Louvre!

Went to paris on the weekend; got to see some really great things. Grand Palais, Champs Elysees etc. What was really great though was getting to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa. I've been wanting to visit it face to face for ages now, and finally had my chance. I thought it was great! Much better than starring at it on a screen or small book.

Almost there!

I have been given an extension as I was ill with a nasty bug for a good week. Was really in need of this extension, I wouldn't have even got close to finishing all of the work. At the moment I'm working on this first task in the unit, Thank You.

I know what it is I have to do it's just managing my time to complete each section. I have gone back to Thank You and only need to finish off placing the images into flash, and edit some sound.

The second year work load is a lot more intense. We aren't only doing our Uni work, but finding live briefs outside of uni, and we have competitions and Anna's 2500 word essay (not a fan of any type of essay) after christmas! Crazy times!

Thank you - Stop frame animation!

I told my self after the first time using flash, NEVER AGAIN! But I can't seem to stay away. I've been making small buildings and painting toy cars most of the day; in preparation for the final shooting. I've had to refresh my memory on a few things in flash, spent the last couple of hours watching youtube, there are some great videos. It's all for the good but I'm really starting to get fed up looking at a computer screen all day! My eyes feel like they're going to explode.

The biggest problem that arose today was trying to resize a batch of images in photoshop. I searched everywhere for a half decent video, and eventually found one - How to batch resize photos in photoshop.

Batch images into flash

Opacity in flash

LEA finished!

Sent away final illustration with the type set in place; just had an email back asking to change the text size, some of the text and the positioning. These were the demands of the of the director at LEA.

LEA were pleased when I sent sent them back the illustrations with the final adjustments, and sent it off to Jack Magazine for print! Hard work definitely pays off.

The Illustration will be in December and Januarys addition of jack magazine. I feel it will appeal to the the specific audience reading Jack Magazine; I was briefed on the the audience, and where the magazine is sold etc.

Really happy with my time management skills as I met my deadline. I met the deadline but it was hard work!

Final final advert

Magazine link (page 33/84)

LEA

My illustration for LEA is coming along well. I'm trying to target the audience who read this magazine (who's jack) with a simple, but funky illustration. Anything plain or too corporate wouldn't fit with the style of the magazine. I've been sending PDF's of my progression on the illustration and am receiving helpful feedback on exactly what LEA are looking for.

I have been working constantly on this illustration and am looking forward to getting it complete now. I have enjoyed it but, some things just go on a bit sometimes. What I've completed so far, I'm pleased with, LEA it's self are giving me good feedback.

The illustration will be going in December 2009 issue and January 2010 issue. Really pleased with this, need to try and get my self a copy of it when it's out!

Final Illustration

London trip - Paula Scher

Was really debating going on the trip yesterday morning, feeling rough with a cold. Honestly, I feel that the trip was a waste of time for myself. We missioned it round London in the pouring rain and didn't really gain much from the V&A.

Dropped into Covent Garden and went to the London Graphic Centre, which is heaven for any designer or artist. After that we walked back through Holborn to a stamp shop where I bought a wax letter sealing kit for my Business identity project. Think I can get a good effect on the letter head and business card.

Finally got to Logan Hall for the Paula Scher lecture at around 7pm. Paula Scher explained her opinions on being yourself when in the design world. The fact that she not only thought outside the box, but pursued her creativity and broke rules.

Her map illustrations were fascinating; they were very free hand and rebellious. She spoke about missing entire states out when creating north America.

Other work that was great included one of her recent projects, Bloomberg. The giant numbers on each floor and the split LED screen streaming stock information around the building were great.

Don't get me wrong I had a good day, but I would rather have been getting on top of my work for the hand in next week! Plus the LEA live brief has to be done! Tough Times!

Live Brief (LEA)

My sister works for a private jet company (London Executive Aviation) who have been contact with me regarding some design work. They are looking to advertise their services in a music magazine (Who's Jack).

I'm buried with work at the moment but can't turn down this opportunity. Have had a few ideas already and am at the starting point. Some serious time management skills are going to have to come in order here.

Deadline: Monday 16th November

Chosen Video-Jeff Hawkins

Jeff Hawkins, a computer designer and neuroscientist

My research has started off looking at ambient campaigning, viral marketing and gorilla advertising. In the video he talks about the there being plenty of data, but no theory in neuroscience. He is aiming to expand on the existing data and eventually create a theory on how the human brain actually works; then develop software that mimics its functionality, creating true artificial intelligence.

Communicating Ideas

Had the final critique for my New to Old project on friday. Again my ideas have been changed and expanded. My final idea will be influenced by Ale and Whiskey bottles. Have carried out research in supermarkets, taking photos of existing products.

The final brief for this unit is called Communicating ideas. The aim of the brief is to respond to the idea represented in the video by communicating it visually by an appropriate means to the British public. We have be given the choice of seven videos to choose from (below).

Amy Tan-Creativity

Elizabeth Gilbert-Genius

John Gerzema-The post crisis consumer

Jeff Hawkins-How brain science will change computing

Julian Treasure-Four ways sound effects us

Stefan Sagmeister-the power of time off

Mena Trott-Tours her blog world

Alongside the design work we should clearly detail in a rationale the reasons why we have chosen the specific method of communication.

The final piece can be presented as either: paper based, smaller than A2 and accompanied by full type and print specs OR: screen based, lasting no longer than 30 seconds.