Marian Bantjes

I came across the work of Marian Bantjes when I saw the work she had produced for Saks Fifth avenue in which Bantjes was hired by Michael Bierut from design agency Pentagram. The campaign features around a signature piece called 'want it'. I really like the loose free handrawn designs and other words which were linked into the campaign and think they work well once applied to in store visuals such as windows and posters.

Music Packaging

Music inspires and influences me so when I came across this nice packaging design for a latest record sleeve I was made aware by how much the environment which I live in plays a huge part in design.

Found on Creative Review blog is the latest music packaging for the new UNKLE album. Art directed by James Lavelle, Ben Drury and Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones. The package includes a booklet of songs lyrics and sleeve notes as well as imagery produced on heavy card. All the elements are created on silver stock and show nice imagery and typography in a unique lavish way.

Tyler Thompson

I was recommended to look at the hypefortype blog after producing my own typeface design for my major project. Whilst browsing through the blog I found an interesting design piece by Tyler Thompson who got pretty bored of the designs of boarding passes, or lack of design within them. Some of his designs are 'ideal world' designs whilst some work with the existing limitations of boarding passes. Although the designs haven't influenced my final projects I still thought they were nice design ideas well executed.

Ruth Ansel

Whilst browsing through the latest issue of Creative Review magazine I came across an article on designer Ruth Ansel who has been an art director of three of the most influential magazines of all time. Working on Harpers Bazaar in the 1960's, the New York Times magazine in the 70's and Vanity Fair in the 80's. Ruth believes that graphic design at it's best' informs and entertains the eye whilst defining the moment' and one of her own primary goals is to create a new visual language that breaks with tradition of using photography and type. I was interested in finding out more about her as a designer and was also intrigued by the article published in creative review as it is the first in a series on woman designers. It made me think about whether there are enough female designers and if female designers are appreciated enough in the design world.

Whilst researching into the background of Ansel I came across an interview in which she speaks about how the workplace has changed for women over the years. I found this quite insightful as it delved into my own earlier thoughts of female designers.

(Interview with Bonnie Siegler found at http://www.stepinsidedesign.com/STEPMagazine/Article/28556/index.html)

S: How do you think the workplace has changed for women over the years?

RA: It hasn’t very much. It is more about appearances than reality. More women are in the workplace but they’re not getting comparable recognition or salaries with their male peers. Women are still working in a man’s world. It is especially difficult for an independent outsider type of woman, whether she is a graphic designer, an architect, or an interior designer, to really achieve a top position, even if she is an exceptional talent. Think of Eileen Gray, and how she spent most of her life having her work ignored, while her famous collaborator, Le Corbusier was celebrated worldwide. She did not become famous until shortly before she died in 1976. I admit I had never heard of her until then as well. There are certainly more talented women out there, more than men I believe, but I still think the glass ceiling exists and they get discouraged

BS: At times I feel if I was a man in the same position doing the same work, I would be paid more money, and be more famous.

RA: I started out as a graphic designer in the 1960s at Harper’s Bazaar magazine. At that time there were very few women to look up to who had preceded me in the field of magazine design. Of course, there were exceptions like Cipe Pineles and Miki Denhof. But things don’t seem to have progressed much since then. What I mean is here we are in 2005 and I don’t think you can name an equal amount of really talented and deserving women with an equal amount of men who are recognized graphic designers, heads of their own firms, or successful CEOs in advertising. If so I’d love to know who those women are.

I enjoyed this interview and felt it gave me a good insight into how what female designers think of the industry.

Carnovsky's RGB wallpaper

Itallian studio Carnovsky created a series of wallpapers that react to different coloured lights for the milan design week. The designs created for a noted itallian wallpaper brand feature overlapping illustrations and different elements of these designs are revealed depending upon whether a red, green or blue light is shone against them. I really like the striking illustrations themselves yet think the lighting element adds another striking characteristic. 

 

 

Image when red light is shone on wallpaper and different elements are revealed when a green light is shone against it.

To Dry For

Whilst browsing through a recent copy of the Daily Telegraph I came across an online company called 'To Dry For' which is an online boutique specialising in designer tea towels. Husband and wife team based in London they produce work for designers and also have a range of artist commisioned tea towels which promote the work of prominent up and coming designers and illustrators. I really like the witty thinking behind these designs as well as how visually appealing they look. I particularly like the ones designed for the penguin books.

You can see more here

True North

Today I made a visit to design agency True North to meet with designer Ady Bibby. I was looking forward to sitting down and chatting to Ady on a one to one basis about the design industry, his own reflections and experiences and also looking forward to receiving some valuable feedback about the work I had been producing for my major project.

As I arrived I was shown into a boardroom and offered a nice cup of tea whilst I waited for Ady to tie up a few loose ends. It was really nice and somewhat overwhelming to see all the awards that True North as an agency had won hung up on the walls, some of this work I had already seen in D&AD annuals such as the work for the Manchester deaf centre.

Initially myself and Ady spoke about the industry from everything to placements, to which agency I would like to work in and London. We also covered most of the questions which I had previously sent to Ady via email:

 Do you think it is harder to get a job in the industry now compared to 5 years ago?

Ady felt that it is harder now to get a job as there are so many graduates, however compared to last year where the recession hit people quite hard things are now starting to get easier.

 What would set a student aside from everyone else? What skills would you look for?

We spoke about students and I mentioned that from many guest lectures who had visited college many felt that being enthusiastic and dedicated would be what would set many students aside. Ady agreed with this but felt it was equally important for a student to have a very good portfolio also.

 Have you ever worked in London or considered moving to London? Would you suggest students move from their hometown to look for work?

We spoke about London and I spoke about our recent trip to London meeting with agencies. Ady expressed that moving to London never appealed to himself and he's quite happy commuting to London to meet with agencies but his home is Manchester. We spoke about London and how there are vast amounts of design agencies but Manchester is becoming just as popular. Once again this made me question where I would like to work in the future.

We spoke about placements and Ady was quite shocked that In my three years of studying design I had still not completed one single placement, however this wasn't a bad reflection on myself. Ady felt that the placement system is the most important way to get a job and it was what managed to get himself a job in the industry. 

After this insightful and extremely helpful discussion I spoke to Ady about my major project, my ideas and where I was up to so far. Ady gave me some honest constructive feedback which linked in ideas I had previously been working on with new ideas. He told me to think a little more about how to group everything together and maybe change my strap line but all in all he felt it was a good route to choose. Before meeting with Ady I felt at a somewhat loose end with my project and was confused with which direction to carry on in but Ady reassured me by saying that I already had my idea there and if I was to send my ideas to an advertising agency they would be able to understand it and tweak it to produce the outcome I want.

Before leaving Ady also asked what I wanted to do after graduation and who I want to work for, at the moment I still feel unsure. My heart lies with typography and editorial design yet more recently my work seems to be based around advertising design and agency wise I would love to work for the chase as I love their work ethics and the work they produce. However, after meeting with Ady today True North would definitely be in my top 5 design agencies in Manchester I would like to work for. I felt completely relaxed and everyone was friendly and welcoming. 

When emailing Ady prior to my meeting with him Ady joked by saying ' I'll provide the tea and coffee you bring the biscuits' so as a lasting impression I took some hobnobs and happy faces with me for the team to enjoy! 

I am very greatful to Ady for taking the time out to see me and I hope to stay in contact.