#GoHomo

As a creative grad, I naturally filled out countless copy tests/applications that featured pretty oddball questions. One of which asked to create a campaign to convince a straight person to be gay.

Challenge accepted.

I created #GoHomo, a campaign that focuses on the advantages of same-sex relationships over mixed, spun toward promoting respect - and a degree of desirability - for gay and lesbian people on behalf of the charity Stonewall. Taking inspiration from the popular slang term "no homo" (meaning "not in a gay way"), #GoHomo is a positive declaration of what people would "go gay for".

By cheekily uniting genders in a battle of the sexes, the campaign calls for people to Tweet their responses of what they would #GoHomo for - whether it be the drawbacks of the opposite sex or the benefits of same sex. The approach unifies gay and straight men as well as lesbian and straight women (typically the pairings which can clash) rather than further alienating sexualities by highlighting differences.

the fear.

Just less than a month to go before everything has to be finished, handed in, degree show set up and uni is over. Expletive. Whilst I would definitely say the pressure has been on these past few weeks, I don't think "THE FEAR" will kick in until I walk into the first year hall, the venue of our degree show and the last hurdle. Or maybe it'll be tomorrow with a meeting that'll run through the protocol of the coming weeks.

Anyway, enough of that. One of my recent projects was a Levi's campaign. It kind of split itself into two directions; one a typographic experiment using the lasercutter and denim, the other a more commercial translation. This is one of the results:

Originally intended to be a clean, bright design etched into denim, it developed into a grungy, worn piece of typography which I actually think fits the context better. It looks 'lived out', achieved by distressing the  lasercut surface of the text.

YCN heinz salad cream brief.

For this (YCN) brief, the challenge was to advertise Heinz Salad Cream to young adults (whilst still appealing to those older and younger), a demographic who may have loved it in childhood but have since distanced themselves in favour of mayonnaise, BBQ sauce and tomato ketchup.

My response was to highlight the versatility of Salad Cream, whilst increasing awareness of the product itself. The outcome is a series of print ads, visualising Heinz Salad Cream as a constant within an equation whilst the foods shown are interchangeable. Whether used as a healthier substitute for mayonnaise, a dipping sauce, sandwich spread or dressing: Heinz Salad Cream is the condiment that can compliment it. The tagline is a spin on Mary Poppin's iconic "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down", which intends to be a light hearted play on the Salad Cream as the "sugar" that can make anything taste better - even, perhaps, the "medicine" of vegetables.

The imagery is slick, fresh, contemporary and vibrant, yet also presents a natural, rustic and homely visual that retains focus on the food itself. It not only connotes summer picnics, barbecues and time spent in the kitchen, but also appeals to those who are more conscious of - and value - a healthier and more natural option.

interim show + current/future projects.

This week saw Stage 4 Communication Design exhibit our Interim Show, an opportunity for the external examiner to get a glimpse of our work and to speak with us ahead of our final submission and degree show in June (!).

Didn't get much of an opportunity to properly look at everyone's display (it was only up for a few days) but there was some great stuff. I felt it was pulled out of the bag, and Vis/Com shone in particular. Well, naturally.

I chose to display a selection of concept development from my self-initiated brief to create a print media campaign that promotes and strengthens the relationship Orange has with film (through 'Orange Wednesdays' which offers 2-for-1 cinema tickets, 'Film To Go' that provides a free film rental on iTunes every Thursday, and sponsoring the BAFTA's). My solution was an all-encompassing and to-the-point idea: "See Film Through Us". The copy led to exploring various methods of visualising the concept, ranging from literal to more abstract, including experimentation of opacity both digitally and through tactile material.

At the moment the project is evolving into a different and - I think - more effective direction, but is somewhat being put on the back burner for now as D&AD and YCN deadlines loom closer (March!). I've undertaken two briefs from the former; to illustrate a Little White Lies cover for the film Black Swan, and create a 21st century whisky brand for Design Bridge that defies tradition and appeals to the typically elusive international female market. As for YCN, the briefs I've begun working on include; creating a campaign to encourage the young to like Heinz Salad Cream again, another campaign to promote The Independent's 'i' supplement to students, re-design the Graze packaging, and if I have time I'd like to work on a campaign for Feel Good Drinks too.

I have ideas in place for all of the above, it's now simply a case of implementing them. Shall certainly be a challenge, but I like to push myself and I want to get used to more intense, quick turnarounds that'll be standard in industry. March to June isn't going to be any more relaxed either, with the further projects planned (including Levi's and Pretty Polly) in addition to finishing off anything else if required.

Oh, there's also the Creative Star Student Awards which I need to get on with.

All systems go.

2011 reflection+ 2012 resolution.

So, it's 2012 now. That was quick. 2011 has certainly flown by and it's mental to think we're half way through our final degree year already. Not long now.

I'd say that a lot of progress was made in 2011, primarily in the form of industry experience; from the branding work at Hamlin Daniels, to experiencing a large scale advertising agency at BMB, to contributing to next years Edinburgh Fringe Festival campaign at Whitespace. All invaluable, enjoyable and confirmed without a doubt that I'm pursuing the right path. I learnt a lot and met some great people along the way.

University wise, the slightly more naive and relaxed days of 3rd year are but a distant memory. 4th year is overcast with the exciting yet ominous reality of graduating and entering the real world. This semester has been somewhat stop and go with placement interruption, dissertation distraction and an initial project false start, but I have two solid projects approaching completion and a few more on the go, industry experience under my belt and a well received essay draft to show for it. Not as productive as I'd have hoped, but on track.

2012, for me, is full of goals. Thought it might be helpful to write them down.

1. Achieve at least a B on my dissertation. I'd die of shock with an A.

2. As always, aim for a first-class honours. No point in not.

3. Enter as many D&AD and YCN briefs as I can. I think there's about 10 that I have my eye on.

4. Time permitting, I'd like to enter the Penguin Design Awards too.

5. Get a collaborative project on the go.

6. Put on a degree show that I can be proud of.

7. Get more familiar with InDesign.

8. Sort out at least two more work placements. Realistically, I don't think I can afford to lose any more time during semester, so they'll need to take place during summer. I have my eyes set on a few agencies.

9. New Blood. Make the most of it.

10. Be better.

dexter + beyond.

Over the last week or so I finally got around to watching Dexter. Two seasons down, and yes it's amazing. It reminded me of these posters I was shown earlier this year, created by Ty Mattson. I love them. Slick, original and striking.

Taking it to the next level, the posters were animated into a title sequence for the show with equally great results. I love the minimal, Saul Bass-esque 40s/50s motion graphic approach. The style seen elsewhere in Kuntzel and Deygas's work with Catch Me If You Can, and Pixar's The Incredibles and Monsters Inc, to name but a few.

Wish I had more time this year to explore the ideas inspired by it all. Alas. Will need to wait.

diamond wedding anniversary invitation.

Diamond wedding anniversary invitation design for my Grandparents.

I wanted to create something that contrasted with the overtly feminine, flowery visuals that typically frequent such events. I think the result successfully achieves both an appropriate and personal approach, whilst remaining a slick piece of graphic design that stands out.

Congratulations to the happy couple and happy clients.

minimal movie posters.

Perhaps a cliche, but by no means less enjoyable ongoing self-directed summer project to visualise some of my favourite films in poster form. I'd quite like them to keep a degree of consistency throughout to form a 'set' of sorts.

Inspired by how the character of Derek Zoolander bears shame for not being able to turn left on the runway.

Visualising Juno's pregnancy, but also representing her romantic interest and father of the child through his love of orange Tic Tacs.