Thursday 31 December 2009

A new project!

Inspired by a thread on emptees and thread on Design Forums (check my links for both) I have been thinking about the idea of doing something unrelated, in a just for fun/learning/practicing sorta way.

Emptees thread was more of a challenge, but it offered the idea of using 5 unrelated free stock images to create something a little different, whilst the DF thread was more about doing something every day. I would like to think I had time every day to do something like what is going to follow, but I don't, I have work to do! So I decided that hopefully once a week I am going to do something, a stock mash up, a tutorial, you get the idea.

The point is really to spend an hour or 2 less faffing on the internet and do something productive (oh the irony as I post this on the net!).

Here is my first attemtpt:

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Get it here

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Get it here

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Get it here

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Get it here

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Get it here

So these are my sample images and here is my result.

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I have used all the above images, the cloud shapes are made from the sheep's wool, that makes me smile. General conscientious of opinion is that the building is from Blade 2.

I like this idea so expect more!

Last post of 2009, is a positive one!
Michael

Links
Larger Version

Full Design part one!

They Walk Among Us are a Cardiff band who have been around for a while, seen some action, toured the US (got a few mental stories about a one armed double bass player), done SXSW...

Safe to say these guys aren't amateurs.

So working with them has been a really cool process, they have had ideas, but are willing to listen to mine, its been a nice collaboration.

First off I did them a logo, they like the SWPK big type, so they have something similar.

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Univers for you type nerds.

Then a myspace!

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The reason I say part one, there is CD artwork to come, as well as a few other bits and bobs, but they deserve a photo when it is all completed! Trust me its rather special!

Thanks
Michael

Links
Larger Version
They Walk Among US Myspace

Everybody needs a tattooist...

Ok, maybe not everyone, but I certainly do! My tattooist is starting a fresh in a new location and as we are more than just customer/client, we are actually friends(!!!), he ask me to sort him out with a myspace for his new shop.

He told me to, "keep it clean and just get it live, we can worry about an all singing and dancing one, once the shop is up and running." So here we have my response to that very limited brief.

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I think that fits the brief. The Kids in Glass Houses video is going to be changed in a few days with a walkthrough vid of the shop, they are still painting at the moment.

Few more things to do...
Michael

Links
Larger Version
End Of The Line Tattoo Studio

Monday 14 December 2009

Random Nice Things

One of the best things about doing this blog is that I get to ramble a little (well, a lot) about things that I think are cool or things that I have done, you get the picture.

So this post is entirely about some recent niceness relating to my work.

First off:

I was featured on a design blog!

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Interviewed and sample portfolio, it was nice to even be featured, let alone well recieved by Amber who runs the blog.

Go to Design Splat or My interview.

Second off:

I enjoyed doing work on the Zenyth project, and it has resulted in some randomly cool things...

It was cool to go to their release show, take some photos and hang out with some friends, but it was way cooler to see my artwork projected on the screen behind the band.

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I may or may not have mentioned my love affair with my local indie record store, Spillers, I was walking past there a few weeks back and the Zenyth CD was in the window. Simple pleasure. Excuse the low quality, camera phone picture.

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Alot of clients will try and sell you doing their work on where and who will see your work, whilst this is always nice, it should not be a motivation for doing your best work. I usually try to ignore these sorts of things as I want to concentrate on the work, not the aftermath. However, it was fairly cool to wandering around HMV and see it in the racks.

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Can you see it? Want a clearer view?

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That put a smile on my face.

My shirt design for SWPK, was rather fun to do, I sent them a few drafts of the design and they ended up having 2 made, one colour and the 2 colour, I saw the 2 colour, it ended up different colours from my choice, but what the hell, they like it. I was also really happy to finally get my hands on one myself.

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Success, success...
Michael

Been a while...

Well it has, not a massively long while, but long enough to make me think about it. This has been sat on my computer for a while, I have been busy on other projects so it has meant I have been avoiding (well not avoiding) an update over here for a while.

I don't have much to say about this one, just happy it came together.

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More soon...
Michael

Links
Larger Version
Toucan Club
Flip Your Wig/Canton Space Project

Wednesday 2 December 2009

2009

2009 is coming to end, and its been a great year for soooooo many different reasons. It is traditional at the end of the year to review the achievements, accomplishments and high points.

I have been asked by my local independent record shop, Spillers, for my 10 favourite records of 2009. Sound easy? Hell no! The first thing that sprang to mind was, what records have I bought this year that weren't released this year? What was released this year that I loved...

I started to think about what I wanted to include, I thought about genre, style, then it was time to think about doing some research into release dates.

Whilst my list for Spillers, will most likely be nothing more than a list of 10 records, with a few honourable mentions, I wanted to explain it for myself as much as anyone else who was curious. Here it is in no particular order:

1. Seasick Steve - Man From Another Time

Another great outing from Californian 'Song and Dance Man'. 2006's 'Dog House Music' was a great record, but the true magic of the man was not captured on the record as well as it was on various live performances (see Jools Holland Hootenanny). 2008's 'I Started Out With Nothing...' truly captured the magic of man, his wonderful gift for story telling, humour, his natural style as a player, amongst so many other qualities. There is something about a bluesman, a quality that is difficult to quantify, the man and his story is often more important than the music he plays, and 'Man From Another Time" is another superb offering from Seasick Steve. This is foot stomping blues at its finest, he captures a sound similar to that of Elmore James, Lightnin' Hopkins...in other words the men who defined Blues, yet this is 2009, there is something magical when a current artist re-captures the magic of the original genre defining artists. Seasick Steve is truly the master of modern blues.

2. Weezer - Raditude

This has been a wonderful 2 years for Weezer fans, 2008 gave us the Red Album and Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo and 2009 gave us Radititue and Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo volume 2!! I find it incredibly strange that their first 3 albums took 7 years to release, yet somehow since 2001 they have managed to release 5 (excluding the home recordings)! There was always a strange joke of the Weezer curse, odd numbered/colour titled albums were great, even numbered/title albums were somewhat more experimental. Example, Blue & Green - both awesome, Pinkerton & Maladroit - more experimental. Their last 3 offerings have been Make Believe, The Red Album and now Raditute, all 3 simply amazing albums, wonderful slices of poppy, catchy, alternative rock. From the opening moments of '(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To' it is hard not to smile as the instantly accessible poppy melodies rush over you. Once again Weezer are doing what they do well, and I can't get enough of it!

3. Chuck Ragan - Gold Country

I loved Hot Water Music, I really did, I miss Hot Water Music, I really do! Caution is probably one of my favourite punk albums, ever. Their decision to call it a day is eased greatly by Chuck Ragan's solo offerings. There are countless examples of transitions from punk/hardcore to acoustic/country, (Frank Turner, Jonah Matranga, Chris Wollard...) and Chuck Ragan manages to be among, if not the best example. This was one of the albums of the summer from me, seeing him in August in TJ's really was a special night, his music just comes into its own live, its just close enough to the record to be awesome, but just different enough to make the evening a bit special (does that make sense?). 'Done and Done' and 'The Trench' are my favourite moments.

4. Brand New - Daisy

What can I say about this band? So much, I could probably go on for weeks. I heard their first album (Your Favourite Weapon) in 2002, and I was treated to a wonderful example of Geeky Emo Rock, that was insightful, albeit a little immature in content, so I was certain they would be an interesting band to follow. Deja Entendu showed a more mature side to their song writing, and it remains one of my favourite albums, hookie, catchy, yet more mature than their previous offering. The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me, was again a further departure, it was a more somber experience, but a wonderfully engaging listen regardless. Daisy is another move for them, whilst retaining some of their trademarked hooks, their is a decidedly more aggressive approach to this album, which was an amazing surprise (bordering around a shock) from the initial moments of the record. Brand New remain the masters of progression, each album moves forward whilst managing to retain a distinct sound. 'Vices', 'At the Bottom' and 'Be Gone' are my favourites.

5. New Found Glory - Not Without A Fight

After years and 5 (?) records released through Island Records/Drive Thru, their move to Bridge Nine to release the parody "International Super Heroes of Hardcore" and a New Found Glory EP (well I say an EP, 3 songs and 3 covers) was almost like a rebirth preparing them for their arrival on Epitaph. They were always a fantastic pop punk band, thier self titled album and 'Sticks and Stones' are simply fantastic, but their last 2 offerings on Island were mellowing, Catalyst and Coming Home seemed to be a move away from what they did well, don't get me wrong I really like both albums, but they are not a patch on their earlier records or this! What we have is a pop punk band with hardcore roots back to doing what they do best. For this reason alone, it deserves a great deal of praise and it's place on numerous lists of this fashion!

6. This City - We Were Like Sharks

Try and imagine, if you will what would happen if you took Head Automatica, Men Woman and Children and Glassjaw (is that making your brain say "hang on?") you would most likely end up with This City. The Brighton based 5 piece, combine awkward, jerky, funky timings with heavy guitars and truly unique vocals. I saw them supporting Rival Schools in Birmingham and thought, if I knew their music I would love this! So I went out bought EP's, downloaded remix's, you name it, I was hooked. To describe it would be difficult, their drum patterns are borrowed from Hip Hop and Disco, their guitar sound is so evidently Hardcore Punk, and vocals, well lets say he listened to Glassjaw far too much, yet has managed to develop his own style. It is rare that you are faced with a unique sounding record in this day and age, yet some how This City have managed it! High points include, "We Move", "Picture This" and "Colours".

7. Chains of Hate - Cold Harsh Reality

This is Hardcore! Deeply inspired by the likes of Madball, Strife, One Life Crew, Sick of It All...This is punishingly heavy hardcore with a deep sense of groove that is often lost in modern hardcore bands. Whilst this has only just seen its official release, I have been lucky enough to have had it since the summer, it helps that I was the guitarists best man! It's strange that this has been the record I have listened to most in the early hours, as it really helps me wake up. This is one of those records that makes me want to get sweaty, violent and happy with my boys. Brutal beatdowns, punishing riffs, bring on the circle pits, walls of death, I just can't get enough of it. Check out 'Nothing to Prove' or 'Scars of Life'.

8. Thrice - Beggars

Again, a band who have grown, changed and moved on from where they started. I will always think of 'The Artist in The Ambulance' as one of my favourite records, it is a spectacular hybrid of riffs, passion, depth and emotion. From the first time I saw Thrice in 2003, I was hooked on the stage presence of their front man Dustin Kensrue, plus his style of playing guitar is very similar to mine, very wristy, he is also obsessed with Christmas, also an admirable quality...I digress. Their previous offering 'The Alchemy Index' was an epic 4 EP collection, each ep with a very different feel, all comfortably within their style, but instead of involving somber moments in riff driven songs, the Alchemy Index, separated them out. Fire, Earth, Water and Air were the themes. Fire was heavy and aggressive, Earth was less aggressive and more technical, Water, again more somber and carefully produced and Air was subdued and minimal. The follow up was always going to be difficult, to try and re-incorporate all of these elements back into an album was always going to be a challenge. Against the odds the goods were delivered! It is worth chasing the special edition to get the bonus tracks 'Answered' and 'Helter Skleter', both would have been a happy addition to an otherwise amazing record.

9. Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears - Tell 'Em What Your Name is

As with Seasick Steve Black Joe Lewis is another example of a modern artist capturing an older genre in its prime. This however, is Soul. From the first moment I heard this record, I kept thinking, they should use this guys songs if they ever make another Blues Brothers film (I hope they don't, but you get the idea). Black Joe reminds me a little of James Brown, perhaps a little bit of Cab Calloway, perhaps even a little bit of Ray Charles. Similar to his contemporary Eli Paperboy Reed, a performance on Jools Holland has marked the beginning of his rise to success, simply by performing his songs. I really wish I had got my hands on this record before the summer, it would have been a perfect soundtrack to BBQ's on long summer nights.

10. Frank Turner - Poetry of the Deed

Whilst I don't think of this record perhaps as highly as I do his previous offering 'Love, Ire and Song', I was flicking through my itunes to try and figure out my favourite records of this year and it seems my most played record of this year has is this. Frank Turner has always had a wonderful 'sing about what he see's' approach to song writing, it is written in plain understandable English which is what makes it so addictive. He writes about his life as it is happening, the issues that you deal with as you grow (up) as a person. He deals with the problems and challenges he faces in catharsis, and song is his channeling. I have been quite attached to what Frank has been doing since 'Sleep is for the Weak', despite not being a fan of the Million Dead, perhaps the fact that we were born a few months apart mean that we are facing much the same things? Growing up is a weird thing, and smiling whilst listening to Frank sing songs about it only makes it easier to come to terms with.


Just Bubbling outside my favourites, but I couldn't ignore them:

Madness - The Liberty of Norton Folgate
I am so glad that a new Maddness album exists.

Set Your Goals - This Will Be The Death of Us
Easily as good as Mutiny, but the guest list left me questioning it a little.

Q-Tip - The Renaissance
Another smooth offering

William Elloit Whitmore - Animals In The Dark
I much prefer his stripped down albums, but this is still an amazing slice of country/blue grass/folk.

Chris Wollard and the Ship Thieves - Self Titled
I couldn't mention one Hot Water Music folky spin off without the other. Perhaps more Americana than folk...

Billy Talent - III
Sticking to their guns, another fine offering.

Taking Back Sunday - New Again
Great songs, running order put me off a little, but some really great songs.

The Doublecross - Things Will Never Change
I feel personally invested in this, as I am a guest guitarist, but one of my best friends has produced a fantastic record.

I'll add some links later and maybe a video or 2...
Michael

Monday 2 November 2009

Shirt Designs 2 for 1 special offer (I kid)

A few months (maybe even a year ago) I had a rather random afternoon spent in the company of Mei Lewis (Mission Photographic) and a group of kids (I say kids, I'm just getting older), one dressed like the joker, one dressed like Ryu and about 15 others, little did I know at the time that this was a fledgling Free Running/Par Kour Crew.

I have kept an eye on them as they have gone from strength to strength, but whilst watching Skindred a few weeks back I bump into the crews mouth piece/head honcho Frazer Meek (google that name, his vids are amazing) we got talking about the usual rubbish, and we then happened across some business.

He needed some tshirts designing, and this is where I come in, a chat about designs and a promise of an email lead to these.

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Brief was good, "Go nuts! Can you try and keep the cost down if possible?"

So I tried my best. The first design is halftone heavy one colour print, whats that you say? Details? Ok...

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this design is rather interesting as this is the team shirt, and will probably end up in all manner of colours on all manner of shirts! I can't wait to see what the printers come up with!

The second design is 2 colours this time, and again is heavy on the halftones!

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See? I really like it (Franklin Gothic Bold for you typo nerds), dead simple but big and ****ing bold! Bring it on. This one is for their gym and crew, so will probably come back from the printers much the same.

Sweet
Michael


Links
Fluidity Freerun
South Wales Par Kour

I wish my TV was working...

Well I do! But that is completely irrelevant to design work, photography, music ramblings or anything important for that matter. So back to the plot....

Another poster for Canton Space Project. I liked the format of the last one so much I decided to use it again, I like the other layout, but its nice to mix it up.

So random things that I did in this that I rather enjoyed, using alot of halftones again, but this time using the line form rather that spots, I doubt you will be able to see it unless you zoom in on the larger version, but it made me happy.

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I am going to have to get them to do a run in colour, just to make me happy! I think I might do the next one in colour and then do a black and white version aswell. We shall see.

Few more things to post before bed...
Michael

Links
Larger Version
Toucan Club
Flip Your Wig/Canton Space Project

Thursday 29 October 2009

Regular work rules!!

Here we go again, poster for CSP/Flip Your Wig, this was a really interesting one as I had a different format to play with, as opposed to the split I had a full poster, nice to have an a3 space in portrait, I like portrait!

This was a cool little poster as I was given some freedom to push the Flip Your Wig branding to something a little less bold and more appropriate to what the guys are doing. It's a funny mix as my overall direction was something a little more communist in style, yet keep it funky!

So lots of good things about this bad boy! I really like it, they really like it, what more could you want!

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I've got a few more things to post soon, once I get the ok from the right people, so we ears to the ground.

Getting late.
Michael


Links
Larger Version
Toucan Club
Flip Your Wig/Canton Space Project

Sunday 4 October 2009

Recording studios are great places

So I was in a band a while back and we were lucky enough to get to record with Todd Campbell, great guy does awesome work and is an all round great guy.

This was a challenge as he wanted it to be 'clean, but messy', nice challenge me thinks.

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To keep it clean I tried to avoid to much flashy detailing, like some of my other work and focus on simple, but grimey.

I had to design everything from scratch, layout, logo and details. It was a challenge getting the balance right.

I hope this suits him and does him some justice (and maybe gets him some more business).

Still watching Rocky, ADRIAN...
Michael

Links
Larger Version
Skwad HQ Myspace

Ivan Drago loves posters!

So I'm posting a blog, whilst watching Rocky, hence the title.

Point, stragne things them, another poster for the Toucan Club. This time same info, as the second one, so it is interesting to have to make something different and interesting again, when the details are the same.

I enjoyed this one.

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I like the industrial weirdness of the top image.

Back to work (and Rocky).
Michael

Links
Larger Version
Toucan Club
Flip Your Wig/Canton Space Project

Monday 28 September 2009

Poster round 3

Another one for the Toucan club, I do enjoy these, not alot to say this time, frame work of how client wants the poster is set, now its just down to me to get the art sorted. Meet this weeks offering...

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Short post, but random info for the week, that is a Fisher Price record player!!! I have photos of the flyers and posters from the last night as I haven't seen my work in (live) print for a while, so it makes me smile!

Anyways...
Michael

Links
Larger Version
Toucan Club
Flip Your Wig/Canton Space Project

Sunday 20 September 2009

Poster with less possibilities...

I posted a few poster designs the other day, with no idea which one the client was going to choose, I found out what there decision was and to be totally honest it effected the design of the second poster I have done for them in a massive way!

First time I was uncertain which poster style would be preferred, so did 2, this time knowing I tried my best to throw myself into nailing down the style as they wanted it last time.

Here we go...



Nice to come back and do it again with a clearer vision. I was happy knowing that the output was black and white as it meant I had alot of fun thinking in halftones and different shades of grey!

I will say, always ALWAYS save your work often and at different stages so you don't have to spend an hour rebuilding what you have lost. Yes I am an idiot sometimes!

Sweet times.
Michael

Links
Larger Version
Toucan Club
Flip Your Wig/Canton Space Project

Friday 18 September 2009

Music Ramblings 3

Then and now...

I've been listening to Frank Turner and Chuck Ragan's most recent albums lately, and it dawned on me, I hadn't listened to Million Dead or Hotwatermusic in absolutely ages! But this also got me thinking about the countless artists I love, who have a very different past to their current musical incarnation (yes I have already done this on Rod Stewart, but he went from amazing to awful).

I don't want to bore anyone to death with some sort of history lesson, so I think this will just focus on the "Then and now" approach.

First of Jonah Matranga; I am a bit of an uber-fan so I have to contain myself.

Then: Far



Now: Performing as Onelinedrawing/Jonah Matranga



I've always found the transition from massively influential hardcore band to gentle heartfelt acoustic genius astounding. I have tattoos on my arms that are from a onelinedrawing hoodie.

Eric Scrhody; Once again bit of a fanboy, I have a triple platinum award plaque from his first solo album post House of Pain on my wall.

Then: The House of Pain. (Yes this is the remix, I just prefer it)



Now: Everlast.



So he has evolved from HipHop to acoustic/country with some awesome beats. Great example of an artist growing older with style.

Chuck Ragan; bit of a fan again, don't want to ramble.

Then: HotWaterMusic.



Now: Just playing as Chuck Ragan.



Again a fairly natural transition, there are moments in his solo stuff you can hear HotWaterMusic songs trying to escape. Probably the best punk to country/acoustic transition in my humble opinion.

So far I have hit on heavier to lighter, so now for something a little bit more random. Gabe Saporta...

Then: Midtown.



Now : Cobra Starship.



This one, makes me sad, confused and happy at the same time. I miss Midtown soooo much, their records we the soundtrack to many summers, but I can't shake how much I love this slab of disco pop rock!

I've hit on a few that I really love, but this doesn't mean for one second there aren't countless other examples of people doing one amazing thing and evolving to do something even better. Never ending list starts here (I'm not saying either is better, I'm just stating facts):

Dave Grohl: Nirvana - Foo Fighters
Frank Turner: Million Dead - Solo
Phil Anselmo: Pantera - Down, Superjoint Ritual...
Chris Cornell: Sound Garden - Audioslave
Mike Patton: Faith No More - Fantomas, Mr Bungle, Peeping Tom...
Vinnie Caruana: The Moivelife - I am the Avalanche
Tom DeLonge: Blink 182 - Angels & Airwaves, BoxCarRacer
Kimya Dawson: The Moldy Peaches - Solo
Josh Homme: Kyuss - Queens of the Stone Age

This is a never ending list, and to me it boils down to accepting and hoping that musicians you love will continue to produce/write great songs not matter what form they choose to do it. It is easy to say, "It's not as good as...", but those days are gone, we can accept that, move on and enjoy what they are doing now or, shut up.

Bedtime.
Michael

Random moment of clarity.

I don't know about you, but every now and then when I'm working on something I see something in a form that is a total accident that I think looks amazing. Maybe its an extra layer you didn't modify from earlier? Maybe its change of blending? Could be anything really...

So here we have something that I have been working on (or half of it as you will see later) and I duplicated a layer, turned it off, then an hour later, trying to tidy up my layers, always get messy when I'm working, I turn it back on and the part of the image looked amazing. Or attleast I thought it did.

So here you go, part of something I am working on that happened totally by accident.

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Embrace your mistakes.
Michael

Link
Larger Version

Sunday 13 September 2009

Poster possibilities...

I was given the task of creating a flyer/poster for a night at the Toucan club in Cardiff, the night is (was) a one off special meeting of two existing nights, Flip Your Wig and Batucada Basics.

I was asked to create a split concept poster representing both nights, as always I try and meet my clients wants and maybe do something different as well. This was one of those moments, I had an idea for want I thought was a good idea, so decided to do both what was asked of me and something that wasn't.

First off I did what was asked of me...

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Second off I did what I thought was a good idea...

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I sent both versions in print ready form to the client, I'm not sure which one they are going to use so the excitement can begin. I hope they choose the second one. I'm going to the night, so I'm sure I will find out!

Roll on the Fun
Michael

Links
Larger Version
Toucan Club
Batucada Basics
Flip Your Wig/Canton Space Project

Wednesday 2 September 2009

Myspace time again....

So August must have seemed incredibly quiet, on the contrary! August was busy as sin, I've just been waiting for loads of things to get finalised and get live, on top of the fact that I have a job that I have started that involved signing a confidentiality agreement, a non-disclosure agreement and some other form I can't remember the name of that I had to sign! Also I have recently (anyone who has followed my twitter for the last week will know that) been working on making powerpoint presentation. Harder than it sounds, well actually it's easy to make a rubbish one, we've all seen them, but it is difficult to make sweet looking one that works. Rant over, plot.

I was in a band, and we developed a fan, she was great, came to most of our shows, supported us loads and then after a year or so ago, she started her own band! Her name is Sam, she is awesome.

To have the opportunity to do something cool for someone who always supported me, has left me with a big ole smile on my face!

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you Cowboy and the Corpse.

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There is a massive list of photographers I should link, but I find their info right now, so I will add it later.

Peace out
Michael

Links
Larger Version
Cowboy and the Corpse Myspace

Wednesday 29 July 2009

Music Ramblings 2

With the sad lose to the music industry recently, that being the untimely death of Michael Jackson, I had a conversation with a friend who is only 20 about the fact that she barely remembers Michael Jackson as anything other than "a bit of a weirdo". At the ripe old age of 27, I am lucky enough to remember Jackson during his good years as "The King of Pop", I was lucky enough to see him in 1992 on the Dangerous tour, but I am digressing slightly...

This got me thinking about acts and performers who have had a strong past that is now slightly, if not entirely forgotten. After watching a documentary on BBC4 I was reminded about "The Faces", and the past that Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart shared (obviously post their time in the Jeff Beck Band) in this wonderful band.

Ronnie Wood, mainly thought of now as a rehab regular and his place in the Rolling Stones (1975 onwards), he hasn't changed much over the years... And then there is Rod Stewart, where do I start with this man? It is hard for me to think of him as anything other than a dodgy hair cut, leather skin/trousered warbler who drives the (not so young any more) ladies wild!

Seriously now, Ronnie Wood, is a rocker through and through, but Mr Rod Stewart, I can not shake solo "hits" (just because they were a success doesn't make them good) like "Have I told you lately" and him belting out "I am Sailing...." So here we are at my point of comparison, Jacko, truely amazing past, sketchy end (hopefully the last songs will be strong). Rod Stewart, awesome past, presently crooning his life away, trying to hang on to his rock 'n' roll past!

But when you look back to Stewarts time with the Faces, you are faced with one of the best examples of British 70's rock! So I offer you the Faces in their prime, when Rod still rocked...

From the album "A nod's as good as a wink...to a blind horse"



Also check out the lyrics to Borstal Boys...

"Cell block five, how I hate Bromide
With your coffee in the morning makes you so sterile
The corner gang never made a man of me boys
You know the walls are taller and the inmates scheme
There's no one here that's more than seventeen
Bet your life there's a riot tonight in the mess hall
A letter from your home town makes you sad
You read it when the warden's had a second laugh
He said sentimental rubbish ain't got no place in here boy
See the years roll on by
such a senseless waste of time
What a way to reform
Call out your number
who's a nonconformer
Shakey Brown didn't hang around
When a Molotov didn't do its stuff
He went back in there and said it with a sawed-off shotgun
You know Poker Sam couldn't lose a hand
If he did you was hit by a downtown tram
Or crushed in the path of a moving elevator
See the years roll on by
such a senseless waste of time
What a way to reform
Call out your number
who's a nonconformer
When I get out I'll get straight
If this old world gives me half a break
But, if you see me in the corner with a chip on my shoulder
Don't blame me"

Time to sleep.
Michael

Tuesday 28 July 2009

Myspace myspace myspace

This was a sick little project! Having had a conversation with the guitarist, Dan, he told me to go nuts and do whatever I wanted! AND he meant it, placed complete trust in me and safe to say it was a brief but happy client designer relationship!

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I was really happy with 2 things on this, the profile image overlay was cool as beans and worked really well, and I locked the background image to the bottom of the screen, this was a cool little style quirk!

I also made a logo...

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that is on their bigcartel, and hopefully is going to be a shirt design in the near future!

Credit for the skull logo and background scribbles has to go to Daniel Lanzenby and photo credit it (once again) Mei Lewis @ Mission Photographic!

Safes!
Michael

Links
Circa Regna Tonat Myspace
Circa Regna Tonat Big Cartel
Daniel Lazenby
Mission Photographic

Thursday 23 July 2009

Beginning stages

Well hopefully, I designed this logo and I haven't heard back so no links yet. but I like the logo, sooo, I'm going to post it anyways!

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I hope they like it! I want to do the rest of the work that will end up going with it as I have a strange love affair with Rock n Roll, and it would be awesome to get so pin striping style on the go!

Bring it on!
Michael

Links
Larger Version

Random thing

This was random job via a friend, I had to sample a google map and then build a custom version of it, because the client didn't want to just use a google map! So 4 hours sat infront of illustrator turned this...

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into this...

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It's really was a daunting little prospect as it to ages to do and is was kinda like doing a jigsaw!!

Safe-ness
Michael

Links
Larger Versions

Tuesday 14 July 2009

Myspace for some old friends!

I have been working on this little beast for a while, it has been cool as I was given plenty of freedom by the guys! Always welcome...

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Well this is a nice one for me personally as I go way back with the Haddonfield boys and this is an important moment in giving them a fresh start with their new drummer, I am really glad I could be part of it! I am honestly wishing them the best of luck, bring on the new tunes and tour!

Peace out
Michael

Links
Haddonfield Myspace
Larger Version

Tuesday 9 June 2009

CD cover!

Well here it is, this now I think about it has been going on for the better part of 6 weeks! I can hardly believe that, from first email to now, 6 weeks. Not a reflection on my work rate I must state right now, a reflection on the process that has gone into getting this absolutely bloody perfect!

So where do I start?

1. Logo

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This was not my design originally, I had to re adapt what they had, clean it up and change it a bit to make it more personal to them. I'm not going to post the old logo, but this is an improvement.

2. CD Cover, I've posted a mock up of it and I've posted the actual artwork, I've left the printer markers on there, don't worry if you haven't seen them before, they are good things.

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Mock up, I hope it comes out like this...

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Front cover and inside page.

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Inside pages, functional, this was a real lesson in InDesign, getting it all sorted.

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Back, I do like how this came out.

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Inside tray, nothing crazy.

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On body.

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And a letterhead for press mailouts.

This has been an epic project, including the myspace layout. I'm really glad I can post this now so it can be seen in all its glory. I can not wait to get this back from the printers.

Much respect and love to Mei Lewis @ Mission Photographic for his obvious, and amazing contributions to this.

Nice feeling, I can actually concentrate on something else now!

Love to y'all.
Michael

Links
Zenyth Myspace
Larger Version
Mission Photographic