Orange Banner for gig tickets

Created in a similar style to the most recent orange ad's on TV ( see example bellow), I really liked this funky banner, which allows you to choose what style of music you are into which then leads you on to a stage of objects based on your chosen music type. (See above for Hip hop and pop), which then leads you to the website. I like this banner for the multiple roots you can navigate through. It seems fun, friendly, and easy to understand. There is no real complex message but is rather based on appropriate aesthetics (it appears like a collage of 3d paper with plasticine texture). It lets you choose what you want and what suits your needs, making 'orange' appear a helpful company, a little like the different types of orange phone packages that are available. They use the appropriate line 'life as you like it!'

Apologies for the poor 'screen shots'

'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath

Plot

'Esther, an A-student from Boston who has won a guest editorship on a national magazine, finds a bewildering new world at her feet. Her New York life is crowded with possibilities, so that the choice of future is overwhelming, but she can no longer retreat into the safety of her past. Deciding she wants to be a writer above all else, Esther is also struggling with the perennial problems of morality, behaviour and identity. In this compelling autobiographical novel, a milestone in contemporary literature, Sylvia Plath chronicles her teenage years - her disappointments, anger, depression and eventual breakdown and treatment - with stunning wit and devastating honesty.' --Penguin Books

'Sylvia Plath's attention has the quality of ruthlessness...imagery and rhetoric is disciplined by an un-winking intelligence.' Observer

Main topics include, confusion and insanity, maternal relationships and sexuality. As well as morality and society issues, insanity and suicide is frowned upon and culture, within literature and film.

I always thought Sylvia Plath as a poet, I never really liked her poetry, from what I read they were all a bit too solemnly for me, this maybe due to her depressive nature. However this book despite its quite negative look on life throughout most, I couldn't put it down. It maybe not due to the story line, but the immense amount of what I call good and ruthless metaphoric description.

I didn't relate to the main character that much towards the end due to the darkness pushing on to her personality, although I did find her addiction to caviar and vodka very amusing at the beginning. However the book really does give you an incite to the process and progression of depression. I loved how Plath describes other characters. My favourite character had to be Doreen her college room mate, she seemed fun and didn't care too much for college grades, it almost seemed to be that Esther the main character envied her, due to how she described her. I realised that within the realm of description, i.e. copy for graphic design and the advertising world, you need to make something or in this case someone sound desirable, happy and sassy for the consumer to want it buy or be like it, just like the character Doreen.

Within the first 0-100 pages not much happens in terms of her depression, but instead little mini stories- one after the other. I didn't despise these, I loved them. I wanted more. I could have read a whole book of her little mini stories some made you think 'oh yeh that’s happened to me before.' I would call these little human nature gems, for example when Esther gets the ruff short lad and her friend Doreen gets the manly cool guy when getting chatted up in the bar – how typical..

I am convinced this book justifies the quality of her writing, I.e. to write about anything and make it interesting - that is talent, and that’s why Plath is runner for the top writers of all time. I have a new found appreciation for her metaphores. I also like the way within the book words on the end of sentences where made italic to add emphasis to point for example 'I SAW you' (caps=italics)

The ending left you on a guessing note, i.e. would Esther leave the asylum or not? The book is said not to be based on Plath, but rather Plath has taken many parts of her own life. Therefore was the ending still unknown to Plath when it was written. Alternatively was it a sad ending, the fictional character maybe ended her life, so couldn't continue writing and describing in a voluptuous way. I would defiantly recommend this book, a good read.

Please read the following extract on website to see how the fictional character Esther and Plath so easily relate - http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/belljar/about.html

New hollyoaks titles

I think these titles have got a lot of stick, and to be honest when I first saw them I think my expression was 'what are they.' However I love them now. I feel they fit brilliantly with the style of the show, retro, perhaps a bit cheesy and for the younger audience. I think the music is quite funky too. They remind me of the Olympics logo. That sort of fun fresh feel. What do you think?

Memento - Trailer

Starring

Leonard- Guy Pearce
Teddy- Joe Plantoliano
Natalie - Carrie Ann Moss

General plot

Made for $5 million 'Memento is a neo-noir–psychological thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan, adapted from his brother Jonathan's short story "Memento Mori." It stars Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, a former insurance fraud investigator searching for the man he believes raped and killed his wife during a burglary. Leonard suffers from a form of anterograde amnesia, which he contracted from severe head trauma during his wife's attack. This renders his brain unable to store new memories. To cope with his condition, he maintains a system of notes, photographs, and tattoos on his own body.' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_(film)



I was recommended this film, due to the unusual use of the sequencing of event. Basically the film is played backwards. I.e. they show the ending scene first then rewind and show the penultimate scene next and so fourth. The very idea of using this method seems confusing, however I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to follow. The film was built to be played this way, if it was played the 'right' way which you can opt to do, the twist at the beginning would obviously shown first and effectively ruin the plot. I feel this type of sequencing was so effective that the story was built for the idea rather than the idea built for the story. In a way you are put in place of the character, as he also doesn't know what happened previously. You are invited to piece together and investigate Leonard’s case. I will not ruin the ending, but I feel the twist at the end really added to the film. Altogether a really different, and fresh film. However if you look closely enough there are signs throughout the film revealing the twist.

Its worth having a look at the website which I like- very themed. If you go to the flash site... I like the clever use of titling it as 'otnemem,' although might seem confusing before you see it, I believe it would have been lovely to title the film that on the front cover of the DVD.

I think I may look out for more Christopher Nolan films.

Tank Books

Within Design Week, volume 22, number 29, there was an article on the newly formed Tank Books, by Fiona Sibley. Books have been formed in to well known cigarette packing, and humorously copy lined as 'Tank Books, Tales to take your breath away.' and 'reading saves lives.'

'The idea was hatched by Masoud Golsorkhi,' 'who has long tried to entice people who generally don't read with seduction of the written word.' There is a suggestion that smoking is like reading, they both 'drift you to different territories' 'He always thought that books could be a dangerous as cigarettes.'

There is also a suggestion, of the celebration and appreciation of the design of cigarette packaging after the smoking ban, the way 'they are engineered, with the silver lining and cellophane wrapper.'

This metaphor is a bit odd yet certainly different. They create something iconic rather than practical. However I do seem to appreciate cigarette packaging a lot more.

‘Who do you think you are? Michael f—king Angelo?’ Charles Saatchi

‘The Persuaders’ an article featured in ‘Seven’ a supplement of The Sunday Telegraph was my reading of interest this week. Written by Sam Delaney, expresses the business side of advertising in a short tale of the Saatchi brothers ‘bid for world domination.’

It expresses the limitations of working as a graphic designer, i.e. what is achievable, what can you get away with and how, their way of working and how to be persuasive.

So how do you become persuasive? You need to give the public something they want! Make them think they need it, what ever you sell needs to appear desirable or better than what they had before. And you need to be ruthless! Charles Saatchi was ruthless ‘who do you think you are? Michael f—king Angelo?’ Saatchi used the phrase when a ‘notoriously precious art director complained that his layouts had been tampered with behind his back.’

I admire the ‘ruthlessly simplistic’ approach to Charles Saatchi’s advertising work. Saying it how it is! When advertising for the Conservative party when Margaret Thatcher was in town, he completely criticised the opposition to show their weaknesses. I think some times we can be all too concerned with elaborating too much, being too arty, when sometimes the line needs to be raw punchy and simplistic. I think it’s a brave thing to do so, yet if used correctly can be very successful.

However being abrupt can cause problems of offence rather than persuasiveness. I would quite like to explore in today’s society, how perception can lead to offence, and how far it can be pushed. Is telling the truth or being to raw too much for our politically correct society? I think being raw, using shock tactics, overwhelmingly exagerating truths, needs to be used appropriately.

It makes you question how bigger impact does advertising and media have on our perceptions. ‘People living in every region of the planet had in one way or another have their perceptions, aspirations and behaviour impacted by those super sonic, neon lit, 30 second films that punctured their favourite television shows,’ supposedly.

It amused me to read, there was a time when ‘Creative people were being judged on the basis of how long they took for lunch. If you were gone for more than four hours, you must have been the most creative person in the agency. It was like Andy Warhol said, “Art is what you can get away with”.’ It suggests a simple, rash and easy way of working; I may try it myself one day!

Mail On Sunday

I love this ad, It's not afraid to be too stereotypical, which makes it funny. It suggests that Sunday is the day of rest and the best way to rest is to read The Mail on Sunday. It is both for women and men. It takes the form of a battle scene that reminds me of a scene from The Lord of the Rings.

It just shows how elaborate and exaggerated an advert can be to sell a simple everyday product, which has already been out for a long time. Good use of digital design to elaborate the battle.

Film - 28 Days Later

Science Fiction Movie
Directed by Danny Boyle
Produced by Andrew Macdonald
Written by Alex Garland
Staring, Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris




A film, I felt was basically based on zombies, yet took another elaborate form. An infection, spreading the world. Nevertheless the film did not bore me and I feel it was directed well (some places better than others.) Although the film was a taking a lightly serious subject it had light-hearted moments too. In comparison to the film ‘Children of men,’ of which I have recently seen, ‘28 Days Later’ was far less brutal and less realistic. Children of Men reminded me more of the concentration camp brutality in the 2nd world war, perhaps that’s why it felt more real. You could question whether this took away from the genre from the film, however I felt it made it easier to watch. A film you could pick up any time of day.

A scene I particularly noted was near the beginning when the main character Jim wakes up from his hospital bed to find an empty world, (while the world had been overwhelmed with infection he had been left in a comma from a accident he had previous had before the infection had taken over). The scene shot in London is amazing – and a clever choice of place. Never have I, nor anyone seen London people-less. I wonder how they managed to shoot such a scene? The scene is shown in total silence for a rather long period of time, I felt this really set the scene for the whole movie. The silence device really makes you empathise with Jim, for being alone and not knowing what had happened.

The film even managed to explore the growth of relation ships, and survival instincts of different characters. Another scene I liked was when the four main characters are left to there own devises in a supermarket, some how the ability to pick up what ever you like never mind the cost created quite a light hearted scene, I liked it. They also capture one of the characters leaving his credit card by the cash desk, which in someone ways suggested there was no chance for survival and civilization.

I saw two endings to the film, which I felt was rather unusual. The second after the credits, which I felt was better and more realistic than the first. Jim dies and there in uncertainty of what the two remaining characters that are left are going to do. The first ending seemed a little too unrealistic.

http://www.28dayslaterthemovie.co.uk/ here’s a link explaining the film in a bit more detail.

Have you seen it? What did you think?

A website on architecture

http://www.mirallestagliabue.com/ - I feel here is some good examples of architecture by Miralle/tagliabue - EMBT.

The architecture is different, it appears spontaneous, and strives to make the most out of public spaces, whereby there are huge shapes that people can walk around as well as open spaces to explore. I felt a good example of this is the Gas Natural's New Headquarters in Barcelona Spain, which is not yet finished being built. The mirrored windows create more space- and make the building appear even bigger and than it already is . There are many other designs that range in colour shape and size that are well worth a look. The website allows you see the designers thought process, and beyond all else understand the principles and lengthy process of architecture.

Websites- Become a Jackson Pollock

http://www.jacksonpollock.org/

Here’s a website that will make you become Jackson Pollock in 2 minutes. Surprisingly amusing for at least 2 minutes - what colour of paint will be splashed next?. Although using the mouse as a tool to attract a user is common I feel this is slightly more novelty as it lets you become the artist - rather than objects just following the mouse for example. It seems appropriate to be on the Jackson Pollock website.

A musuem of guitars -London Guitar Town

When in London last week I noticed these '10 foot fibre glass free standing guitars' all decorated by leading UK artists.

They have been created by 'Gibson Guitar town London, ' a unique charity inspired campaign bringing together the power of music with art to raise money for three chosen charities; The Princes Trust, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and Teenage Cancer Trust.' Each guitar is signed by a different artist associated with the design. Artists included 'Paul Weller, Slash, Ronnie Wood, Rod Stewart, Noel Gallagher, Mark Knopfler, Roxy Music, New Order, Bruce Dickinson, Brian May, Gary Moore, Gorillaz, Dirty Pretty Things, The Lost Prophets, James Dean Bradfield, Ocean Colour Scene, Graham Coxon, The Kooks, The Magic Numbers, Ozzy Osbourne, Paul Rodgers, Suggs, KT Tunstall, Razorlight, Hard-Fi, Corinne Bailey Rae, Depeche Mode, James Morrision, Motorhead, Sir Cliff Richard and James Blunt.'

Although I have seen similar things done before, I feel this campaign has been great and does get noticed, it goes beyond any poster or leaflet. It also shows great enthusiasm for the cause.

Please find above a selection of the guitars. My favourite being the guitar featuring the baby, I feel the shape of the baby fits nicely within the shape of the guitar. There is also a very distinctive illustrative style. Created by Tommy Penton and titled Mum played by Joni Mitchell while Pregnant. The guitar is signed by Keane.

Here is a link - www.londonguitartown.com.

'Blood and Circus' Jenny McCartney

Jenny McCartney expresses her views upon the 'Fear and Brutality' in horror films today, and how possibly the genre could be now named 'torture porn.'

Some of her points I feel are rather valid yet some maybe rather extreme. Nevertheless it has made me question why as a nation we enjoy films such as 'Saw' and 'Hostel' of which contain horrific torture scenes. A common suggestion is we need more to shock us? Maybe what is tame; is what we have seen before. This can relate to many other arts, not just film. For example in the world of Fine Art what will the Chapman brothers or Tracey Emin next create? perhaps to offend a part of society, or to gain as much publicity as possible. I am not suggesting that this may be the definitive intention of the artists or film makers, perhaps they intend to reveal a secret or selective part of society, or something we are all very much aware of, however do not like to discuss, (and perhaps bringing such to attention is a good thing.) Within the world of design I only need to mention the well known campaigns for the united colours of Benetton, which raised a few questions on its controversial aspects.

When will it stop? Will we one day reach a peak where mass media can present anything and our nation will not be surprised? Is that possible, perhaps not.

I would like make a big 'HOWEVER' and a point nicely made by Jenny McCartney. There are films out there that do a much better job of expressing compassion for a victim rather than showing the actual gruesome scene it self. An example given by McCartney is 'lilya 4-eva' 2002 directed by Lukas Moodysson, (admittedly of which I have not seen myself) 'is about an eastern European girl forced in to sex slavery: her plight is denoted simply by a quick fire series of shots of adult men arriving outside her hotel room door.' I can only imagine by what is described the scene appears a lot more serious than the trashy films we are seeing a lot of today. However as film is also about entertainment rather than simply communicating, perhaps trashy and easy watching is what we want? Considering torture is not only something you see in films but actually still happens across the world, the question is should it be handled with more care?