The art of sketchbook-ing

So I know I haven't posted in a while, I can only apologise! I've been ill....twice, as well as general life getting in the way, you know how it is.

So I got up this morning and felt the need for some sketchbook-ing, which led me to ponder the art of the sketchbook. Firstly it must be noted that everyone has completely different ideas about what a sketchbook is. To me, at this point in my 'creative career', it is a vessel for recording interesting shops and exhibitions, for seeing who the up-and-coming new designers are, for cataloging the current trends, and for reminding me to do something creative that is easy and without pressure. It's a way of jotting down all my ideas, the good ones, the bad ones, and the just plain ugly ones, in a space where no one else has to see (unless I choose to publish it on the internet....!) It is definitely NOT just for drawing!

To others I know it is very different, to a friend of mine who is a very talented fine artist, it is way of capturing something very quickly, a way of drawing whenever and wherever the mood strikes. I have never known her not to have one on her at any one time.

It can be such a mixture, such a variety of thoughts and ideas that when it comes to sketchbook-ing, there really are no rules at all. Here's a few examples of differently they can be used:

So what separates the good sketchbook from the bad? Of course first you have to define 'good' and 'bad' sketchbook-ing, which is a complicated question to ask, but in my mind it is quite simple. It is simply that the best sketchbooks find the perfect balance between caring and not caring. Being neat and being messy. Considering whereabouts you place something on a page, yet making it look effortless, a subconscious act. Not I am an expert in doing this!

Here's a few pages out of mine:

If you're interested in this kind of thing and sketchbook-ing takes your fancy, try joining the sketchbook project, http://www.sketchbookproject.com. 

Muriel Grateau

So.....

I recently discovered the work of a certain French designer named Muriel Grateau. I read an article about her in a magazine and have been hypnotised by her work. Her shops contain rows upon rows of beautiful delicate ceramics and tableware, in every conceivable shade of every conceivable colour. Subtly is her key.

See what I mean? That's my kind of paradise, a world where everything is in colour order! Here's what happens when her collections are thrown together:

I love the loose splashes of ink that seem so free from control and how they contrast with the vastly controlled hues of colour. It is, of course, all extremely (I am mean seriously extremely) expensive, so i can only dream of owning a Muriel Grateau dinner set. Probably for the best - I am well known for my clumsiness! 

Here is the lady herself:

Very French, very stylish, very intimidating. Although I do admire her greatly, and secretly dream that it will be me one day, bespectacled and aloof, controlling my own world of design. 

New Obsession!

While I'm waiting for my fabric to arrive on the current collection that I'm working on, I've developed a new obsession. Road signs! I've been wandering around London looking like a weirdo taking pictures of signs! Yes, I know, doesn't sound very exciting. But it's only a specific type I'm interested in...

Basically my idea is to strip it back, get rid of all the distracting text so that what you're left with is actually a very interesting and unusual shape, free from all indication of what is or where to go. 

This is one of my favourites because it is so random and sporadic!

It makes you look at the shapes and lines created completely differently, and I love that. Finding beauty in what may be considered a boring, dull, everyday thing. 

And if you turn them upside down, the feeling of what they are completely changes:

In the simple act of turning them around, they become so visually different. 

Next step....getting some colour in there!

Favourite London buildings

Thought it was about time to pay homage to the great city that I live in....by highlighting a few of my favourite buildings. I've tried to mix it up and bit and included ones that you wouldn't expect....

To begin. The MI6 building in Vauxhall. I past this building every day to and from work and never get tired of it. I'm not sure exactly why....something to do with its impressive facade that tries to say 'I'm here, I'm protecting you and your country' while yet somehow remaining inconspicuous...

There's a great architectural lesson here about how to connect glass and stone. 

Next one is a bit obvious perhaps, but I can't help it! 

The magnificent Shard, towering above London at roughly the same height as the Eiffel Tower (give of take a few metres) I do love this building. It's striking under in any light, be it sunlit, rain-showered, moonlit, snow-showered. All of which I have seen it in in the past 6 months! Well done Renzo Piano. 

The city hall...

Yes, it looks like the kind of insect that would give you a very nasty sting if you stood on it, but I love this creation designed by my number two favourite architect (more on my number one architect later...) Norman Foster. It has been compared to many things including Darth Vader's helmet, and the 'glass gonad' by our very own major Boris Johnson. I think that it looks just the right amount of out-of-place-ness....yes that is a thing. 

Next on the list...

The Hayward Gallery South bank. This rather austere Brutalist building was not on my list of favourites when I visited it a few years ago on a College trip. Perhaps because it has taken me at least five years to actually like it, it is respect well-earned. I have enjoyed the outside exhibitions especially that make use of the almost maze-like balconies and spaces towards the back and sides of the building. I like the way it is almost jumbled together, development of the South bank in recent years have made it a little confused, but I like it this way. 

And last but not least....

Battersea power station. I love that this place has been left relatively untouched since it stopped providing South London with power in the eighties. For some reason it has been used for many a music video, singers and songwriters seeming drawn to its hauntingly empty towers, including the Beatles, Judas Priest and even Take That. And why not? It's the perfect place for it. There are whispers of redevelopment for the site, but rumours have been surrounding it for years, so it's hard to know for sure. I just hope whatever they do they don't change it too much, the reassuring sight of those towers gives me a solid bearing for wherever I am in London, be it my flat in sunny streatham or on top of Primrose Hill!

Image refs:

http://www.urban75.org/london/london-march-07.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shard

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Hall_(London)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2012/aug/05/southbank-centre-redevelopment-plans-london

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/1/11/1357911316243/Battersea-power-station-008.jpg

Golden rules of working from home

So, I thought I'd write a bit about some rules to act as a mini guide about working from home, as the vast majority of start-up designer/makers such as myself do. I want this blog to be not only a promotional tool for myself but also to share my journey into the scary and endless realm of setting up as a designer.

1. Get dressed! Sounds obvious, but dressing for work as you normally would (if you were going to step outside of the house) is an important part of working from home. For me, what I wear dictates a lot about how a feel during that day. You don't have to go all out with a trouser suit, but at least try to get out of pjs!
2. Take breaks! Don't be afraid to allow yourself decent lunch and snack breaks. It's very easy to skip lunch where you're knee-deep in a project, especially when there's no one else around to remind you it's time for tea, but it is important to step back from what you've already achieved that day and allow yourself a bit of head space.
3. Always allow time for drawing just for its own sake. As a creative person it is vital to spend some time cultivating ideas - even if they all end up in the bin and never go into production. 
4. Set out goals - outline what you want to achieve well in advance. I've started to create a weekly diary of everything I want to do that week, and what day I'm going to do it. Plan time for drawing, trips out to galleries and exhibitions as well. Mix it up so admin tasks, making tasks, and trips out are separated out, that way you won't get bored doing one thing all day!
5. Don't get distracted - the internet is a great big wonderful resource for research etc, but try not to get too distracted by (non-work related) Facebook, Youtube and everything else! Make a list of what you want to look up online and stick to it!

Are you another designer/maker trying to set up their business? Get in touch to share you're own experiences!

Feature! - Emma Francis Designs

A lovely lady called Emma who writes a very interesting and creative blog has agreed to write a feature on me!

Here's the link: http://emmafrancesdesign.blogspot.co.uk

It's always nice to have people saying nice things about your work!

Blog and Buy sale wish list

I know I keep banging on about it, but the blog and buy sale spring wish list is a really great place to get unique products both gifts and for the home.

I thought it was time I shared a few of my own favourites with you:

This cushion by designer Georgia Bosson is a lesson in simple is effective. What a brilliant idea, and great colours. 

I really love this print by Hey Jo Design. So beautiful and elegant! I'd love to give this house room. Other colours available. 

These unique Easter eggs by The Cocoa Mistress certainly come with a hefty price tag, but they're are just so cool! It's never to late for chocolate.

Marmo Scarf by the lovely Petra Green. I actually have one of these myself and can vouch that they are very useful, especially this time of year when you need something not too warm, not too cold. This scarf bridges the gap perfectly, and I love the graphic 80s style print. 

....Really tempted to get one of these packs of temporary tattoos by DB Illustrations, for those who aren't quite brave enough for the real thing. There's a floral pack too for those who aren't so keen on woodland creatures. 

I'm a sucker for anything bright, and this cushions by Kitty McCall hits this fix. 

This unusual mug by Parasite Ceramics caught my eye - I love that the shopping trolley is so small it almost, but not quite, looks a bit lost. 

Never been a fan of 'tray' design, but this cutie from Roddy and Ginger (great name) won me over. Beautifully photographed as well. Have a look for yourself. http://stall.blogandbuysale.com