Neal's Yard Herbal Remedies Pop up

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy new year everyone. As I’m sure you know; it is the year of the snake. Snakes are often perceived as bad omens, evil, sly or just scary, but in many cultures they resemble many virtues. Snakes are also associated with rebirth, eternity, patience, fertility, balance, communication, intuition, awareness, healing and protection.

 

I like to think therefore that this year of the snake will bring us all some kind of rebirth that will continue through out our lives.

 

Leaving the Hippy stuff aside, this year I wanted my new year card to be a lot more colourful. I used this project to practice using my tablet for colouring. I found it difficult to draw the snakes in a gentle way considering the stereo types that come with snakes. I tried to overcome this by using botanical art, symmetry and colour. The snakes eating themselves (Ouroboros) are an ancient Greek symbol that represents eternal renewal and cycle. The snake at the bottom is forming the symbol for infinity.

 

Thames Moon Olympics

In light of the Olympics I’ve dug deep into my hard drive to find this project. The Thames Moon is an object that sits in the Thames. As the Thames’ tide falls gravity works within the object to filter water. Compared to the overall filth of the Thames such a processes will hardly make a difference to the cleanliness of the river however the object’s purpose is more than a filtration system. It aims to bring attention to the Thames and the space that is created everyday between the tides, it encourages the citizens to be more thoughtful about the river and celebrates the fact that the river is slowly improving and now supports aquatic life. It reminds us that the city of London was built around the Thames, without it, it is unlikely London would exist. Thames Moon generates electricity using both the tide and solar energy for its lighting. Careful thought has been put into its position and shape so as to minimise the effect it has on water flow and to increase its visibility to passersby.

More cards! it's about time I made a name card. And here it is.

It is obvious that font, lettering and information communication has been playing on my mind recently. Of course thinking up name cards is way to exciting so I'm sure I will think up a new one within the year. The card comprises of a paper clip and two pieces of paper. One side has my blog address and the other has my name and number hidden within the letters. The receiver must play with the card that has holes to reveal the details.

To go with the card is a new background design. I hope all the letters aren't giving you too much a migraine!

Nengajo

As it is coming to the end of the year, and I haven't posted anything for a while. I thought I should post some Nengajo (Japanese New Year Postcards). These cards were made mostly in Illustrator. The rabbit is from this year and the cat is from last year. Seeing as 2012 is the year of the dragon, I have been working on something cool, and this time round I'm having ago at a hand drawn picture. Come back before the years out, to check it out.

Serengeti Bird Visual

Some very old Max work, in fact possibly my first attempt. During the first summer of university, to encourage us to become proficient at max we were asked to design and create a bird. The presentation was made with photos, Photoshop, Illustrator and of course 3DSmax.