Northern Exposure

Simon Pioli & Jia Ying Gnoh from Staffordshire University mixed with professional designers, fellow design students, rock stars (yes-rock stars), TV presenters and over 250 guests at The Rose Bowl, Leeds...which hosted the award ceremony for the Northern Design Competition.

After enjoying roast beef, yorkshire pudding (& gravy of course), the 50 selected students were introduced (out of over 3,ooo entries), and awarded their prizes (one of which was given out by Riki Wilson of The KaiserChiefs......(former graphics students at Leeds). Simon & Jia were 2 out of 7 students in the Graphic Design category which was won by a student at Lincoln. It was still a great achievement for what was Level 1 and Level 2 work, as most students had already graduated, or in some cases, were doing PhDs.

So, after the awards, the band kicked in and the remaining free beer

& wine polished off! An excellent night and a lot of interest was shown towards Simon and Jais work. Better luck next time guys. You can view some of Simon's work at www.simonpioli.com

(Is that Margaret Mumford recruiting for the next Apprentice??)

It's Win up North....

Simon Pioli and Jia Ying Gnoh, both Level 2 Graphics Students, are finalists  in the prestigious Northern Design Competition  - which hosts its Award Dinner later this month. 

In each of the six main categories, there will be £1,000 cash prize for each category winner. There will be four runners-up per category who will each recieive £100. The overall Competition winner will receive £2,000. Other cash throwing itself about includes £500 for the Young Northern Designer Winner, with £500 going to the college/university, plus, £100 for the runners-up. Judges include Wayne Hemingway and from Elmwood, Richard Sholey. Pictured is Simon's entry, a piece designed for a Visual Communication brief at Staffs.

Fruit of our labour

A reminder that the Staffordshire University 3rd year BA Hons Graphic Design show opens on Friday 5th June.

If you're looking to cherry pick the best in design talent then I implore you to widen your net and give the students at Staffordshire your full attention.

For more information visit http://www.staffs.ac.uk/faculties/art_and_design/showcase/art_and_design_show/index.jsp

Friendly advice from a design legend

No, not Alan Fletcher, Peter Saville or Milton Glaser... this philosophical gem comes from none other than Bruce Lee.

In my own little way I think this is great advice for any student trying to get their foot in the door at a design studio. It also remains true throughout your career as you have to adopt this philosophy with every brief you undertake. See what you think anyway.

Thats gotta hurt like HELvetica.............

MY TYPE OF TATT.

Well, someone beat me to it and got inked with the immortal typeface...........the beauty is that when you put on weight, it becomes helvetica extended and slimmer - more condensed. 

Ah the beauty of it....living type. Some people on this guys blog daren't comment on the kerning....so I won't.......

Can you tell what it is yet?

Level 3 Graphics & Illustration Students at Staffs, begin to put their final show together. By time of going to press, this is now up and pretty much ready for June 5th Preview Evening.

The Show runs from Fri 5th June - [6-8pm] to Sat 13th June.  

So, if you're after some fab new talent....there's a glutony of it  in Graphics......everything from print, branding, ad campaigns, paper sculpture, packaging, publishing, craft, illustration, info design, p.o.s., in every conceivable format, awaits your gaze.....

Harry caught in the Chase

A small sherry shall be raised to Staffordshire graduate (2008) Harry Heptonstall who has been snapped up by those lovely people at The Chase.

Ironically enough, I worked on a project for Harry's father, Duncan, whilst I worked at The Chase in my formative years. Spooky!

Best of British to Harry and I'll try and get him to add his thoughts and early experiences to 'The Sponge' in the near future.

P.S. Note to The Chase, Rach - give him what for, Pete - make him squeal like a pig!

http://www.thechase.co.uk