Myself, Ashleigh Armitage and Daniel Jackson had the idea of making some collaborative Christmas cards to sell, I went with these traditional Christmas songs with a focus on typography.

We were hoping to screen print them, unfortunately the paper hasn’t arrived, so its unlikely we’ll get them finished and distributed in time for Christmas. Nice idea though.

Love this, simple illustration using screen printing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allisonnewhouse/

Picked this up from the post office Friday, bought it on ebay couldn't have been happier with it. Its in near enough perfect condition only problem is the battery catch is slightly cracked and doesn't close, but this doesn't effect the performance of the camera it can easily be taped shut. It also meant I was able to get it a bit cheaper. Can't wait to take loads of photographs over summer!

Today I finished my book by binding it and I have to say I'm quite pleased with the final result, I kept the book simple giving my self a chance to experiment with type setting. The theme of the book is Route 66, using the photographs taken when I went on the trip in 2007 a sort of photographers journal. I've learnt a lot on this project mainly through making simple mistakes but I feel some of the mistakes have been beneficial in a way, I'm definitely looking forward to making more complex books over the summer.

I recently came across Ed Ruscha His use of photography, painting and type together has really grabbed my attention he also uses simplicity through out his designs again it can be really effective when executed well.If I had the money I'd definitely buy some of his work I think its brilliant.

Whilst in the print workshops today waiting for my screen to expose I started reading a book that was left on a table and came across this guy. His work is incredibly simple but technical at the same time, I love the use of white space and understand that getting the spacing between each letter precise can be incredibly time consuming but when its done correctly it can make such a difference.

Mark Andrew Webber

Just came across this guy really inspired by his prints, thinking something using lino and type could be a possibility for a piece of design. Definitely want to get in the workshops over summer and get experimenting with different techniques and equipment and have a little fun.

http://www.markandrewwebber.com/

Racer

Bought this bike a few months back on ebay for an absolute bargain price of £120 which I was very pleased with. All I really know about it is its Austrian built and quite a classic, definitely a good investment for getting around Sheffield.

Rhett Dashwood

Thought this was really interesting, really appreciate the time that must have been spent finding these letterforms in the landscape of Victoria, Australia.

http://rhettdashwood.com.au

Picture Book

A simple picture book, collection of the best photographs from the trip to help me remember where the photographs were taken etc. Looking back on it I should have written a diary could have helped with the final book. Printed on the lazer jet, on 80 gsm yellow paper with a polysheet for a protective cover.

Jacob Balslev

I've just found this on 'Behance' whilst researching its an experimental Play-doh typeface and book. It's something that appeals to me, reference to the 'Preparation for level 6'. I think it would be beneficial to become more experimental with type as it could make personal development more exciting and expand skills, making my portfolio more desirable to possible employers/Internships.

Tim George

Recent graduate from Bath Spa University, A book of photographs from the Nepstadion stadium, Budapest in Hungary.A carefully considered and simple book combining image and type with restricted use of colours. Really great work on his website.

http://www.timgeorgedesign.co.uk

Ludovic Balland

This week I've been researching for my self directed brief, I came across this guy Ludovic Ballands work, I found it quite interesting that he doesn't seam to conform to rules of design and says 'make it complicated and kill the grid'. Usually I'd probably disagree but I think these spreads work really well and are particularly nice to look at. I like the mix between type and image.

http://www.ludovic-balland.ch

Mikey Burton

Really liking this guys work this evening enjoy the aspects of print involved in it, love the textures created from printing and letter press.

http://www.mikeyburton.com

New Projects

We have recently been given two new briefs firstly the 'Self Directed' brief, In which I need to prepare and write my own brief. My initial Idea was to do something with existing worn out typography in and around the city of Sheffield but I think thats been done a lot and isnt too original in its concept.

My second idea was related to the subject of 'Route 66' which I did in 2007 I had been thinking of doing something like it for a while because I have hundreds of photographs from the trip that I've done nothing with, this is the perfect opportunity to make something with them I'm thinking a book with interesting graphics from the signage and maps along the way, a sort of diary with graphic elements. It should be really interesting to involve something personal to a graphics project.

The second brief is preparation for level 6 this is also another proposal for what we would like to do next year. As of yet I haven't had any ideas I need to begin research to trigger some ideas.

Guardian Spreads

These are my final spreads for The Guardian Newspaper, The Issues I included were firstly an overview of the subject and then Information about the fishing industry and finally resolutions to the problem. With this project I didn't really push myself as hard as I should have, I should have embraced it rather than put it off until the end. I definitely will work harder towards developing my work in future projects.

Inspiration

Right, so I've been a little slack with my blog recently just thought I'd post this website with screen prints that I really enjoy looking at. I really love the simplicity of it all and how he's created posters for the bands I enjoy listening to. This is the kind of stuff I would love to produce in the future, think I'll have to improve my skills on illustrator first.

Just click poster shop to see the posters.

http://www.thesmallstakes.com