Interesting article on the theory of slowness, how it might contribute to far greater design and healthier happier people. Sounds obvious doesn't it?

http://www.good.is/post/hurry-up-and-wait

Type-press!

Street type workshop from Brazil

Nice quote

“Back in the early days when I started to discover music, go to shows and find out about new bands, there were ‘filters’ from various circumstances – geography, economic status, etc - which deeply affected how a band sounded and what they stood for. Now, everyone is going through the same filter—namely computers and the internet—and everyone has the same circumstances: Everybody’s seeing the same thing for the first time at the very same time, simultaneously all over the world. That very system is negatively affecting art and has created a situation where everything is influencing itself and art is not based on struggle, personal scarcity or unique and personal inspiration. This cultural revolutions is a big part of what determines our mission. We’re not listening to any of the bands around us for some kind of input as to what we should sound like. At this point, we’re using our own accomplishments as a measurement of what we need to do next.”

Ben Weinman of Dillinger Escape Plan

LandLand

After seeing Dan Black's work in Mike Perry's book - Hand Job - I wanted more. This led me to their website and beautifully hand drawn posters and design work. They mainly work in poster design, record sleeves and art prints. Dan set up the studio in 2007 with Jessica Seamans & Matt Zaun, it's based in Minneapolis. Fantastic levels of detail and design go into each work, plus they use anything they can get their hands on to gt work done.
But it's the skilled use of screenprinting that really gets my cogs going. Couple this with a fine use of colour and line and you get an incredible package.

http://info.landland.net/

Alan Kitching & Celia Stothard

Alan Kitching and Celia Stothard made a bid for a huge collection of wooden type and original type-setting machines. This was owned by G & M Organ family. A family of theatrical poster designers. The actual physical act of setting these types and hand printing really adds a massive amount of depth and meaning which we've lost throughout these decades. Add to this the actual act of transporting this treasure to their home studio.

Stefan Sagmeister

My second week in Nonconform

Well after a busy weekend it was time to get back to the serious work, starting with Christmas cards for CEL Group.

I based these ideas around simple motifs that incorporated the work of each CEL subdivision. With about ten groups to design for we decided to just design for three at a time as the client needed to choose the designs. The first idea was to play on the snowflake idea, hopefully creating a beautiful pattern in the process.

The second idea was taking the motif designs and printing individual wrapping paper. Then photographing "real" presents.

Midweek we worked on ideas for Halton Housing Trust, a Runcorn based social housing landlord. They needed an overhaul, design wise. So we came up with ideas for the front ramps at the Grange House branch. Basically make it look a bit better than plain white. Also having a go at the logo, just a simple tweak really. Making the figures look a bit more human; and alive.

Then having a go at the front of the Grange House branch.

Later on wednesday and thursday we all had to come up with ideas for a PFH advert. This was supposed to show how the company brings people together and in a spirit of collaboration. I worked on a few ideas for this.