Procrastinator? Me?

I'm supposed to be doing my dissertation. But then a little parcel arrived for me and left with me with some really tough decision making... which frames to buy? So I need your help. Here are the 4 frames in question. Tell me which ones you like the best, top left?... bottom right?... decisions decisions. The frame with the most votes I will go with. Then I'll get on with the dreaded dissertation - promise! Thanks folks. x

"Design is Everybody's Business."

With the festive season comes a chance to chill and soak up some inspiration... and sherry.

I passed by Margaret Howell's store the other day and had my nose pressed up against the window in awe. I love Howell's style - simple, elegant and undeniably British. I did some homework on Howell and it was nice to discover some commonalities: a passion for mid-century design and a strong belief in the importance of good design in the World in which we inhabit. Her ethos reminded me I must get a copy of Form, Function & Design by Paul Jacques Grillo, a great read which really made me think about the importance of design. Grillo's open and honest intro that addresses young designer's is really motivating and makes readers warm to him instantly. Although about architecture, this book has some interesting perspectives about design that I feel are appropriate to graphic designers. Here's a peek at some of Grillo's wise words which I'm sure will inspire you to read more.

"Design is not the product of an intelligentsia. It is everybody's business, and whenever design loses contact with the public, it is on the losing end. For the first time in history, there is today a total disconnection between art and the people. When I say that design is everybody's business, I don't mean that design is a do-it-yourself job. I mean that it affects everybody , at all times , in our lives . Unless we gain a better understanding of design, we shall witness our environment getting steadily worse, in spite of the constant improvement of our machines and tools."

I won't natter for much longer but talking of inspiring reads, I came across this website Quotes on Design which was fun to flick through. There's some good quotes on there from the likes of Paul Rand to David Ogilvy and I've just had a gander and picked up the following quote which is quite appropriate to what I've been wittering on about!

"I love designing, it is something which permeates my whole living, whether it is simply choosing the colour of my clothes in the morning or organising my household. Design to me is akin to beauty, an externalisation of my inner process regarding beauty & contentment with life." Martine Moeykens

Anyway, the reason I want to share these references is because the importance of design often gets lost in the clutter of mediocre, functionless design that gets outputted. It's important that good designers try to resist poorly paid, fastfood style design briefs and both realise and endorse the value and importance that good design plays. I learnt this lesson recently with a goodwill job I did for very little money and it's made me realise not to undervalue my service and not be tempted to thrash out designs for a quick buck. 

The bright side

Walked the family dog along Bexhill seafront today and came across these cool beach chalets I had never seen before. On what was a cold and blustery day, to stumble across this spurt of colour was a really nice surprise. Funny how inspiration can come to you when you're not even looking for it.

Merry Christmas!

It's kick back time when the slouchy clothes come out (allowing for extra indulgences), the heating gets turned up and we make our annual purr-chase of the Christmas edition of the Radio Times to highlight the Christmas viewing. How I do love Christmas. And as our Biggles kindly demonstrates, these are our plans for the next 2 weeks. Bliss. Merry Christmas one and all. xxx

Undone

An illo in response to Illustration Friday's theme for this week, 'undone'. A delicate sketch of teeny toddler's shoes with untied, loose laces. 

School's Out

Another term ended, another deadline met! It's been a long old term with lots of hard work and it was super satisfying to see the fruits of my labour all laid out. Below is my submission for my reflective module which is all about 'the happy collection' from Pen&Pringle. I shan't reveal all as this is going to be tweaked for my business so I won't reveal any secrets just yet! But I just had to give you a sneak preview. Forgive the quality of the shots - iphone camera is pants. x

Retro to Go

My lovely Routemaster print has been featured on Retro to Go!! It's only a limited edition of 20 so don't miss out! Available to buy here.

All I want for Christmas is...

Make Christmas shopping easier with this pretty booklet of Christmas Wishlists. 

With a set of 5 lists, get your family to let Santa (wink wink) know what they wish for this Christmas. Be it big hugs or a Christmas jumper, you can rest assure everyone gets that little something they've been after. Plus, these make lovely little keepsakes to show your little ones when they're older! For sale here.

Front Row 2009

It's always a pleasure to be involved with the local fashion show Front Row and this year, the theme was Recycle. I had the lovely job of designing the packaging for one of the show's gifts: a teacup garden which comprised of a vintage teacup, a bag of earth and a flower bulb. Staying true to the theme of the show, I designed a simple leaf print that was applied to good old newspaper. The prints were then folded into tea-leaf/coffee style bags which worked wonderfully! T'was fab to help the Front Row team who I must say did a spectacular job!

Go green this Christmas

I take my hats off to those who choose to go Christmas Card free over the festivities but I must admit, being a graphic designer and a self confessed paperphile, Christmas just isn't the same without those physical Christmas Cards from the ones you love.

So as long as we try and do our bit, I think that's what counts. And so now available, either via my shop or on etsy, you can buy my ever so cute 100% recycled Christmas cards. Taken from an original collage of mine, the design is inspired by vintage Christmas baubles. 

Send a card with a difference and wish your loved ones a green and vintage inspired Christmas this year! 

PS. Like a 5-pack as opposed to one? Drop me a line and we can tailor your order. x

About

In September I blogged about my article in About mag but could only show you what the spread looked like. Well the article's now online if you fancy a read of it.

Click image to read article.

Rrrrrrrrr-acy

Working on an identity for someone and it was so nice to see my moodboard framed and in pride of place. My iphone doesn't take great quality pics unfortunately but at least I could snap it in situ!

The wheels on the bus...

New to the Pen&Pringle shop is my limited edition Routemaster print! Add a touch of nostalgic style to any home or treat a loved one this Christmas. Now available here.

40x50cm print // Edition of 20  // Signed & Numbered

Cereal-ously Boring

It's interesting how in my final year I'm getting a real bug for packaging and I couldn't help but redesign Tesco's oh so boring Fruit & Fibre box.

I think cereal boxes have a duty to wake up their owner and represent what they do - provide fuel to start your day on a good note. Tesco's current packaging so doesn't do this and so I've been having a little fun playing around with Fruit & Fibre's ingredients, using them to depict a perfect morning. It's work in progress but it's getting there.

Nature speaks

Make Do & Mend

It's been a busy old time and this bee has not stopped. As part of the youth project I'm involved in, we ran a Make Do & Mend workshop transforming old rags into this season's must-haves.

It was our first workshop of this kind and it was so nice to bounce ideas off of one another. Cynthia, a colleague/ amazing seamstress with one of the best wardrobes ever, came up with the idea of teaming up an old polo neck with the bottom part of a t-shirt dress and hey presto - here's the results of my Gok-ing. Ok, so I look like I'm about to serve up an inflight meal but it just goes to show what you can achieve with your old wardrobe. 

Hang-tastic

I've been going colour crazy over the last few weeks and bright/ primary colours are really doing it for me at the moment. Spotted this little collection of children's wooden hangers today and I can't wait to do something with them. Watch this space.

My Monmouth

Bought a packet of lovely Monmouth coffee. I really wanted to photograph the whole display in the cafe as they looked so nice lined up with all the different pastelly coloured labels but it was busy and I probably would have got escorted off the premises. I love simple packaging so I've shot this packet to keep in my log of nice packaging. 

Acceptable in the noughties

Being a child of the 80s, I have very fond memories of the decade of Rubiks, legwarmers and shoulder pads. And yesterday, my awesome babe of a husband bought me the best present ever, a Timex 80s watch. I can't stop admiring this little beauty. I know it's not for some, but I love it.

If you're ever in Brighton, you must check out The Lollipop Shoppe - it's one of my favourite shops and I always come out feeling sad because I want to buy absolutely everything. V. inspiring and the staff are lovely too.

Stu stu studio

Been stuck at uni looking at colours and forms and blah blah blah. Trying to make sense of my plan to develop my own design formula - muahahahaha. If I look a little pasty next time you see me, you know why. x

Sleepy Deepy

I've got loads on at the mo so not much blogging going on I'm afraid folks. But thought I can't leave you high and dry so here's a pic of Flower, one of my cats demonstrating how I feel at the end of each day at the moment. Thank you Flower. For more cat pics or a look at my latest photos and illos check out www.flickr.com/photos/penandpringle/

Stationery Porn

I'm not afraid to admit, I keep stashes of stationery porn and here's my latest indulgence. The lovely people at itis edition have a gorgeous selection of stationery and rare books and magazines that you'd struggle to find elsewhere.

hor he hor he hor

I'm working on a brand identity at the mo and I've been looking à la française for inspiration. I so want to pop to Par-ee now! 

Girl about town

Really chuffed! Picked up a copy of local magazine 'About' whose front cover features my collage of the Kings Road in St Leonards on Sea. And that's not all. Inside there's an interview where I talk about Pen&Pringle and how I moved down and grew to love St Leonards on Sea. It's a lovely little piece and I must say a thank you to Hastings Borough Council for wanting to feature me.

Top tucker on the move

On my travels back from London last night I dined on the move and picked up an UP box (Urban Picnic box) from Clapham Junction. I was most impressed by the quality of the food but I think the packaging lets it down. The box is reminiscent of getting a book from Amazon - I can see where they're trying to go with this concept but it's simple shelf profile is perhaps too restrained and lacks an identity. And it seems a shame that UP's excellently presented food is hidden - I think UP should showcase their picnics through a cut-out window and use a thin plastic seal over the internal tray to protect the food. But if you're looking to grab a bite on the go, I'd definitely recommend their grub.

Doodling

Just got back from a very chilled spa break in Bath and heres some doodles from my sketchbook. 

Birthday Bonanza

Is it just me or are there lots of birthdays in September? Must be all that merriness at Crimbo.

I seem to have bought an awful lot of birthday cards this month - but I love browsing for the right card. nineteenseventythree have a gorgeous collection from different designers. I'm hoping one day I might have a collection with them (one can dream). 

On my hunt for a card with a difference, I came across this gorgeous 1950s birthday card that doubles up as a dexterity puzzle. You have to remove and replace the figure and ring without tearing or bending either. 

The rhyme on the card reads: 

"A birthday card that's really new, 

For here's a puzzle just for you. 

Now let's find out if you are quick, 

To see the way to do the trick, 

And if you can't - well don't despair, 

Read at the back - it tells you there!!". 

A lovely little piece of inspiration to go in my box of paper gems. A big happy birthday to all my September birthday buddies. xxx

The Papered Parlour

I adore making things and trying my hand at all sorts of crafts and it's great to see cool and quirky craft workshops cropping up all around the place. I love the Make Lounge in Islington and I'd read some good things about the Papered Parlour in Clapham. So on Saturday I did the Papered Parlour's screenprinting workshop. I made two totes which, granted, aren't amazing, but I've come away knowing how to screenprint from home so I'm now going to go crazy on Ebay and kit myself out with screenprinting supplies! Cue everything being screenprinted from hereon!

 

 

'Love is Like a Flower' print

I've really been getting into surface design and to whet your appetite, here's a little peek at one of my patterns which will hopefully be working it's pretty little way onto numerous bits and bobs in the not too distant future!

I love design that makes me happy and brightens up my day so I'm hoping I can brighten up other people's days too with this cheerful print.

'A' Star

Celebrating my YCN Award. For more info about the YCN design award visit http://www.ycnonline.com/awards.