A personal hobby of mine is photography, although I haven’t had much chance to indulge in this passion for a while. Since completing my Photography A level I have become more of a tourist photographer than a professional one but that is something I hope to rectify. Being a photography allows me see things in a new light, it helps me create composition and plan the layouts of my designs, as well as allowing me to source my own images.

One of my biggest interests is Asia cinema. There’s just something about it that enthralls me. All genres. I love the epic films with their lavish colours, captivating stories and intriguing camera angles and I love the chilling atmospheres of their horrors. There’s just something about them that western cinema just can’t seem to capture and I hope it stays that way.

I’m also a big fan of technology, phones, cameras, ipods, laptops etc, but I don’t think technology should rule your life (I do live in fear of the robots one day taking over). You should always have time away from it all. Take a walk see some nature. That’s what it’s there for.

I also love music. But who doesn’t?

Graphic Design.

A vast number of designers influence me. Or should I say a vast number of designs influence me as it is usually one particular design that I come across which makes me want to find the creator behind it. This seems to happen to me a lot, at the bus stop, on the way to the shops, leafing through a magazine, if I spot a design I like I can’t stop thinking about it till I get on the internet and “google” it to find the person behind it and see more of their work. The following posts detail some of the designers and illustrators that i find inspirational. I hope you do to.

After completing my critical paper, which explored the idea of ethical and sustainable practices in graphic design, I decided to practice what I preach and attempt to create an environmentally friendly project. My aim was to refrain from using any new paper, but to work using scrap paper and disregarded prints. I decided that the best way for me to do this would be in the print room as it allowed me to easily work on top of already used paper and also gave me the option of using ready mixed paints, so in essence all components of the final prints would be created sustainably. Now don’t get me wrong, i know not all aspects of the print room are sustainable, a lot of electricity is used to create and dry the stencils, but i was not aiming to create a completely sustainable project. The only way for me to do this would be to not submit any work!

Now that I had chosen the method I was to use to create my final images I needed to decide on the content and presentation. I toyed with the idea of using facts and figures about sustainability and the environment, such as recycling facts,  but soon decided against this idea as I thought that using recycled media for the prints was reference enough to sustainability and that anything more would be overkill. I also wanted my final images to be appealing and not seem too preachy. Recycling facts have been used too many times already, I wanted my designs to be more original. After conducting some research I decided that I wanted to use natural imagery and text in the designs. I have researched quotes on topics such as nature, trees and animals and selected nine different quotes to use when creating my images. I liked the idea of using quotes as it gives the viewer something to contemplate. They aren’t straight forward. I also created illustrations to accompany a selection of the quotes.

After completing my series of posters I decided that I wanted experiment with the images in another way. I took a few photographs of different sections of my prints so that I could create something digitally. I decided to create a series of business cards but I had to work out a way to produce them sustainably. I printed four of my stronger images on to a sheet of used acetate paper, I then cut postcards to the same size as the images and stuck the pieces together, to finish the business cards I simply wrote my information on the back of them. I think that the postcards are quite effective as the image on the postcard can be seen through the acetate. I like the idea of making postcards this way as everyone I hand out will be unique.

Through creating this project I have learned that although it is important to be as sustainable as possible I don’t think you can let it compromise the quality of work that is produced. Designers should help clients pick the sustainable options were possible but they must also do what they are being paid to do. Create good designs.

Mobile: email for this.
Email:onedaylefttoloveyou@hotmail.co.uk
Web: www.sexsymbolsonparade.wordpress.com
www.canibegreen.wordpress.com

I came across Ed Emberley whilst looking for my favourite illustrators.

His website is amazing!

As it’s a site for kids there’s a lot of quirky little design pieces, such as how to make thumbprint drawing, or cut and paste flowers.

It might be for kids but it kept me distracted for a while!

Ekopedia like wikipedia but Ecological.

Just because it’s funny

The UK’s carbon footprint is over 500* million tonnes of CO2 per year. Individuals account for 45% of this. Now, using iGoogle, you can measure your carbon footprint and find out practical ways to make it smaller. On a personalised page, you can track your progress, update your carbon-reducing actions and see a Google Map featuring the footprints and actions of everyone taking part.

As I have decided to look at the theme of surviving the 21st century from the perspective of saving the environment I feel that it would be a good idea if I were to find out how I was damaging the environment and to work on ways to lessen my negative impact.

My current carbon footprint is 0.59 tonnes. Using iGoogle I can now work on ways to lesson my impact.

Whats yours carbon foot print?

And what you gonna go about it?

Alan Fletcher

Vince Frost

Milton Glaser

Stefan Sagmeister

Alexey Brodovitch

Why Not Associates?

Andrio Abero