Recently came across a flier for an exhibition opening. The flier looked an entire little bit like this…
On punching in the URL on the flier, I discovered something that appealed to me on multiple levels.
The first thing that struck me was the extremely simple site design and the power of that style of layout used in the site. That style is probably strengthened by the content of the photo used in this particular website. With this also, the photo content in this site is laid out and emphasized in the design, which is something valuable that I think should be the requirement of a site (it’s all about the content), and does lack at times when people get caught up in having a yee haw fantastic design.
The thing, however, that gives me a buzz the most is the sensibility that the guys involved in this project seem to have. It’s a straight DIY ethic. In case you missed it, this exhibition is being held at The “Scum Fighter Social Club” aka Josh Pringle’s garage.
This is a great concept, and what I think keeps creativity alive. It’s working within the bounds and limitation of your situation, and utilising what you have. This often, it seems, can facilitate creativity, in the way that you think, and DO be resourceful (like MacGyver).
So I guess the nature of what’s going on behind the scenes reflects overall design and style of all the collateral, which I would think is why this feels like such a correct thing.
Definitely go and check out Josh’s poems, drawing and photos on the Scum Fighter website, and I hope to see you there on the 28th gettin’ your garage art on. Woo.
So for those who aren’t from Tassie or who pay no mind to the state of communication services in this fine state, here is a good video to give you an idea.
That as my generation has grown up (with the pain of the “Gen-Y” label), it’s strange to think that someone like Shepard Fairey has been so prolific in our everyday intake of iconic visuals.
What I find weird about it is that one day (that has possibly even happened already) Shepard Fairey will be regarded as being as important to pop art as someone like Andy Warhol.
I’m not making any comparisons, but to have something like that occur in our spot in the history of the planet is a weird concept to think about, as well as being hugely inspiring.
You more than likely know his work, but if not, go to obeygiant.com
Just cleared a whole bunch of spam from the “comments to me moderated” in Wordpress, and am thinking I should update the Akismet plugin to prevent this from continually happening.
Been busy lately doing some video shoots and editing, as well as getting some fliers and logos arranged for various people’s projects and businesses and the such.
Trying to juggle and prioritize my time and jobs, whilst keeping people involved in the multiple projects happy that I AM actually doing work on their stuff, and not just munting out on the couch watching Hitchcock films (which I need to fit in there somewhere too).
Despite some kind of contempt I seem to hold for the internet, the stuff that I am able to view that I wouldn’t usually be able to is incredible. I think that browsing the internet isn’t such a futile activity. There really is a lot of inspirational stuff hanging about in the piles of porn and trash.
I have become more fond of Facebook also. It seems to make more sense that MySpace. Sure MySpace is great for bands to get their stuff out there, but as far as social networking goes, Facebook seems to be structured better to not just be a “look at all my friends” type exercise.
I think the real challenge is not spending your day refreshing your Facebook and favourite blogs, and actually applying your time to the reason you really own that computer (no, not porn).
Ended up at a photo shoot, after work the other day, for a project I am designing for. For some reason my camera stayed in my bag, but will try and get some of the shots to post as Ange did a fantastic job behind the camera, as did the two stars of the show, George and Duncan. Knives to throats galore.
Also did another little photo shoot a few days before that for a flier I’m doing for the very first SwellTones (that’s the logo I did for them above) gig, also starring The B Circuit.
For the shoot, we set up all of the Edmonson Tiki collection along with some surfboards and a cool painting, as well as some leopard print. Add some candles and viola… some alright photos.
I got my first listen to two thirds of the SwellTones as well. Fantastic surf music, most definitely worth checking out at The Alley Cat Bar in North Hobart on the 15th of November. Flier in the next couple of days.
Finally, to finish a post that may very well hold no interest to anybody, I will include some links to stuff that will hold interest for many people no doubt.
The links I speak of are to some talented boys from my home city, Hobart.
These boys left their mark all about the place before climbing the fence for greener pastures over in LDN.
Since then, their work has gone from great to whatever is better than great, and they are getting involved in a slew of projects that, to me, would be a dream come true.
These boys fly under the collective title of Hellavate, but individually are:
And finally, another local boy, Crytearia, is about to release his album Landscrape (cover art by Task-Focused) and has also launched a blog to document the lead up and no doubt the post pressing publicity type stuff. Definitely check it out and have a listen to what you can of his music. Highly original… something lacking in a lot of music nowadays.
The Album is released on the 1st of November and is available from his website and Ruffcut Records.
Some Type of Wonderful (by LifeLounge) - For this project, LifeLounge have asked 12 artists of various disciplines are assigned a month and asked to respond typographically to a brief to do with that month. The works will eventually be shown in exhibition, but the cool (and obvious) part is that they will be made into a limited edition 2009 calendar. Hopefully I will be able to get a hold of one once they are released. Mmm.
MAXX 242 - MAXX 242 creates stunning black and white artworks with lots of skulls and beautiful lettering. He has recently had Osiris release a line of shoes designed by him in this style, resulting in some of the bast looking skate shoes I have seen in a long time.
Hydro 74 - A magnificent artist who creates striking images with influence from eastern cultures. He does some amazing black and white stuff, and again, magnificent skulls. The Hydro 74 designed Moleskine is awesome.
Munk One - Some great linework and concepts by Munk One. Munk One is another of the talented guys with a thing for the dead/undead (so it seems).
The Art of Alex Sandwell Kliszynski - There is more than likely some social commentary in the work of Alex Sanwell Kliszynski, however, the reason for me liking it is purely aesthetic. Check out his gallery and you’ll see what I mean.
Klim Type Foundry - If this site was just the front page then I probably still would have posted it here. This is such a great website layout with an eclectic range of type and logotype design. Magnificent.
Grain Edit - This a site dedicated to exposing designers who’s styles hark back to design era’s fondly missed. Heaps of great work and studio shots of designers who take cards from 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s design, but who are still extremely original in their designs, concepts and execution.
Kitsune Noir - Kitsune Noir is the site of a man a great idea. He has emarked on a project; emailing his favourite artists to each create a desktop wallpaper for free download on the site. The result is an ever growing collection of high quality backgrounds by a plethora of fantastic artists. The variety in styles is as expansive as this roster of artists that includes Dave Franzese, Gary Gao, Gama Go and Tim Biskup. (The project I speak of can be found by clicking the Wallpaper Project link in the sidebar)
south-southwest - south-southwest is the design duo of Andy Sargent and Adam Gibson. Extremely versatile designers. You can see by looking at their portfolio that their designs seem to have a very timeless feel to them, that to me is a tremendous thing. I remember seeing Andy Sargent’s street art stuff years ago. His work back then was exciting and original; a quality he seems not to have lost.
Buff Monster - If you don’t know Buff Monsters stuff, then now you will. Striking in pink. Definitely check him out.
Dark Daze - Dark Daze photography is the work of a small photography studio. The site is kept up to date by the main photographer involved and mainly documents the work from his point of view. This creates a site that is just fantastic to browse, in part due to the brilliant site design and layout done by Paul Burgess. The photography on the site ranges from graffiti to cars & bikes, tattoos to pinup style photography. The photography varies in style so much and shows a clear knowledge of required techniques and looks to achieve a stunning final product.
Radiohead House of Cards - Have a look at the two videos in this post. One is the video for ‘House of Cards’ from Radiohead’s lates album ‘In Rainbows’, and the other a short doco on how they made the video. This one is well worth the look. The shoot for the video was done entirely without cameras, but the technology replacing the cameras is something else. I think more people need to push the envelope like this. Truly original.
Lastly, here are some blogs where I probably found some of the above stuff.
I hope you’ve been keeping up with your Nawlz experience kids, because number 8 in the series is up online and a killer issue to say the least.
In my opinion,it just keeps getting better and betterer.
Check it out at www.nawlz.com, and if you havn’t been following the series thus far, definitely have a gander.
Peace
Kid
Was checking Ashley Wood’s blog and came across a link to his Graphic Designer’s site; Designed by Muller. Have a look, there’s some cool stuff in there.
Speaking of cool stuff, Moog have just released a guitar with some impressive sustain and muting features. Check out the video below, and the Wired article, to get more of a feel for what this guitar can do.
Speaking of websites; this next one is for Chrysler. I was having a conversation last night with a friend about the Chrysler 300, and we couldn’t figure out if they had done a 2008 model yet, so I had a look and hey presto.
The one displayed here is the Chryslers designs. The PT Cruiser (also has a new model it seems), I think, is in some ways a modern car with many of the traits custom culture hold in such high stead. I think this follows through into the 300 series too, with many things taken, or rather given a nod to, that exist in custom culture, and in this case, more specifically the ethos surrounding lowrider culture.
Kid
boom
