C–RHAPSODY

Feeling as if I had to open the creative valves to let some of the pent up ideas out, out came a heap of relatively lame designs, albeit joyfully received, as I hadn't engaged much with many projects since leaving London. I thought I would post the results of that ventilation, a photographic story of my last days in London. I couldn't settle on a name. It started out as "Retrospect," to accompany the reflective state I was in at the time. Though "Last Days" seemed more appropriate, while following the stream of what was emerging. It started out as some diamond shapes and patterns in contemplating the word Retrospect. Then came the photographic pages with some words describing how I felt about each image and the end of my life in the UK.

LETTERHEADS, EGADS!

I'll be honest. I've not attempted a letterhead since the early days at Humber College. That letterhead happened to be 'farm' themed. Let's hope this effort is more fruitful. To further the branding project for the Bake Space, I thought it would be nice to have some custom stationary, and eventually a business card. I also turned the logo into a sticker, which would be adhered to the cake boxes to keep them closed. My mind is beginning to grow distracted by the idea of other creative projects...

So many print outs.. 

I think I'm getting somewhere...

Printed sticker, printer colours are inaccurate, hmm...

The bakery boxes await adornment

My helper for the day

RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS

A few of my favourite recent scans... how I love scanning negs! 

REFINING, REFINING

I've finally had a smidgen of time outside of work to reconsider a few projects. I've been meaning to coordinate all my self-promotional material - website, pdf portfolio and CV, and now I'm pulling it together. I've got a fire lit under my bottom, motivating me to finish this up and send it out into the (job) atmosphere, and hopefully attain something in my field.

Here's a peek at the progress.

I did an overhaul of the Worship publication packaging, taking my previous design mentor's advice to give it some sophistication.

Still contemplating inverting the colours...

On to a glimpse at the site design thus far...

Using the style format of my PDF portfolio & now CV, it's a much cleaner outcome than the current version, heavily effected by sleep deprivation.  Thoughts?

RUSHED WORK

I am currently undertaking some new brochure designs for my Aunties soap shop.
I've been having a bit of difficulty squeezing it into my hectic full time work schedule. I've spent the last few nights pulling it together late at night in the office. I am currently listening to some May 24 long weekend partiers across the street whilst I shift type, change colours, etc.

Here is what the design is looking like so far. It's a basic tri-fold on A4 paper. She's asked me to try and incorporate some photographs, so I'll post a couple of the variations I've been playing with.

Here is the initial cover, the illustrations are meant to show that her products go beyond just soap.

The layout of the inside spread

I love using texture in my work, so I tried placing a macro shot of one her products as a background.

I'm interested in the juxtaposition of colour and b&w, and thought it added a bit of sophistication to the brochure. I thought it would be nice to show a product and some of it's ingredients. I prefer a cleaner approach though.

It feels good to be back in the design saddle again, but not rushed to complete projects due to a shortage of time. It's tough being caught in the cycle of having to work to live, and not being able to have the time to spend on more fulfilling endeavours.

BOOK LUST

Being without my design library has been tough. So I've been daydreaming about purchasing new books. These are the two I am lusting after most at the moment. Gestalten, you make gold.

A quick browse through Impressive left me longing to truck it down to the city and empty my pockets for the use of an open studio. Soon after I was perusing screenprinting courses. It progressed to investigating the cost of a UV exposure machine and an old fashioned heidelberg printing machine. Ah, fruitless pursuits. A girl can dream.

The easing of inertia

I know I never posted the results of my room makeover, but to be honest, it has been in a state of flux ever since the day I began the project. It's still incomplete (largely due to a lack of funds). I've relocated my work space to my grandfather's office, where I have a rent-free room to design until my heart's content. The only problem I've been having is a lack of creative action. I think I was still a bit stunned after being supplanted from my previously vibrant environment. The drastic lag in pace and adjusting to a rather laborious part-time job has sort of asphyxated me. However, progress is slowly being made. I will share with you the few bits and pieces that have emerged during recent days.

Today I began sketching (roughly) a graphic/comic episode about my stepfather who ended up looking a bit too much like a bloated Ricky Gervais.  I definitely struggled with trying to replicate him... though I didn't have a rubber/eraser so I had to plug on, errors and all.

Random sketch

Pattern idea

I'm still trying to get back into the momentum of doing work, but realize that I can't force myself and that it will take time to become reacclimatized to life here. Hopefully when my belongings arrive after floating on the ocean for several months, it will help. At present, my top priority is paying off my school loans and getting organized for the next phase, which will hopefully encompass LOTS of artistic endeavours.  In the meantime, I'll keep my eyes on the inherent beauty this small town exemplifies.