China's 60th anniversary celebrations

This is stunning. Not just from the sheer military might but because it’s shot on a DSLR. In High definition. Technical gizmos aside though, the editing and use of stop motion and slow-mo really work. And really liking the pixelated camouflage bedecking the PRC army vehicles.

Very powerful – but is this photography or film making? (not that it matters). The creator is Dan Chung a photojournalist at The Guardian, who has moved away from static imagery into moving image. A photographer’s eye with an editor’s sense of timing.

Watch the video on vimeo.

Good reading

This is really, really good.
Ad-man Dave Trott waxes lyrical about all manner of topics.
Insightful, observational and engaging.
Worth a read.

(And written in a tight, concise manner befitting of the author's occupation - plenty of good stuff to muse over).

word power

JK Rowling delivers graduate commencement address at Harvard.

I have asked myself what I wish I had known at my own graduation, and what important lessons I have learned in the 21 years that has expired between that day and this I have come up with two answers. On this wonderful day when we are gathered together to celebrate your academic success, I have decided to talk to you about the benefits of failure. And as you stand on the threshold of what is sometimes called ‘real life’, I want to extol the crucial importance of imagination.

Interesting speech, i like the following points:

(On failure) You might never fail on the scale I did, but some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.

Ultimately, we all have to decide for ourselves what constitutes failure, but the world is quite eager to give you a set of criteria if you let it.

(On imagination) One of the many things I learned at the end of that Classics corridor down which I ventured at the age of 18, in search of something I could not then define, was this, written by the Greek author Plutarch: What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.

That is an astonishing statement and yet proven a thousand times every day of our lives. It expresses, in part, our inescapable connection with the outside world, the fact that we touch other people’s lives simply by existing.

In my year Sunscreen was a popular song, (appropriatley subtitled class of '99) which all sounds a bit sentimental now but guess there is still a lot of truth in those words. Words like these:

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idel Tuesday.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Reminds me of a really good last summer in Newcastle. Feeling of being on the cusp of a wave, very energised and excited by the next footfall in life. Sad to be saying goodbye to a way of living that would never repeated, to bid farewell to friends one would see all too randomly. Suddenly realising we were adults. More accountable, more vulnerable and yet also more independent and more intelligent. I miss Rothbury Terrace, I miss the time available to think about things. Don't miss the car crash in the kitchen though.

It will be ten years since those heady times this time next year. So much has changed, so little is different.

Experimental jetset

Final D&AD lecture of the season centred upon Dutch designers Experimental Jetset. The trio gave an entertaining 'typically Dutch' presentation of their work. I liked how the structured events by picking a theme (french clients) and then talking through three in depth case studies. Whilst it was still a show-and-tell at least they stamped their own mark on the night.

What came through was how they operate under a strong sense of disciplined logical thinking, resulting in clear and appropriate solutions. i'd imagine they walk in to presentations with a limited number of routes and effectively say 'this idea is the solution to your problem'. Not in an arrogant fashion, more with an air of quiet, dignified confidence.

Somehow they've acquired a Helvetica-phile label but none of the work they showed
used this typeface, each project logically choosing it's own individual language. I'm a big believer in systems, ie create a strong idea at the start of a project that works in a structured fashion to homogenise a range of items/products. So very interesting to see how each piece of work they created had a core structure unifying the graphic work.

A very good evening - except for the journey home. My beloved steed of nine year was absent from the railings outside. No more riding through the moonlit streets with the wind in my hair. I hope he's gone to a good home, I certainly feel i got sterling service from my machine. But like so many things it was time for a new bicycle so in the spirit of good follows bad I'm consoling myself with the idea that the time was right to go our separate ways. Frustrating nevertheless, for if nothing else one would like to say when and how a farewell takes place, and not leave it to the thieving tendencies of some hoody-scally-chaaver.

Impressive TV advert

That's entertainment – The first UK live television ad played out last night on Channel 4. It was a three-minute advert for Honda, featuring a team of sky jumpers spelling out the brand’s name to promote the ‘difficult is worth doing’ philosophy.

I am the music maker

What a great idea this is - make your own online version of a mixtape. Sweet!

I grew up making my own compilation tapes by recording favourite songs off the radio, late night under the bed clothes activity resulted in A-ha, Fleetwood mac and Genesis rubbing shoulders with Guns n' Roses, Pearl Jam and Nirvana. The local library's cassette section was also plundered mercilessly, choice musical morsels being devoured on sight.

With the arrival of the digital age came MP3s and i-tunes. A once laborious process now entered light speed and I entered a new era of compilation creation. Bespoke CDs soon flooded the market, which in turn led to one-off Album cover artwork. Girlfriends seemed to appreciate them which was nice but in truth the geeky archivist inside of me was the foremost person whose passion was being sated.

And so now we have muxtape. Interesting to see how they have linked each uploaded track to a 'buy' button (via amazon). It's a great little setup, very simple and very user friendly. Only accepts MP3s so my latterly ripped more obscure MP4s wil have to remain in limited circulation - which might not be a bad thing.

Here is my initial offering, more an exercise in beginning the process than a considered collection of music. I have assembled this from my playlists that one might best describe as 'Angry and up for it' indie disco music.

Presentation approaches

Intelligent analysis of what makes a good/bad presentation.

Like so many things in life it could all perhaps be boiled down to chemistry, and by this I mean the rapport the presenter has with their audience. Sounds simple but very difficult to do time and time again. Preparation is obviously key as is confidence but i'd suggest enthusiasm and engagement also play their part.

Long time reader of bad language because if nothing else the writer gives a non-designer PoV. Refreshing to hear a viewpoint from someone who doesn't use a Mac and isn't working out of a trendy studio in the cooler parts of London.

I first started reading this blog when I was working from home and the range of tips of how self-employed, domestically based individuals could function better was illuminating. 

The Arsenal

Ian Wright illustration at Arsenal Museum © Miles Donovan

I wanted to write about the many and varied websites/blogs that cover all things Arsenal. I wanted to write about how match opinions are shared, transfer rumors spread and football banter exchanged. And so, following another eventful night of football I'm going to attempt to showcase a selection of sites that show the folklore, the history, the pride that Gooners have in their team.

Redaction - Interesting arrival on the scene, I like it's militant stance. Useful away game PDFs to download.

Arseblog - Highly entertaining, engaging, the number 1 Arsenal blog. And quite often the number 1 sports blog at the bloggies. Lots of banter, not afraid to cuse the C-word where appropriate, eg Ashley Cole, John Terry. Often for great comedy effect. Seems to have a thing about Gingers but hey-ho no one is perfect. Many a smile created on the religously updated daily Arseblog and a weekly chortle thanks to the imaginatively titled 'Arsecast'

Goodplaya - intelligent, balanced analysis from a seemingly intelligent, balanced gooner.

Arsenal-land - slick site, not as insightful as it used to be. Good forum, this was my introduction to the online Arsenal world.

We are the herd - Passion, commitment, community. Found this whilst reading up on the legendary Dainton Connell, king of the North Bank. Forum dealing with Arsenal's Firm, tales of battles of yesteryear.

All examples of a spirit best summed up in the final paragraphs of this post by Arseblogger: "Let’s stand behind our team. We are the Arsenal."

20 X 20 = pecha kucha

Went to a sweet event at the Japanese Embassy last night. Sake, sushi and plenty of Asahi kept a large audience well lubricated whilst they were entertained by the latest Pecha Kucha evening, a quickfire series of presentations from Japanese influenced guest speakers – including typographer Jonathon Barnbrook, Archeologoist Simon Kaner and product designer Emiko Oki.

Each presenter was allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each – giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This kept presentations concise and the interest level up.

Refreshing to watch ten speakers with completely different backgrounds and interests speak about their work, influences and relationship with Japan, and surprisingly the disciplined structure of the night actually seemed to loosen things up and keep the pace ticking along.

Naturally some speakers were more assured in their delivery but even the less confident, less eloquent were able to deliver an informative snapshot of their thinking. Interestingly businesses have explored how this approach might keep meetings short and relevant.

Some more nights are planned for the summer, and D&AD are borrowing the format for one of their lectures. Well worth keeping an eye out for them.

Sad and moving

This photo and this writing by Duane Michals is pretty awesome (it's the combination of the two together that make the piece, the sum is the greater than the whole). I love the bitter-sweetness of it.



The caption reads: This photograph is my proof. There was that afternoon, when things were still good between us, and she embraced me, and we were so happy. It did happen, she did love me. Look see for yourself!

Fascinating how viewing photographs from yesteryear brings memories flooding back, and the emotions felt at that point in time are suddenly as vivid as they once were. Facebook has brought to light photos of me in my student days – ten years ago, but like only yesterday. My travel photos bring sensations flooding back and awaken experiences from teh back of my mind.

My father and mother separated last year and it's been a painful process for everyone, but as Duane rightly points out the good times will always be there and whether or not there is a photo to document it the important thing is that the good time happened in the first place.

Seeen originally on shanelavalette.com

Where are you Miss Muse?

Found this on Ffffound.com

Probably part of a commercial exercise by I do like the heartfelt nature of the writing. Reminds me of this piece of street poetry in Glenelg, Adelaide.

Happy Christmas! - a retrospective

I generally don't get too carried away by the christmas spirit but the one thing I have always put a lot of effort in to is making my christmas cards. I don't like the cheesey, consumerist aspect to christmas but I do really enjoy getting in touch with people I care about.

It's also a great opportunity to do something for me – no brand messages to reflect, no identity guidelines to follow. Just something visual and something fun. This year I decided to examine a long running fascination with trees and created a woody scene for Rudolph to frolick in from a series of Chinese clip art images. The texture within the shapes came from the lo-grade nature of the original artwork which became further distressed once scanned and photoshopped.

I liked the end result but in hindsight I think one less layer of trees would have meant Rudolph might stand out a bit more and produced a calmer winter scene. Nevermind, something to think about for next year.

Here are previous year's efforts, interesting to see how my own changing interests have dictated the style and approach of each card. My stencil art period followed the ideasy period which in turn developed into the screenprint approach.

Lovely engaging idea

Makes me smile and good to see people are compelled to add their own memos to the post-its. Get involved. I like it. More photos here

Via smiss miss blog

Update: this is a project by illegalart.org

Making the message count

This is what it's all about. A well placed, thoughtful gesture beats the one-size-fits-all approach every time.

There are some gems on the rest of Marian's site, I think she writes well with humour and intelligence. Stunningingly intricate imagery.

The description she gives of herself is warm, honest and inspiring - a refreshing read. Reminds me of the Howies and Threadless ethos which for me breaks down as this: Work hard at what you enjoy and concentrate on the things that make you happy, everything else will fall into place behind you as long as you've got the courage to 'hold firm'.