me luck!

A Canon of Reconstruction

2008-11-01T17:10:00.004Z

Mental first few weeks on the MA, here we are with some work for the first project. It was a self reflection brief, I made up these 'things', surreal objects combining different parts of my life to date. I started with the illustrations, then made stories to go with them then went the whole hog and had an exhibition in a cupboard with a catalogue and poster etc. Here is Saxa Phatanga, a flower found in the foothills of the alps, and makes a sound like a soprano saxaphone when the wind goes by. So far the course has been amazing, we've met some fascinating people. I think I'm getting more into gear so will try to be more regular with this, Eden Project brief next tuesday, yey!

Two for joy

2008-10-01T17:20:00.003+01:00

I'm doing some postcards about my like/dislikes etc, I do indeed like both hand drawn type and magpies. Start my MA on monday, eep!

2008-09-21T17:25:00.003+01:00

So this is something I was doing on a placement at The Chase in London, but the final brief was different to what we were expecting. I still liked what was going on with this one though so I left it as a poster sans type. Is it a forest or is it gravity defying water dribbles? Hmm...

2008-09-21T17:21:00.002+01:00

Hi I'm Harriet.

I'm new round here.

I've just finished a BA(hons) in Graphic Design at Norwich School of Art and Design (now Norwich University College of the Arts - yuk) and am about to start a Masters in Graphic Design at Falmouth.

I intend for this to be a little place to keep the things I've done that I'm proud of and the things other people have done that I wish I'd done.

Lets start now, shall we?