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. 

This strange short film set to Feist's "The Water" reminds me of where I am right now.


I adore Feist's latest Metals. Can't wait to see her at Bonnaroo.

 It wasn't until my visit home in October that I discovered Hey Rosetta! from out east. Oh to be in London...   

Dan Mangan's newest album Post-War Blues has been on my rotation in recent times. I mostly chose this video because I dig his Canada Post uniform shirt. One day I hope to score one for myself.

I had completely forgotten about Matt Pond until I was going through my old hardrive on account of some past music nostalgia. The Dark Leaves will forever remind me of my reflective walks in Crouch End. It always seemed to be sunny during those moments. Heavy sigh. I was going to post a video live video where Matt's obviously injured himself (as shown by the sexy gym shorts), but the sound was too muffled. The kaleidoscope is pretty awesome. 

This song was repetitiously caught in my head. No matter how many sidewalk karaoke sessions it emerged in, it stuck with me for weeks. This music video disturbs me.

ISOLATION LEADS TO...

I've been going stir-crazy in the forest. Since moving back home, resuming my teenage life residing with my parents, I've been bored out of my mind. I've decided to fill the London buzz void with home projects. The room I've been staying in has been begging for reorganisation. In it's present state, it simply isn't liveable. The closet is jammed with old storage boxes, my grandmother's clothes, stuffed animals and old photo albums. My belongings straight up don't fit. And I still have four giant boxes arriving by boat in a few weeks time.

My new office is in their open concept living/dining area. Productivity is not feasible when my mother is shaking her bootay on the other side of my screen, trying to get my attention. 

I spent the morning researching book shelves. I was amazed at the crafty ones people have come up with. Here are my favourites. 

Then I got hooked on seeking small office ideas, which led me to find great little houses for the back garden, thinking perhaps my mum and stepfather should throw one of these together!

I've done a good series of sketches, planning out how to transform the small room in order for it to be conducive to a working environment as well as encompass all my things. They have veto'd any drilling, so I've had to reconsider how to do this neatly. We have almost a house full of furniture stored in various places, so tonight I will go on a hunt to see what pieces I can incorporate. 

I've been enjoying the idea of building my old 'rustic' shelving. I mean, I'm in the bloody forest, there must be some slabs of useless wood lying about. These seem so easy to assemble (or find) and yet shops like Anthropologie are charging $2,000 for these pieces (round one at least).

See the 'before' state of my room plus my six year old skill level sketches below. 

Plotting closet organisation. 

General plan overview (initial)

Second draft

2D rendering, super professional!

Genius idea to shift pieces around for more storage space. 

Desk arrangement version 2.

LONDON LIVING NO MORE

Well, I've left the buzzing culture behind and relocated to the country. I don't think I want to change the name of this blog however. Everything I post is the result of my experience in that phenomenal city. How I miss it's vibrancy.

So I shall post some music that I discovered during my time there.

What I'm listening to at the moment...



The new Maccabees album is fantastic. Vastly different from the last. It seems they've adapted their style to suit what's popular in music right now. More melodic and atmospheric than upbeat and foot–tapping. Love the woodsy scenery in their short film (below). If you have a fear of feet, don't watch!

 

 I was a huge fan of Kristin Gundred when she was in Grand Ole Party, so I was surprised to find how mainstream the Dum Dum Girls are. This damn song is always in my head though. Bloody catchy.

 

I have been digging the new Band of Skulls album Sweet Sour as well. Finding myself walking along singing the title track.

 

I absolutely adore Lisa Hannigan. I also happen to love this video, despite the whole thing taking place in the bath tub. She has great simple ideas for videos. The one for "What'll I do" (second down) was a filmed during a rollercoaster ride.

  That's it for now. I'll return with some Canadian discoveries!

Album Artwork + Melodious Magnificence

I adore John K. Samson's new album cover.



I believe it is the handiwork of Albertan printmaker Jeanette Johns. Check out some of her work.

Have a listen to one of brilliant John K's new songs from the album. It's beautiful. As are his stories.