Graphic Bubble

Five Days of Design, 19-23 March in Bristol

2012-02-29T12:21:00.001Z

I just wanted to post a little mention about the Five Days of Design event being organized by the West of England Design Forum, definitely think it will be worth checking out!

Here's the news release from their website: “Five Days of Design is a five-day programme of events taking place from 19-23 March in Bristol bringing local businesses and design agencies together to boost economic growth.

Five Days of Design strengthens connections between business, technology and design, driving economic growth by helping companies to use design to become more innovative and successful. Five Days of Design aims to help businesses understand design and the strategic business benefits, and help designers promote themselves and design effectively.”

For more information on all of the Five Days for Design events click here.

Design of Friends' Newsletter for the University of Bristol Botanic Garden

2012-02-28T11:31:00.001Z

I've just completed a redesign of the Friends' Newsletter for the University of Bristol Botanic Garden Spring 2012 issue. This is an A5 quarterly publication which is 32 pages in size. The page structure and design allows for greater flexibility throughout the various sections of the publication. I provided a consistent and clean design using two fonts and a set colour palette of greys, greens, and creams. Below are some double page spreads from the Spring issue.

Design of Learning Module looking at Positive Mental Health Issues

2012-02-20T10:38:00.006Z

I recently designed an A5, 16 page learning module looking at positive mental health issues. The publication was being sold to a target market consisting of Irish secondary school students from the ages of 12 to 18 and would sit in the middle of a student diary. The learning module had to be designed with specific regard to the subject matter of the module, the target market and the rest of the pre-established product. Below are some of the designs that I produced for my client alongside their very kind feedback.

"David produced a very crisp, clean and consistent layout design within 24 hours of being awarded the project which is an outstanding turnaround time. David also came back to us before starting the job to clarify things we had not included in our brief which demonstrates his understanding of the client and the product. I am happy to recommend him as a contractor. "

New Years Restoration Exhibition

2012-01-03T17:26:00.003Z

Happy New Year everyone!! I hope that 2012 brings you all a great deal of happiness and success.

I just wanted to mention that one of my clients, Siobhan McGinnis of Figo Furniture (www.figofurniture.co.uk) is featuring at this traditional upholstery exhibition. The open evening is this Friday 6th January at The Showroom on Park Street, Bristol and runs from 6.30-9.30pm. I would definitely recommend taking a look at her work, the exhibition is on until the 11th January from 10am-6pm daily.

Lynn Hunt, Holistic Therapy logo and leaflets

2011-11-28T12:02:00.001Z

I have recently finished a logo and leaflet design for Lynn Hunt, an Holistic Therapist based in Bishopsworth, Bristol. I produced a logo design with the words 'Avani Aditi' meaning 'Earth Freedom' with a globe encompassed by two hands and the use of very earthy colours and a script based font. The leaflet is DL shaped and split into sections with testimonials scattered throughout. The design and use of colours is based around energy healing with the centre spread focusing on the seven Chakras. I've used very soft blending and colouring throughout to reflect the calming therapeutic nature of the work.

If you are interested in Lynn's services please visit her website: http://web.me.com/lynnhunt

Ink Dot 2011

2011-11-23T09:05:00.003Z

Sorry, I know I keep banging on about this year's Ink Dot exhibition at the Colston Hall but it's my first exhibition!! Here's the promotional flyer for the event, you are all welcome to join me at the private view on Thursday 1st December, 6-9pm. More info at www.ink-dot.co.uk

Ink-dot: Resolution - 1st December 2011 until 5th January 2012

2011-11-07T17:24:00.002Z

I'm delighted to announce that my entry into the Ink-Dot 'Resolution' exhibition has been selected for the final show. The exhibition will be held in Colston Hall's Glass Room gallery space and will run from Thursday 1st December 2011 until Wednesday 5th January 2012 (The gallery is open whenever Colston Hall is open - from 10am to 11pm+).

If you're unfamiliar with Ink-Dot this is how it works. Contestants are all given a one-word title (This year it's Resolution), 8 colours and an oval shape. The brief is intended to level out the playing field and challenge the designers and illustrators to think outside the box. Entries can be portrait or landscape, use tints / gradients and will be exhibited on A2 paper.

There will be a limited run of prints available to purchase through an order box in the gallery or from the online shop on the Ink-Dot website (www.ink-dot.co.uk/store), 50x A3 - £30 , 30x A2 - £45  and 10x A1 - £80. Each print comes with an edition card giving the title, artists name and edition number. Ink-dot’s website promotes all of the designers who have participated in one of their shows and a database of all the posters that they have ever exhibited.

I have been asked not to reveal my design until the show opens, so you'll have to be patient!!

The Glass Room, Colston Hall
1 December 2011 to 1 January 2012
www.ink-dot.co.uk

Positive feedback on Manna: so beautifully designed!

2011-11-02T10:59:00.003Z

This is somewhat self endulgent but yesterday I received the following email and I can't resist posting it as it's really nice to receive positive feedback about my work (To view the Harvest 2011 issue of Manna click here)

Dear David,

I receive copies of Manna from our local church. When I was looking through it the other day, I was struck by how well designed and laid out it is. I thought, 'There's a canny designer behind all this'. So I looked to see who that designer was, and I just thought I'd write to say how impressed I am, by how nice it looks, and what a pleasure it is to browse, because of the design.

Without going into tedious detail, I find that the use of colours for each section is really helpful. I love the uncluttered layout, and using the narrow column in articles for photo captions and quotations. And the use of headings to break up long articles.

I think lots of magazines could take a leaf out of your book.

Not sure what else to say, but just thought you might appreciate some positive feedback!

Yours,

Jeremy Butterfield
OnTarget Writing

"Good writing is good for business"
www.jeremybutterfield.com

Cheltenham Design Festival 2012

2011-10-17T20:10:00.000+01:00

The Cheltenham Design Festival is looking more and more intriguing by the day. This looks like it's going to be a fantastic event with a great line-up of speakers. Confirmed so far are New York-based graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister, industrial designer Kenneth Grange, iconic graphic designer David Hillman and acclaimed landscape architect Brita von Schoenaich. The line-up will demonstrate how design and creative thinking improves lives and guarantees our future.

The event takes place between the 20 - 22 April 2012 and is being organised by Sir John Hegarty, the worldwide creative director of Bartle Bogle Hegarty. To find out more about the Cheltenham Design Festival visit cheltenhamdesignfestival.com (Tickets are on sale at the end of January).

Gathering Voices Festival of Song & Congratulations to Bristol Zoo!!

2011-09-30T11:18:00.007+01:00

I just wanted to give a quick mention to the Gathering Voices Festival of Song. I have recently completed the design or their poster for the event that is taking place between 7th-16th October this year. If you get the chance to see any of the performances or participate in the workshops I would definitely recommend it. The event is in to it's second year and is a real showcase for Bristol musical talent, so definitely not to be missed. For more information regarding the Festival visit the website www.festivalofsong.org.uk.

Also a massive congratulations to Bristol Zoo who last night raised a massive £427,000 for charity with the auction of their amazing 60 Gorilla statues (Featured in an earlier blog). Gorisambard, a tribute to inventor Isambard Kingdom Brunel went for a staggering £23,000!! Proceeds from the auction are being shared by the zoo's conservation programme for gorillas and the Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal.

Tinker Tailor

2011-09-27T09:09:00.003+01:00

Went to see Tinker Tailor last weekend, was very impressive!! Even if you know who the spy is it really wouldn't spoil what is a very clever film. There are some really impressive performances throughout the film but I have to admit I'm becoming a very big fan of Tom Hardy, I thought he was excellent.

I have to admit this post is a bit of an excuse to put up some posters that I really like that were recently featured in Creative Review. Below are the limited edition prints by Sir Paul Smith in honour of the film. Very simple designs but so effective, they also come across as being very stylish like the film itself.

Logo design for Razor Fitness

2011-09-12T11:21:00.004+01:00

I have just completed a new logo design for Razor Fitness. This is a new business start-up by ex England under 21, Premiership, and now Championship rugby player Andy Reay. It will be a home, gym and pitch based fitness service that offers clients a personalised and enjoyable way to exercise.

The name derived from Andy's nickname on the rugby field. His intention is to attract clients wanting to push themselves and achieve fitness levels that far exceed their expectations. With this in mind I have stayed away from using very obvious health and lifestyle related pastel colours instead opting for more clinical usage of orange, greys and blacks. With the font I wanted something that was quite masculine in appearance but also had a degree of sophistication. I also wanted a strong contrast between the two words, one representing the training and hard work the other the athletic finished product. The typeface used here is Neo Sans.

I am currently in the process of designing Andy's website to promote his business and this will be launching very soon so watch this space (www.razor-fitness.co.uk).

M Shed, Griggz and Gorillas

2011-09-04T12:07:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I visited the much talked about M Shed for the first time, saw an illustration exhibition by Griggz and did a bit of Gorilla spotting around central Bristol.

I know the M Shed has had a lot of critics and the cost and delays are pretty hideous but I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I found each section easy to digest, really interesting and I learnt a lot about the history of our great city. Whether I would have the same level of interest if I wasn't from Bristol I don't know, but the way the museum is layed out makes it really easy to take in a lot of information in quite short space of time. From a design point of view, I'm really impressed. I love the logo, especially now that I can see it up close and read what it says (I initially thought this was just a lot of random words!!). I really like the interior design of the museum, with all of the angled shapes and staircases. Also the diagram for the slavetrade section is really nicely designed with really clever use of typography. There are also some great views of the harbourside from the top floor balcony that are definitely worth a look.

My only real complaint is that I've been told that the logo was designed by a Manchester based company. Bristol is such a great creative city with lots of top design agencies that it seems such a shame the council didn't pick a local design team to do this. That said, I do like the identity so I guess I can't complain too much.

After a couple of hours at the M Shed we made our way across to Cafe on the Square to see a friend of ours, Griggz illustration exhibition. Griggz has drawn a series of illustrations of popular culture and has 11 pieces on display. I would definitely recommend having a look if you're in the area. More about Griggz here with examples of work www.griggzart.blogspot.com

I know a lot has been said about the Gorillas around Bristol and how nice they are so I won't say too much other than I think they are great and here's a load of pics (I believe they're only up until the 7th September so you haven't got long to see all 60 of them!!!)

Welcome to my blog

2011-09-02T09:54:00.001+01:00

This is my first blog; it's quite a daunting prospect starting this when there is a very large blank white space. Very much like when I start a design job!!!

This blog is intended to be quite a relaxed affair and a chance to not only showcase my current work but to discuss the design process and general industry, where my own personal inspiration comes from and various other bits and pieces that I think are of interest.

So be gentle as it's my first time and here goes!!!!

p.s. - A full portfolio of my work is available to view at www.graphicbubble.co.uk, so feel free to explore.