Eye Magazine Review

I have been reading through Eye Magazine which as art related magazine that provides articles based on actual Graphic Designers and their work. 

Straight away this eye-catching cover is the most noticeable, with its print looking art work. I already love this design as there is nothing too it, apart from two colours yet it is still recognisable and effective.

The next image in this magazine that caught my eye is this unusual illustration by Craig Frazier, to begin with I thought it was just a man split in half, although it is pretty much that, I realised that the two separating colours on both side of the page is actually a corner wall, so the man is split at an angle making him look like he is peering round the corner. 

A very clever illustration, which proves there is more than what meets the eye.

Once again it took me a while to realise what this design was by 'David James Associates' until I rotated it. I think it is a fun and bold image, which uses a wide range of mixed media, including material to create the birds on the branch. I am not completely sure if there was any meaning to this art work but I think it is quirky and untidy but in a good way, especially where they have left the pin underneath the branch as if it is supposed to be there. 

I am a big fan of pop art, especially this intriguing comic book strip from Secret Hearts by Tony Abruzzo for DC Comics, alongside Roy Lichtenstein; Drowning girl (smaller image). Roy Lichtenstein is a big name in the pop art world, who intensifies the graphic qualities within.

What makes you happy?

I have just finished a particular project aimed at what makes you happy, it was surprisingly a good project that allowed me to think about all the things that actually do make me happy. 

In the end I ended up creating 4 different postcards with two pieces that I had created by sewing the entire outline and painting in the odd bits of colour. 

I chose to use Portland Bill - Weymouth as my first design, a lighthouse isn't what makes me happy but its the fact when I was younger I would go there nearly all the time with family and old friends, never a dull moment was cherished there. 

The second creation was using the same sewing technique but of Punch & Judy - Weymouth, once again its the story behind it that makes me happy, spending my time with family I don't see or pay have passed away. I use to sit on the sand in front of the Punch & Judy stall, waiting for the clock to strike and for the show to begin. 

Printmaking

One of my previous projects was all print based, I particular took a shine to it and really enjoyed the whole process and learning new techniques such as collargraph and etching. I created a vast amount of prints from cupcakes to donuts and soon ended up creating a cook book and a cupcake box in relation to my cupcake theme. 

I did this by researching a numerous amount of cook books and designs, but particular liked the 'the hummingbird bakery' book. I came up with a template of my own version of the book and placed it over a previous book that had the same measurements so I was able to use it as a prop. 

The cupcake box for me was fun to make, I had managed to get enough research to make my very own, although sometimes I couldn't get the measurements right, I soon got it right and made an actual box that could hold your cupcake, using my print on the outside in a pink colour to match the cook book. 

Tattoo Designs

Over the past year I particular took an interest in the tattoo design arts, I found it different from ordinary art as they had a meaning/ purpose and the people wanting the designs would tell me what they would want with a limited idea and I would have to turn it into their ideal design. It is similar to the Graphic Design industry by speaking to the clients but it was more art based and I could go crazy and put as much or little detail into it as I wanted. 

Print Exhibition

Today I visited the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield to see the print exhibition, it was only a petite exhibit, however it showed you some of the most beautiful pieces from artists like Kid Acne to Paul Morrison.

Zoe Badger: Her work was bright and bold, the simplicity of the art work made it stand out from any other Lino print work. Throughout the majority of her work she uses a limited use of colour but overlaps pieces onto one and another to make the object look almost 3d like. 

 Kid Acne: an artist, illustrator and musician, who's work has been seen throughout the world by working with leading brands such as Prada, Kenzo, Elle, Warp Records and more. His work is unique from others as he uses comic like structures to create the outcome. I particular like 'Heat & Flash' (middle painting), it stands out the most for me as its like a comedy scene in one image, even though he has used two colours, he manages to get so much detail into the hair but sticks to block colours throughout the rest of the image.

 Nick Deakin: I love designs like this, this particular artist inspired me to create two of my favourite pieces similar to this style, the simplicity makes it stand out the most. The bold striking images show so much with such little detail, no image has been used twice yet it all blends in so well. Images like this remind me of those tile games you can get, so even if something doesn't go or fit, you can easily just move it into another slot, its a pretty clever technique.

Typographic Quotes

This is one out of two final outcomes that I produced for the Typographic quote project.

For this particular quote I had done some embroidery into the fabric so I could get an outcome that looks 3D rather than a flat image, I went along with the sewing idea as the quote reminds me of family, sewing is a semi-permanent material and it reminds me of the stereotypical nan who sews, especially quotes or pictures into pillows and quilts. 

Fashion Show

On the 25th June 2013, 14:00 till 15:00 I attended the college fashion show. For me I loved every second of it, the atmosphere was great and the designs were beautiful. I didn't approve the music that was playing throughout as sometimes there were quite bits which faded out as they were on the catwalk, this made it awkward for the models, however they carried on with the show like a true fashion show. 

The ideas that were produced were unique and out of the ordinary.

A good ending to the day!