DesignYak

Design for Life

BBC's Design for Life is nearing the end of it's first series. Will it return for a second one though? I've found the program entertaining, but does it shine the best light on British design? No. I think everyone on the program is shocked and awkward. The students seem shocked at Starck's high expectations, and Starck seems shocked at the students inabilities to meet them.

Starck set out with the ambition of invigorating British design, creating a new style, but from early on he has seemed resigned to failure. It's a shame, because I think this show could really work. Ben Terrett said on his blog 'designing does not lend itself to exciting TV,' but I think it could. 

For a start the people on the show have to improve. Or at least seem to want to be there. I know it's edited, but they seem to moan a lot about the tasks they've been given, and it's blocked their ability to do the job. They also moan about the time given to complete tasks, which supports what I've said previously about university projects being too long and makes students relax too much. It doesn't really simulate reality.

I'd be surprised if Starck returned for another series, but you never know. Who'd be up for a graphic design version?

Learn Graphic Design – FAST!

On my way to work this morning, reading the Metro and I noticed this ad from Shillington College, entitled Learn Graphic Design Fast. It's a course you can take, 3 months full-time or 1 year part-time, and says you come out of the course with a professional portfolio and in-depth knowledge of design programs (no prior experience necessary). 

It also claims that students are getting 'top design jobs' as a result of the course. Is this how our industry is now perceived? A profession where you can be qualified in three months? 

Would anyone employ someone who had this qualification? Or am I judging, someone could as a result have a great portfolio, who cares what qualification they have? I thought there was very few jobs kicking about at the moment, is this deluding people into thinking there are opportunities that aren't really there? 

Opinions please...

String typography

Here's some great photos of typographic experiments with string and pins. Created by Andrew Lister, who is studying at Northumbria University, Newcastle.

Is university culture dead?

I visited my girlfriend's sister's art foundation exhibition in Bristol last weekend, and it was a great show. Lots of exciting work and it got me thinking about my foundation year. I loved art foundation as did everyone on my course, art and design at school can be a bit restrictive at times, but art foundation allows you break free and have a good time whilst creating a massive amount of work. I think there is an expectation for art foundation students to attend class all day everyday, it bridges the gap between school and university. I think this creates a good working culture and as a result, a lot of good work. I never found this to be the case though for most of my time at university. Try as the tutors did to get people in to work, this never happened, and not much of a working culture ever developed. In my opinion, this impacts on the quality of work produced. I just wonder if this is a nationwide trend in art & design courses. I talk to people higher than myself in the industry and they say they worked really hard and attended university all day everyday. I think the impact of the personal computer has something to do with this, students find it convenient to come in, pick up their brief and go straight home. I think the sense of privilege and opportunity is missing in some students who attend university.

We had someone in for work experience recently, and set them a brief that we had worked on and they asked if they could go home to work on it. I craved for a working culture at university, and there was many a time I'd be at uni on my own. If any art foundation students happen to read this, eagerly waiting to go away to uni, remember you art foundation, by all means have a great time, that's what your there to do, but also remember that your time in university is an opportunity to better yourself both personally and professionally, a unique time that can really pay off. The phrase has never lost it's impact, work hard, play hard.

Graduate Rebekah Burke

Rebekah Burke has been in contact, she's graduating this summer from The Arts Institute at Bournemouth. She's got some really interesting and quite conceptual work. Visit her new website to see more or her blog! 

 

'In Three Words'

Students from The Arts Institute at Bournemouth have been in touch, letting me know that their graduate website has now been launched. The site is called 'In Three Words'. Have a look at their site, there's a big range of work to look at, or if you're in the area, why not go and visit their show? I loved visitors when I had my degree show. It runs from the 18th-26th June, with a private viewing on the 17th. Visit the website for details.

Below is a taster of the work...

Featured work: Hazel Ryalls & Maizi Qian.

Creative Review Feed

As you may have noticed, Creative Review changed their website a few weeks ago. They've also set-up an area on the site with a feed, where you can load your latest creative work, quite a good idea maybe for graduates to show their work off and get noticed, take a look here...

FFFind a job...

FormFiftyFive have not only launched a new and improved website, they're also starting to list jobs for free! Go graduates!

West of England Design Forum - Update!

The West of England Design Forum has a new website which has lots of new features such as a searchable talent database and up to the minute design sector news as well as information on jobs, tenders, training and business opportunities. Existing members have to re-register by the 29th May in order to stay on the database, click here to become a member. This is yet another exciting move for the region and raises the profile of all involved. I'm looking to become more involved in the design scene as I'll soon be moving to Bristol. This could be a really good opportunity for students and graduates to show off their work. 

Writer's block kit

Writers, designers, artist and many other creatively minded professionals often find themselves lacking inspiration. Finding new ideas or new approaches to motivate themselves can often be tricky, but Elizabeth Dilk, a New York based designer has created ‘a kit to thwart writers block’. while specifically designed with writers in mind, the kit can help many people kick start their creativity. As a graphic design student dilk was asked to 'find something I hate, change it and make it better, and then advertise it’ for a project. as she states ‘because I hate getting writers block, I researched the many ways to solve it, and created a packaged kit.’

I think the Pre-chewed pencils are a classic.

Visit her website for more images of the kit. Via Designboom