I shop therefore I am?

Adbusters (the satyrical counter-advertising mag) has created an event called Buy Nothing Day, which was in November last year in North America. But I think its an idea which should b carried forward, I mean, can you remember the last time you went a whole day without buying anything? (obviously excluding the days your hangover didn't permit you to get out of bed, i think the previous night's excess definitely discounts those days) It shouldn't be something that needs to be organized, nor should it be something difficult. I'm going to try it...

Downsizing

Today, I'm downsizing my life. Everything I own has been put into one of five categories, four of which involve getting rid of that item. This has left me feeling decidedly freer, and ready to fill the physical space with other mental things... I hope! so here are my newest discoveries: 

 http://dorkmag.com/, a really cool NY online magazine which looks at a massive range of stuff from illustration to music to film. The people that write it are also lovely. Check it out!

http://deliciousdesignleague.com/ mmm...tasty!

Noumeda Carbone

these are simply too beautiful for words, so I won't bother.

http://www.inknou.it/gallery/

Design in Bangkok

These obscenely cool (i think) letterhead were designed by BBVO in Bangkok for the Thai Health Association. who knew great design was happening in Bangkok? I think i have a new resolution to learn thai...

Save the Polaroid!

For some reason (probably cost and the switch to digital photography) Polaroid have stopped producing film :( but there are so many fun things you can do with them and are so much more interactive than digital photos. I mean, when was the last time you actually printed your digital photos? Or even looked at them properly! This is what we should be doing instead:

Ambient polaroid campaign, 'replacing mirrors'

Sheep on LED

I'll do a better post later, but this was so funny I couldn't resist putting it up now! best viral ad I've seen so far!

Typographic art

this stuff from the online portfolio of Pomme Chan at www.pommepomme.com is the way i think typography should be approached, as art rather than words. Its beautiful.

Sketch happy

Here are two examples of some sketches I did whilst traveling in Cuba this summer. In spite of two hurricanes and being robbed it was still a great trip and I think these sketches evoke the general atmosphere - laid back, bright and stuck somewhere in the gap between tradition and modernisation.

The beginnings of a very long trip

I found a whole bunch of notes and emails from when I went travelling and so thought it might be a good idea to put them here for safe keeping. Happy viewing!

Vicky and i have been travelling through thailand for the past three weeks, although we were only really really travelling for 2 because weve been spending the past week on the beaches in koh tao and partying here in koh pha ngan. unfortunately im now running out of money..... so we're leaving to head back towards bangkok via a smaller town called petchaburi. i spose i should really telll u some of the highlights....

1. going to patpong (or ping-pong) in bangkok. I can't imagine how I could be more mentally scarred

2. the beautiful ruins in sukhothai which vicky cycled me around on a bike with 2 seats cos i was too little to cycle with her on the back 

3. getting dumped on the side of the road by the bus in ayyuthaya and managing to get a free lift into town from some random mechanics who didnt speak a word of english

4. seeing the elephants in ayyuthaya all painted for valentines day and feeding them bananas

5. snorkelling on koh tao

6. vicky getting a little too pissed off sangsom whiskey and getting carried down the beach home as she tried to walk (in the air) the opposite way back

7. has been censored

8. the half moon party in the jungle surrounded by palm trees and nutters on acid dancing to house. With blue lights and multi coloured string and luminous paint everywhere!

Turner Duckworth Talk

Today we had a talk from an ex-Norwich student (whose name I missed) now working at Turner Duckworth. Talks like this always end up dividing me between being completely inspired to push myself and ideas as far as possible and making me feel completely inadequate. I guess even the negative feelings should have a positive effect, so long as I can use my fear to push myself rather than recoiling from it! Nonetheless, the work was amazing and its always interesting to get an insight into the way these companies work.

portfolio

I recently sent my portfolio to Canada to apply for a different design course. I wanted it to be unique and something memorable and so instead of sending a black, ringbound folder with work popping out left, right and centre, I designed my own portfolio packaging. Like this I thought  I might score extra creativity points with the admissions people. I think it came out well (with a little help from my dad) and I was proud of it when I sent it, which I hope is a good sign. Unfortunately the pictures don't do it justice, but here they are anyway.

Robert Sabuda

I think this guy might just be a genius. What I wouldn't give to be him... 

Robert Lang

some beautiful Origami art by Robert Lang

lets start at the very beginning

i should've started this blog a long time ago, but better late than never! I'm currently a graphic communication student in my second year at NUCA in Norwich, England. Hope you enjoy the rest of the blog!