Press Gang...

Creativity comes in many forms, so it was such a treat for us when we were contacted by recent Contemporary Media Practise graduate Maresa Harvey. In search of an internship with us working on our blog, (something we unfortunately cannot offer at the moment), we thought we would invite her to write a guest post using a recent show or exhibition she had seen. So while we were scouting New Designer's in Islington, Maresa was down on Brick Lane looking out for work that caught her eye at FreeRange.

Of course, we know what we like, so we were intrigued, and equally excited to see someone else's take on the current crop of graduate talent, and she has not disappointed! Maresa's curated collection of illustration, photography, fine art and sculpture creates a perfect mix of truly talented new designer's and artists...


ROUND UP: FREE RANGE- ART WEEK 2
by Maresa Harvey

Now drawing to a close, I visited the opening of the penultimate week of Free Range last night; showcasing graduates work from disciplines in art, illustration and graphics. There was an extreme wealth of creative talent, making it very difficult to make a selection for recommendation. However, here are the eight that really caught my attention from the Arts University College, Bournemouth.

Downfall - Hollie Mackenzie

Sculpture

Mackenzies’ practice aims to discuss notions of utopia and dystopia. Her most recent project Downfall, explores such themes whilst looking at the transitional space of a stairwell. Created entirely of pine wood, her masterful carpentry skills present an alluringly mutated version of a passageway that we so commonly use. 

Liminal - Rebecca Pretty
Photography

The work of Rebecca Pretty looks at emerging and submerging figures. Placed inbetween a position of apparition and disappearance, the ambivalent nature of the work causes a contradiction of feelings between unease and tranquility.

Extractions - Becky Welford 
Photography

With her project Extractions, Becky Welford considers the continuing damage a thirty-six year long Civil War can impose on a country. Six years since the conclusion of peace negotiations in Guatemala, the stronghold of devastation, fear and distrust, are still ever prevalent throughout its society. The fragmented nature of the body of work metaphorically highlights this on-going process of repair.

Four Faces Eight Places - Alex Whitey
Photography

The sequence of photographs by Alex Whitey is produced in a western codex book, with a large-scale print at the entrance to the exhibition. The black and white, high contrast images document a relationship between spatial and temporal worlds that question notions of the common-place and mysterious.

Please Wait... - Louise Byng
Illustration

Capturing moments of stillness, the series of work is captivating in its approach. Louise Byng successfully portrays the repetitive scenes of everyday life in Britain; highlighting the  ever common task of waiting that is such an inherent part of our culture.

Nikoo Bafti
Illustration

Already familiar with the work of Nikoo Bafti, it was really nice to see her work in exhibition. The delicate fine line detail of ethereal scenes where truly beautiful to view. Exploring myths and fairytales, the body of work is captivating to look at.

Vinter Himmel - Marta Fjellheim
Illustration/ Animation

Norwegian artist Marta Fjellheim showcases a stop frame animation inspired by the cold winters of her home country. Set to a mystical soundtrack, the work is impressive in its craftmanship. The use of movement is particularly enjoyable, with seamless scenes of action.

Kirsty Britten
Mixed-Media

The large scale works of Kirsty Britten use photographic fragments as the basis for a exploration into the elusiveness of the image. Issues of memory, place and identity are discussed through the disjointed portrayal of the familiar and the foreign.

Exhibition continues: Friday 6th July - Monday 9th July
See www.freerange.org.uk for further details.

Hot off the press...

A few months after first chatting to the guys at Plog Magazine, and realising we genuinely share the same passion for supporting and promoting new creative talent, we are incredibly excited to be part of Issue 5 which comes out today!

As well as a feature about us, (a bit scary having our photo full-size on a page!) There are some amazing designers featured, including a great cover, quite possibly our favourite to date by Spiros Halaris from KOKOMI, with work and words from graphic artist Danny Aldred.

As well as receiving a print from Barnacus Knock, entitled The Tubers with every purchase, we have also donated ten of our tote bags, and a series of postcard sets to go to the lucky participates that re-tweet and spread the love of the latest issue through Facebook.

All the details can be found on the Plog website, where you can also buy the magazine on-line...we hope you all like it...!

Transferrable Skills...

Zoe Alexandria Richardson, a London-based jewellery designer approached us as she embarks on her new venture under the name Dual Nation Jewellery.

Having already completed a degree in fashion design and marketing, she needed another creative outlet, and enrolled in a diploma course for creative jewellery making at the London Jewellery School.

When she approached us with her collection, it was something we hadn't really seen before, and were intrigued to find out more, so we set up a meeting last month to meet her, and see her pieces first-hand.

Zoe uses a material called poly-clay, a plastic-based substance to form the decorative parts of her jewellery, and applies transfers she finds interesting to finish the look. Using a simple colour palette of gold, silver and bronze, she creates an interesting mix of uniquely shaped statement pieces with a vintage postcard quality, as well as drawing inspiration from her British and Australian heritage.

With her perfect mix of fashion, design and marketing skills, we see big things for Zoe as she has also talked about extending her ranges with her own illustrations, as well as looking to collaborate with other illustrators too.

We have a small selection of her work available through the Look Like Love store, so head over to take a closer look...

All things bright and beautiful...

Jessie G has been on board with us for the last couple of months, but we thought we would do a bit of an official introduction...

Jess works as an interior designer in London, but ever since being given her first silk screen as a child, she has been addicted to the process and the wide-range of results that can be achieved.

She takes inspiration from her travels around the capital, and her trips a bit further afield too. Her bright, and bold graphic approach tunes into a style akin to mid-century modern, and her pieces whether a print or cushion wouldn't look out of place on a G-Plan sideboard or Ercol daybed!

Most weekends you will find her brightening up a Designer-Maker Market in London with a kaleidoscope of colourful wares from greetings cards to poppy prints, she brightens our day and will brighten a room in any home too...

Find some of her beautiful prints at our shop...here...

Stand out in the crowd...

Free Range 2012 at London's Truman Brewery is in full-swing, and as always, it kicked off with the best of graduate fashion.

Here are a few of our stand-out collections from the past couple of weeks...

Southampton Solent University

Agnese Dzene 'Russian Fairy Tale'

Ieva Poriete 'Restriction'

University of Plymouth - Somerset College

Jennifer Riley 'Structurally Romantic'

Holly Harmes 'Catalan Exposure'

Zeta Thorne 'Romanesque'

American InterContinental University London

Nazish Kalani

Mukungwe Leck 'In Transit'

Mukungwe Leck 'Utopia/Dystopia'

All images are courtesy of the Free Range 2012 Graduate Portfolios where these, and many more talented graduates work can be found in all art and design disciplines...

We'll be posting at various points over the next couple of months with a focus on more from Free Range, D&AD New Blood and New Designers, we can't wait to get out there scouting!

University Press...

A big thanks this week to Wolverhampton University for featuring our Pop-up exhibition on their blog, with a special mention to one of their alumni Kayleigh Hadley...

The University has posted about us before, so we are very flattered to have been included for a second time to celebrate the achievements of one of their former students, as well as the other designers involved.

The full article is available to view here

Spontaneous Repetition...

Last week saw the launch of the long overdue retrospective of work by Thomas Heatherwick at the V&A.

After completing an MA at the Royal College of Art, Heatherwick set-up the studio in 1994 as a space to explore all creative mediums from architecture and furniture design, to engineering and urban regeneration. His exploration of structures and surfaces using controlled repetition, as well as the creative spontaneity of an idea through materials, adds balance and a strong thought process.

Tucked away in The Porter Gallery, it felt like a more discreet offering than some of the other exhibitions at the V&A, but certainly didn't detract from the sheer scale, and confidence of some of the pieces on show.

What was really lovely about the exhibition was the emphasis on the 'studio'. The designs might be big and bold, but Heatherwick's ego certainly wasn't evident, as the range of works were all presented as collaborative projects.

At the entrance, visitors are invited to 'produce' their own guide by cranking a large handle which operates a huge engineered reel of paper, unravelling each section to a very satisfying 'tear here' perforation.

The exhibit weaves through the space, tracing the work and thought processes involved, all neatly stacked to make the most of the ceiling height of the gallery. Classic telephone receivers are dotted through the space with interview snap-shots adding another layer, with each area playing with scale and proportion just as much as the work itself.

The exhibition gives an intriguing and intimate insight into one of the country's design pioneers and someone well worth celebrating, the best of British...

Heatherwick Studio - Designing The Extraodinary is on at the V&A until 30th September...