Rollercoaster!

Gosh! What a hectic time I've had as I have come to the end of my studies! I am now the proud owner of a degree!! :) 

I've neglected my blog a little but I am back now to keep you updated about what I am up to!

Here are my final images photographed and ready for portfolio..

My book!!

My book is finally completed! I'm so excited to see it all made up!

 I used flock vinyl for my type and imagery, and I sat for hours sewing little tiny beads all around the edge of my cover..just to add a little something! The whole book is made by hand which I think gives it a certain quality and makes it unique. I added a sparkly gold ribbon as a finishing touch! 

My book will be exhibited at the Salford Zine Library at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. The exhibition starts 15th October and runs until 29th January 2012. Have at look at link for times and address! http://www.craigjohnbarr.co.uk/index.php?/salford-zine-library/

Some of my old work!

I have decided to display some of my previous work, I hope you like!

These two pieces were for a book cover. The book was entitled 'Nights at the Circus' by Angela Carter.

I used a mixture of collage, photocopy and print making. I made these in my first year at college four years ago!

Above is the title page.

Another college project (at ND level): to reinvent 'Old Spice'. We were asked to design three posters that linked, and made 'Old Spice' appealing again! I decided to link mine with words that tell a very short story. All the type and imagery I hand-cut using a scalpel, the background is ink.

This project was to design a poster for an arts festival in Liverpool. I researched Liverpool, I visited it and found it very industrialised hence my choice of medium, (lead pencil) the bursts of colour represent the hope for Liverpool as things improve with all the redevelopments that seemed to be taking place.

For 'Counter' project we had to design a magazine cover with contents page and editorial, it had to be in the style of a guest editor..I chose Luke Best. 

The front cover below displays the ends of colouring pencils. It's fun and playful. 

I really struggled with type at this stage and I had just started  studying ND Graphic design at college when I made these pieces, so it was all new to me. I have learnt a lot and my style has progressed now. I have more old work to upload which I will do very soon.

8x8 Project Final Outcomes

I nearly lost the will to live today!!..after previously losing my images for this project (due to a faulty pen drive), I then dropped the box containing all my cut outs this morning, on the way to the studio for re-shooting, and nearly cried as I watched them floating in the biggest puddle of doom!!!!

So I sat in my car sulking as I dried them all using my car heaters!!..which took forever! Then I ran a quick iron over them in the print room, and they were as good as new! 

It took me a good three hours to set up my scene and shoot, but finally, I have my images!! 

Above is my full page illustration.

I wanted to depict an African scene with the natives rejoicing as they do at the end of the story. It seems after all their hardship they are still very happy people, the cut out hearts represent this. There are serious issues raised in the story but I wanted my image to be quite light hearted and focus on the people and not the issues.

I chose a certain colour palette relating to descriptions in the story, such as the red dust. I wanted to keep basic shapes and a naivety about my piece, my influences came from the African flags, and other African books which gave me a sense of place. 

Above is my spot image.

In the story there is a little boy who's mother has passed away and his father is suffering from AIDS. The head teacher from his school is making a home visit and takes one of the British helpers along. It is very sad to read how poorly his father is and the conditions which they are living in. The boy makes Red Bush Tea which is what i decided to display in my image along with shoes which are also talked about quite a bit in the story. The tea represents home, warmth and caring. The shoes represent the people.

I continued with the same colour palette.

I hope you like!

Hello!

It seems like I have been away forever! Unfortunately I was poorly and my blog was neglected but all is well now!

As promised I have my final outcomes for 'James and the Giant Peach' brief and the 'Wellspring' brief too.

I hope you like!

Wellspring project progress!

I spent most of yesterday in the photographic studio setting up my design for the back cover of the newspaper we are making.

I used a 'cove' with wooden dowels placed across the top to suspend my elements from. I fiddled with my piece for absolutely ages to get the right composition...good job I have patience!! Then I took photographs with sufficient lighting, here is the outcome! 

The requirements for this brief is that it has to be in black and white (newspaper), I think my design works well with this limitation; the type is legible and the detail I put into my design can be seen, adding interest.

I still have a little more type to add, as required, which will be computer generated type as a small contrast to the hand generated type that is already on the image. I also have two logos to consider.

I will upload the final back cover once I have added the above!

Back To Basics: My Work

I've had the urge recently to do some drawings, just pencil and nothing else! I often like using collage and anything I can get my hands on but want to go back to basics!!

 I studied Fine Art in St Albans when I was 18 (prior to Graphics and Illustration), I want to use the skills I learnt  there, just basics of drawing and composition.

Here are some of my drawings from my sketchbooks.

Just pencil!!

Sketch of a Bill Brandt photograph