Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square

Source - http://jimstrutzin.hubpages.com/hub/15-Best-Print-Ads-of-2011

"Live in your world, play in ours", was the slogan used in this ad poster to promote Sony's Playstation brand. The poster is a great parody of the famous holywood hill sign in which the iconic 'triangle, circle, cross (or X), square' symbols from the playstation controller is shown instead of the hollywood sign. This ad shows just how far the Playstation brand has come since its inception in the early 90s. The controller symbols together are almost universally recognised by most people as the controller sign for the Playstation console.

Movember

As you all know Movember which raises funds and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer by encouraging men to grow moustaches takes part during the month of November. Digital consultancy 'Twentysix' is planning on raising some money for Movember by selling the artwork of 180 artists who wants to help contribute to this fund raising event.

Source - http://www.designweek.co.uk/whats-on/gallery-of-mo/3035474.article

 "The Moalition" by Sam Gilby shows James Cameron sporting a moustache. It is a great way of promoting Movember by using a recognisable face that people will know of instantly when they see it. The actual artwork itself is quite impressive. I really like the illustrative 'painterly', almost cel shaded finish to it while looking realistic at the same time. The cartoony aspect of the finish indicates that its not meant to be taken seriously rather more light heartedly. This would communicate to the audience that Movember while being a fund raising charity event, its fun to take part in (sporting a moustache can be fun especially if you normal don't keep one!).

Source - http://www.designweek.co.uk/whats-on/gallery-of-mo/3035474.article

"Cal Kilburn" by Michael Arnold. This piece takes a different approach. The portrait is very simplistic and almost comic like with its use of very bright colours. There is not so much detail but the same light hearted feeling that the artwork emmits rather is present.

Source - http://www.designweek.co.uk/whats-on/gallery-of-mo/3035474.article

"Christopher Porter" by Jack Hughes.

Environmentally friendly fishnet

In a world we live in today, environmental issues are a hot topic, from global warming to melting polar ice caps. Its a big deal for us all. However other aspects such as animals are also considered part of our environment as wilflife.

 

Source - http://www.designweek.co.uk/news/uk-designer-wins-international-james-dyson-award/3035548.article

UK Designer Dan Watson (a Royal College of Art graduate) has won the international James Dyson award for his 'SafetyNet' design. It is basically a glowing ring that attatches to a fishing net that allows juvenile and unmarketable fish to escape. It acts like an emergency exit sign for fish. 

Source - http://www.designweek.co.uk/news/uk-designer-wins-international-james-dyson-award/3035548.article

Why is this significant? It is significant because right now nearly half of the fish that are caught with conventional fishing nets are thrown back into the sea, as they are either too small/still at a young age, but many don’t survive. The safety rings (SafeNet) allows for a small gap for the small/young fish to escape without putting them in harm while being samll enough to keep the desirable fish trapped in the net. Not only is this helping the small/juvenile fish but also the fisherman, as thier effiency to catch marketable fish will increase.

Looking forwards

As you all know, Barack Obama has just recently been re-elected as the Presedient of the United States. But what fueled his campaign to success? One word. Forward.

Source - http://media.mlive.com/flintopinion_impact/photo/obama-2012jpg-9924dfff1360f43f.jpg

Throughout his presidential campaign in posters, billboards and videos, the iconic 'forward' slogan was prevalent everywhere. The word was stamped in capitals, usually behind a blue background. The blue representing the sky and hope for the future looking up or forwards. We all look up to the sky and its always blue, so the colour has a very close association with the sky.

Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Obama2012logo.svg

Above is the 2012 Obama logo without the word forward but again communicating the same message with the sky blue colourin the background.

Source - http://tucsoncitizen.com/baja-democrats/files/2012/10/obama-forward1.jpg

The forward logo onto a black background in white. The period in the end is a shining, suggesting that the image is a visual metaphor of there being a bright light at the end of a tunnel. This would say to the supporters of Obama that if they vote for him there will be a possitive change and the there is hope even in a time of darkness (America's economical struggles), looking forward and hoping for a bright future.

Source - http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/30700000/Forward-Not-back-Change-happens-barack-obama-30745434-640-426.jpg

People holding the 'Foreward' poster in support of Obama.

Co-operate, working together

These a various different works by designers part of the Mill Co. co-operative (a collective of freelance artists & designers). A co-operative "is a group of people acting together to meet the common needs and aspirations of its members, sharing ownership and making decisions democratically" - http://www.co-operative.coop/corporate/widermovement/. The works showcase in some form or manner the idea of Cooperativism.

Source - http://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/mill-co-cooperation-show
"Block" by David Hazell. I really like the big bold colours present in this photo. The use of broght colours create a sense of joy and happiness, it also makes the poster stand out from anything else with it being so bright!



Source - http://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/mill-co-cooperation-show
"Many Small People, Many Small Places" by Rhiannon Adam. I like the layering effect of the photos displayed in this piece of work, its slightly disorientating at times with the photos being all over the place. I like the almost vintage like finish to the final piece with the brown and green tints.



Source - http://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/mill-co-cooperation-show
Tom Frost: "Working Together". Great way fo communicating the message of working together by using a hand pumped railcar which requires you to work well together (between two people) to use it properly.

Source - http://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/mill-co-cooperation-show
Eleanor Marechal: "Garden City". I like the geometric approach. It seems as if the design has been specifically structured and very calculated when it was in the design process.

Body art and a contortionists

Some really amazing body art work. At first the images are quite deceiving of their true form, a bit of an optical illusion. The photo first photo closely resembles a flamingo bird, there is a lot of attention to detail especially with the bird's leg on the woman. The white on white helps hide the fact that the flamingo's legs actually just been painted on the legs. The use of negative space helps keep focus on the flamingo as the focal point. The sharp contrast between the reds of the flamingo woman and the white background makes the centre piece stand out much more.

http://www.oddee.com

The image of the woman on the motorcycle is quite mind boggling. It consists of a group of people all twisted and turned to form a complex shape of the motorcycle, even though the final piece is not quite as subtle as the flamingo photo in terms of tricking the viewer into thinking the image is something it's not, the complexity of the work makes it quite a remarkable accomplishment.

http://www.oddee.com