cristina... Default Font / Stereotypes vs Antitype

Thank you all for the collaboration in the blog. I think I got where I wanted now but I still have two different but similar ideas going on and on in my head related what i have explained before in the blog.

First idea: my aim is to design myself the "default" font. That is a font that you can use for every design. Therefore it would have, instead of the typical bold, italics,etc., a great deal of possibilities from sophisticated, elegant, beautiful to punched, cut off, messy, etc. So that you can adapt it for all your designs (a heavy metal band or a fashion magazine).
Besides, I would show examples of designs (one per category)

The other idea: to put together 2 opposites: stereotypes and anti-types (the word anti-types means there's no different "types"/kinds of design, annihilating every category that we can find -like the "list" mentioned before-). So it would be a visual representation of what it would be, "design" with just one possibility or design as it really is, with all its richness. So no design and design, to show the importance of our career.
This could take the form of a book with two covers -the back and the front- that you need to turn over in order to read/see one or the other. One side would be really boring and the other one really rich (antitypes and stereotypes).

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Aleister Kelman: Susannah Katz

• My project will require that I engross myself in the psyche of the female consumer and that I engage totally with their considerations, wants and needs

• I will be designing, from scratch, the look and feel of a lingerie designer at the limited edition/ exclusive end of the market, including identity, photography, look book and online interface

• Working closely with my client I am looking to create a new graphic that is mindful of obvious points of reference such as Agent Provocateur and avoids stereotypes, in terms of male gaze, domination et al.

[Two more bullet points to be added tomorrow afternoon pertaining to market research and seasonal design but need a little more info to get these down... got some quite cool stuff to say about research on the web interface after a discussion tonight.]

Ivy Amoah

1. Through the eyes of a child
I’m thinking of doing something that I would love doing, something to do with (surprise surprise) kids. The idea is to ask 50 (maybe less or more) children of what they would do if they were a final year student at Chelsea and then collaborate with these children and produce all the work they propose. It could be 'the 11 year old Chelsea student's portfolio'

2.101 uses for a single object
This idea is to look at household objects that we often regard as insignificant and find out other uses for it. For example what else can one do with a 'garlic crasher'?. This could take form in a book format like the '40 fact you wanted to know about Chelsea...' prospectus?
Does anyone think this is worth a 14week FMP?
Feedback would be most appreciated

Teresa- Final Project Idea

I would like to relate my FMP to my dissertation theme, which was the physical relations within urban communities through printed matter and self publication, and how the tactility and physicality of these objects and the particular ways in which they're created and passed around are bound to bring people together in a humanized, creative, de-alienated environment. It also highlighted the importance of being physically involved with the creation of one's one "entertaining objects". I would like to base my final project around the relation of the handmade and craft with contemporary forms of communication (blogs, sms, chat-rooms, etc).
I'm not sure what the outcome would be, but i would like it to be print-based, as it seems appropriate to explore the tactile qualities of paper for this subject, and also because it is compatible with the direction i would like to take in my portfolio of work.

Final Project Idea - Karina

I have been posting different ideas for the last couple of days and tried to narrow down the list of all the ideas I had, just to see what someone else thinks, so thanks for your comments guys.

Finally I have two ideas; I hope I can develop one of them into a project…

Point of view
The idea is to look through someone else’s eyes, for example a cat or a dog and see how pets see everyday life and maybe even guess what they think! I am very interested in this because I always wondered what, for example home pets think about their masters. Pets we love and cherish, what their life is like? Obviously this topic has been talked about and been discussed before, but I think it is very challenging to try to express it visually. My plan is to observe the life of several pets in a period of time, trying to catch the emotions and feelings of every aspect of their lives. The outcome will be something difficult to decide on, because there are so many books about pets’ lives, for example ‘The Dog Day Book’ and so on, but I am going to concentrate more on the idea, and try to convey the result of my research to the viewers.

Past Life CV
The idea is to write a CV for some iconic people, historical heroes, such as the King Henry VIII, Marilyn Monroe (thanks Christine), William Shakespeare, Alfred Hitchcock even maybe. And try to send it out and see if they get invited for a job interview, like a historical job hunt. The CVs will be written based on characters’ profiles. The final outcome can be anything from visual representation of the made up CVs, to represent the idea of how the past works with the future, and if such iconic personalities could survive in our time.

another idea! - Stephanie

Sometimes road signs can be tricky. U're in the car, faced with a road sign and you have no clue what it means. Some are over-complicated, unclear, you can't even guess because you might end up in an accident, more or less violent.

I want to re-make the road signs, but easier to understand. Signs that you won't need to study beforehand to know what it actually means, you just see it and get it.

Updates from Juliana Davies

I’ve taken Michelle’s and Aleister’s lead and created my blog space to post everything relate to my FMP – After this update, I will post new info on my blog!
http://www.jdaviesfmp.blogspot.com/

The brief:

To work with the young and talented British jazz singer Giorgia Mancio, she has a new album to be released this summer with no record label – I will produce (up to now):

• At least 1 video-clip
• Promotional package
• Album cover
• Poster

I am still negotiating with her what she needs/wants – and how / what is the best way to promote her new album, so the above products may change (for more!).

If anyone is interested Giorgia Manicio’s site is: http://www.georgiamancio.com/
And if you go to "CD samples" you can listen to 30sec excerpts from 3 different songs.

Oliver Simpson - Soul House

This project concerns communication with the dead.

Almost every culture has strong relations with ancestors and spirits and our multicultural society provides ample material for this purpose. However, in London we remain strangely disconnected from the spiritual world.

I would like simply to provide shelter for homeless spirits in the form of small structures. Form and ornamentation will be well considered and will be adapted to reflect contemporary values - although the meaning will be universal.

This is not a morbid evocation of death, rather a celebration of common human experience.

I am enchanted by the marvellous collection of artefacts housed by the British Museum in its 'life and death' exhibit, sponsored by the Welcome Trust. They have written,

People around the world seek well-being for themselves and for their communities in many different ways.These differing approaches reflect the ways they understand their world. Some people see well-being in terms of the individual and the body. Others think of it at the level of the community, requiring the maintenance of important relationships. These relationships might be with other people, animals, spirits or the earth.

Shortened Version / Less Waffle - Joanne

This project will attempt to push the boundaries of the static print ad in using the advantages the Internet, interactivity and moving image gives over the traditional format. Building upon my thesis that discusses the cultural production of fashion, it would center around the relationship graphics/fine art methods has to fashion media and the artistic capital gained in the interaction between the two. The project would involve creating an interactive piece with potential movie clips, photos and added extras that will explore the differing ways of propagating a brand with a narrative. It would show skill sets that pertain to the area of design I’d like to continue in such as art direction, production, set design, moving image and interactivity-based skills and corresponds with the work I’ve been doing as a research assistant for the Fashion in Film Festival.

http://www.fashioninfilm.com/

More than an Ad - Joanne

This project would attempt to further progress the sorry state of online ads and make use of the advantages the internet and moving image gives over traditional static fashion print ads. Building upon my thesis that discusses the cultural production of fashion, it would center around the relationship graphics/fine art methods has to fashion media. In using the language of the fine art world and showing this through graphics, the fashion world gains intellectual and artistic capital that makes the brand/clothing more desirable, as well as showcasing that particular brand’s ethos and ideas. This project would add to that as well as also injecting some fun and experimentation into an otherwise commercial, somewhat stoic format.
This more commercially viable (if accepted would try to secure live client if possible…) project would involve creating a moving image/interactive online ‘ad experience’, exploring differing ways of propagating a specific brand and its image. I need to think more about what exactly what would be done, but am thinking along the line of a series of clips that play when rolled over, introducing a stronger narrative to an ad and showing clothing as it’s mean to be- with movement.

Whilst fashion and moving image have long enjoyed a mutually beneficial friendship, I think it can be taken to the next level in creating something online and interactive that is not simply a translation of a static print ad. It would show skill sets that pertain to the area of design I’d like to continue in such as art direction, production, set design, moving image and web-based skills (although might need outside help with the last one..!) and corresponds with the work I’ve been doing as a research assistant for the Fashion in Film Festival.

http://www.fashioninfilm.com/

Ever wandered into the kitchen and felt like you're missing something? Well i can tell you what it is. It's a baguette bread bin. Yes, a bread bin specially designed to hold that wonderful export, le french stick. Similar in style and design of a normal bread bin, but about a metre wide, ''the baguette bin'' will add class and functionality to your kitchen. In fact a whole host of baguette implements can be added to compliment your new purchase; a knife (with a blade a metre long so you can cut your baguette lengthways) to the design of your entire kitchen...

Is this person being serious? No

Rationale? Errr...

Is it a toy/game/kit/anything HUGE/or angst ridden? No

Chances of this being passed as a FMP? None

Chances of Geoff exclaiming ''genius''! Zilch

Possibility of raising a smile fom all you fellow 'can't think of a FMP' students? Fair/middling

Just having a laugh? Yes!

Karina - more ideas...

Thanks everyone for your comments, I picked up some of your ideas guys, so I'm going to develop it from here.

Observation
Someone recommended me to look at ways of becoming anonymous in the city in light of oyster cards, ID cards etc. I found it very helpful; it gave me some good ideas about visual outcome.

Past Life
Someone wrote something about past life cv. It would be really intriguing to produce something like that.

My other idea was about - looking through other point of view – for example through someone else’s eyes, i.e. cats.(see image above - these are the first pictures from an extraordinary experiment which has probed what it is like to look through the eyes of another creature.)

This idea somehow links with observation and past life, something about reincarnation. I would really like to see how, for example, cats see our world.

Updates from Aleister

NB: I've taken Michelle's lead and created a blog devoted to my project so I don't end up spamming the concepts blog with my progress. After this update all info on my project will be moving to http://www.luxurylingerie.blogspot.com/

===============

Over the last week I've been working on turning the brief in to something with tangible outcomes. The major challenge, that both Geoff and my client (Susannah Katz) have identified, is the built-in Agent Provocateur flaw. There is also another subtlety we've looked at that is the idea of the woman feeling great in herself for having a Susannah Katz garment... so great it doesn't matter if anyone knows if she is wearing one or not. This is quite a discreet theme and it needs to be met in the graphic. I think I described it poorly with my La Senza analogy on Thursday, but hopefully it is clear now.

Next thing is what Susannah actually needs. This is:

1. Brand
At present no branding exists and up to this point the lingerie has run on it's own steam - word of mouth, showing samples to boutiques. This means I will be looking at logo, colour, typeface and overall identity.

2. Look-book
Not a catalogue as such, but more a portfolio whose function will be to get the garments in to boutiques. A buyer should look through this book and end up with no doubt in their mind that they want to stock Susannah. This means high class production values. I've had some samples from printers already as this will be the biggest strain on the budget and needs to be planned well.

3. Website
Needs to match the look-book in terms of quality and luxury feel but will be aimed more toward customers than suppliers. One end of the business is bespoke garments so for example we're thinking about the facility for a user to enter in their measurements and get pricing etc. Not an online shop but a gateway for customers to see the ranges, fall in love with them and get in touch.

4. Extras
Business cards and tags/labels will go toward informing the entire package.

5. Content
The juiciest part of the project is the fact that the content needs to be created, so I will be art directing the photo shoots and assisting with the copy. We've gone some way toward breaking the photography down in to logistics:

• Photographers: we have four photographers on standby who have agreed to shoot with us (one of which is our own Valentine).
• Models: this is crucial. With the Agent Provocateur flaw in mind, and the aims of Susannah to cater for all shapes, we require various body types: large and voluptuous, petite and straight, athletic and broad, pear shaped and short. So far we've filled two of these criteria. The models are having expenses paid and they keep the garments, which will be tailored specifically for them, at the end of the project. Any girls on GD Com want to apply?
• Our overall motive is: fun, happy, lively, confident girls looking great and smiling like they mean it. No moody, dark, voyeuristic or wistful stuff.
• Venues: two types of photo shoot firstly in the Chelsea studios, clean, elegant shots that show the product in a functional sense, and secondly, on location where the emphasis is on mood and feel. We're currently working on venues to approach, but nothing solid to say as of yet.
• Press: some kind of press toward the end of the project would be great. I know a PR agent who handles companies like Jas M. B, Missoni, Dinny Hall etc and I'm hoping he will do us a favour and get Susannah in to an issue of Harpers or similar.

Thats it for now, sorry for the massive post. I would be extremely grateful for any useful leads or people to contact!

Lets Love

I want to make a giant teddy bear because I think it'll look really nice. People can be so mean nowadays so the teddy bear will represent that we should all love one another.

Karina - 'Observation' idea

I have posted one more idea before, but I don't think I fully developed it at this stage. So I also had another idea, I was on the bus the other day and I looked from the window and noticed people on the street in a rush hour, and I found it very interesting to just observe people from the side, see what they wearing, if they in a hurry or just walking slowly and who they with. And I tried to guess who these people are what they like. I found it very fascinating. So maybe this can be the core of my project idea.

Tara Hughes

Having received some positive feedback on my initial theme of Schadenfreude (the pleasure derived from the misfortune of another), I've thought about more intelligable yet practical outcomes;

1. Whilst I think mundane, everyday experiences of Schadenfreude are interesting on an observational level, I'm thinking more about the current climate whereby the media actively encourage us to feel the tabooed emotion - especially the downfall of celebs and those high in power or authority. I've thought of producing an outcome that highlights this media influence and social comment in a non-preachy, heavy way. Therefore, an alternative method of re-telling a glossy, over-hyped celeb scandal would be to present it in monochrome within a zoetrope - this also comments on the shift from what was considered innocent, traditional, family entertainment to how we get our kicks today.

Not to infringe on other students' 'all things enormous' idea, the zoetrope itself would have most effect and a heightened relation to the viewer if it were to human scale. One piece would be constructed with many graphic strips of the embarrassing misfortunes (mentioned in my first blog) available to slot in.

Considering the scale of the piece and the fact that it would be positioned in various locations in the city (particularly squares, as almost circus/freakshow events) they would invite the 'Ultimate opportunity for schadenfreude' as the public would be in control of their movement. Without their participation, the scandals/misfortunes would not unfold and so again it plays with the idea of temptation.
Perhaps the whole motive could be to take the stigma out of an emotion we all feel but deny to exist. Making the experience so public could take it from being a guilty pleasure, to one of accepted celebration.

2. The opposite of a celebrated pleasure would be in considering Schadenfreude as a guilty pleasure. Therefore, perhaps the above idea would work on the complete opposite scale of being a miniature zoetrope which could be a portable device to sneekingly lift one's spirits, boost an ego, or gain a malicious kick or laugh?
Almost like a designed toy (but in a light-hearted tone) packaging would also be considered.

3. In thinking of possible photographic outcomes, and considering that one reason for Schadenfreude is jealousy, I thought of a more commercial or fashion angle, in that often we might feel the emotion because we want something another has. A possible outcome to this notion could be a photoshoot for an edgy, attitude ridden
clothing brand where for example beautiful models in 'to die-for' clothes are seen getting such comeuppances as being drenched by a taxi passing through a puddle.
The aim would be to highlight the competetive aspect of living in a city where we like to see the downfall of those we feel are doing better than ourselves.

4. Finally, thinking back to the analogy of Schadenfreude as a guilty pleasure, I thought of isolating this term and finding out exactly what people in London are ashamed to admit to loving or owning. As a nosey person I'm always intrigued to know what people have hidden under their beds, in their bottom drawers and hide away when they are expecting visitors.
The idea would be to advertise for a 'Guilty Pleasures amnesty' where the public would hand in all their embarrassing and cringe-worthy objects, clothes, ornaments and nerdy collections. With a strong interest in photography, I would aim to photograph the objects hoping to catch them in their 'best light'and find some glimmer of attractiveness or purpose.

David Roberts FMP Idea

I have a really strong fascination with the idea of being a 'Renaissance Man'. I wrote my dissertation on the subject of whether Digital technology could bring back the Renaissance Ideal in which people were expected to become well-rounded individuals and were expected to have a skills base in Art, Music, literature, science & maths and many more areas of expertise. I would like to somehow build a project through somehow actually becoming a well-rounded individual in the short time of the project. Maybe a diary of having to learn a new subject a day and then taking a 'Renaissance Man' test at the end. Maybe Frank could set the subjects and the test.

I know the idea of doing something new every day is very similiar to Melissa's idea so I'd really appreciate any better suggestions. thanks.

Afro Hair- Kanika Adele A.

Afro hair can Be very hard to maintain and a lot of time and money is spent getting new hairstyles or buying products to upkeep a style.

I am especially interested in how much effort and the trials and tribulations of having afro hair andthe cost and time spent.

The wheather also plays a major part concerning afro hair and many women try and avoid getting caught in bad wheather conditions in order to keep their hair in tact!

this project will be different to my response to the water brief as i will fully indulge myself!

Alex Woodcock FMP

The indie rock band haunts have a very strong almost theatrical approach to their visual representation, and as such is an integral part of tha bands package. I will be doing a live brief designing all the visuals for the forthcoming campaign. This will include the first single artwork, which is set as a limited edition run of 500 vinyl, with high production values and a good budget. Also I will be designing the merchandise which will be sold on their uk tour in support of this release. On top of this I will be looking to design the next following single art work, aswell as photoshoots, e-cards websites and perhaps even video. All aspects of this campaign must all tie in together and work cohesively as one theme. All items are set for a full uk release in shops.

Mary Bogatcheva

The Death of the Cigarette.
With July the 1st coming up, putting an end on smoking in public places, there is a risk of a commercial and social damage that may be done by the ban. I wonder if a project could stem from this, the fact that 'social smoking' will no longer exist, how hard smokers will find not being able to enjoy one with a beverage and general pros & cons.

2nd idea: Not sure about this one as it may involve celebrities and nothing can really beat Michelle's project.
I've always liked the idea of d-list celebrities, how vain or potentially interesting they can seem. I have thought of contacting celebrity agents and generate a live project from them based on someone as silly as Jack Tweedy (Jade Goody's boyfriend). Not sure what the outcome may be at this stage yet.

Samantha Dunsmore FMP

My proposal to create a brochure to market a property is a live project. It is working through Averys Property Consultants, with the property developer/interior designer of a house that is located in Belgravia. The house will be fully completed within the next 3-4 weeks.

I feel photography is my strength and that this would be a great opportunity to have a great piece of work in my portfolio that combines photography with my graphic design skills.

The specification of the house is extensive and the client extremely meticulous so it won’t be plain sailing but challenging enough to create a body of work that is fitting as a final project.

Cristina Pais - More type...

I want to follow the theme for my thesis about brands and personalities. My conclusion was that we don't buy products but brands -those that make us feel identified with as they were given personalities-. The most successful ones have a strong corporate identity and this is given in part by the choices the designer make to fit the brand with a personality and catch the audience that they are after.

Then graphics, and typefaces, have personalities. Think of the logo for Molton Brown, Tiscali or Miss Selfridge -the fonts they use are not interchangeable because they would get a completely different identity and therefore it would be confusing to try to fit that with the whole idea of the company. It would be like the "antitype".

That's my point.

Based on that (i hope not too confusing) I will design possibly 10 different typefaces with completely different personalities that i could interchange later on in different designs/layouts/publicity posters?? to show my point.

Sorry, im not sure about the outcome yet.

Hungchi

I have been thinking about evolutional changes, how things look similar but they are slightly different to each other as they are in different generations. We keep seeing things which have been done in the past, but when we see it again in different generation, it represent in a way that will suddenly make it seem unfamiliar. It is possible when you take into account the fact that today everything that springs from the imagination can be experienced as virtual reality through computer technology.

Instead of moving forward with technology, I want to take this opportunity to take a step back and explore ways of communications between now and the past! Do we actually get the historical information by discovering fossil, looking at Ancient Egyptian wall painting, and finding even more terracotta army? Those are the evidences of our history. Everything is too digitalizing in this generation, we rarely have any physical objects representing us. Therefore I possibly am producing some kind of fossil representing objects, things, or faces in this generation…
I know this is not a history project but would be great if I can get some feedback from anyone!

F.P.idea - Karina

My other idea for F.P. is about Past Life. It's actually very interesting, check this link http://www.thebigview.com/pastlife/
The idea came up to me before when I wanted to find out if I had any extra skills and backgrounds. It is just a small idea but I might be able to develop it into a project.

Gashapon Icons - Joanna Zhou

Summary:

• Introduce ‘gashapon machines’ into UK vocabulary and culture.

• Highlight the increasing influence of Japanese culture in western countries and the novelty or alienation it entails.

• Outline the functionality of gashapon machines (collectable item sets for children and adults).

• Explore the notion of collecting objects in order to create a sense of purpose and belonging.

• Design and make sets of gashapon which reinforce personal identity within cultural (or graphic?) contexts.

My FMP is based upon the gashapon machine. These Japanese vending machines have suddenly emerged in many European cities within the past few years, creating a highly visible icon of global culture. In Japan, gashapon machines enjoy a cult status because they dispense collectable sets of toys or novelty items which are extremely popular with all age groups (not just children). My aim is to explore the human obsession for collecting things and how this creates a sense of purpose and identity.

The location, content and functionality of a gashapon machine make these urges particularly acute, thus I plan to place several in the degree show to tempt visitors into collecting a slice (or more) of Chelsea! The exact contents are yet to be decided though I'm leaning towards themes of culture and/or graphics. In Japan, gashapon machines always contain things relevant to their environment (machines in a red-light district will actually dispense vibrators and thongs), so it seems appropriate, albeit slightly obvious, to link one in a degree show with design.

Religious ID

Above: Jesus fancy dress costume on sale near Vatican
I kept this article for a while now, made me laugh because ironically it reminded me how bizarre religious identity has become. No hijab, no crucifix, no kirpans...an issue which has affected me directly. No win situation - Is religious identity on the verge of extinction?! Looks like we’re only going to be seeing Jesus on Halloween...! Ravi

New Concept- Stephanie

Perfect Chelsea Student Body

I will ask current chelsea students (from Foundation to 3rd years) what is, in their opinion, their best feature of their body?
Then regroup each features and reconstruting a BOY and GIRL VERSION (maybe mannequins)to make ¨the perfect chelsea student body¨.

New Idea for F.P. - Karina

What do people mean when they say they live 'normal life'? Is it having an expensive car or getting married and live in a big house? What standard life is? I am not trying to be philosophical here but the main point I'm trying to get across is what things do we need to have or to do to have a ‘full set’?
This typographic poster by Michael Johnson gave me an idea for my Final Project. This is a tongue-in check guide to the career of a graphic designer aimed at students. Like this poster, I want to build some sort of a guide to explore the notion of what is needed for having a ‘normal life’. To be clear, I’m not sure about the final outcome yet but the idea is to see what we need to live a normal, full life.

Process as an end result in itself- Joanne

This project would aim to show that the way something is produced can be more valid than the end result in simply conjuring a stylish end piece (as is often the case with photoshop/illustrator programs etc). This project would revolve around making the process visual and making it the most important and attractive part of the ‘product’.

Not sure of what the outcomes would be but some initial thoughts:

Programming Code/ action script- typeset or photo- etched- creating a jarring hybrid of the two.
Recording somehow the process used to create a piece of design and exhibiting that next to the finished piece to show the beauty of process and how it can eclipse the original work.
Creating something digital that incorporates the ‘lost’ aspects of analogue processes.

This analogue/digital debate is one that I feel will continue to have repercussions in the design world for a long time to come…Whilst I don’t believe in a luddite attitude that technological progression is bad, I do think that the important aspects of process have been lost in favour of convenience and speed. As a result, Graphic Design has become obsessed with the temporary and becomes superficial.
Sometimes the route taken is more interesting than the end destination.

Olga Ilyasova

My idea is to produce a series of life size Russia dolls which will feature all my work from 3 yeasr at universaty. I want them to look like real Russian dolls, so i want to stylize my work in a Hohloma style, which is traditionaly used to colour dolls.

Michelle Griffiths

Space in House of Fraser I can do what I want with-includes back wall, entrance area, booth on left and corrider walls which goes round to the left

98 projects in 98 days- Melissa, New Project

I hope to produce 98 projects (one for each day of the 14 weeks)- ranging from the sophisticated to the silly.

I will document the progress of work and create a visual timeline to accompany the projects themselves.

Restoration of the Analogue (Kim Vousden)

The qualities and tactile nature of analogue print processes have become overlooked with the onset of the digital revolution. Perhaps this is why the St Bride Institute, based in Fleet Street, has become somewhat underfunded and neglected by contemporary print design. With 7 million pounds needed for the restoration of the building and its facilities, I propose a final outcome that both raises the profile of the Library and the general appreciation for the tangibility that printing has to offer.

Within a meeting with Nigel Roche from the St Bride Library, it was made clear that he is very keen to involve me within the funding of building work hopefully -commencing in 2008. Regarding this he appreciates that while I will work closely with the library that my actual project should be confined and restricted as little as possible, however my response must be in collaboration with how the library wishes to be represented. I propose using a graphic outcome that will capture the qualities of the analogue process; while raising funding for the library...be it a short addition of sellable books or posters, merchandise etc.

Finally, in the pursuit of funding the Library intends to set up an American branch of the 'Friends of St Brides'. Promotional material is needed here to encourage interest in its cause and Nigel is keen to involve me in this also.








Bullet Points for Thursday

- Begin stating my passion for tactile print in evermore digitized environment

- Explain that I want to hold an exhibition posing the question of the relevance/richness of tactile print in contrast with our evermore digitized environment.

-This exhibition will be held at the St Bride Institute, it's own plight of renovation or closure suggesting a general feel that analogue print processes have little to offer contemporary design.

- Spoke with Nigel Roche on Tuesday 20Th Feb, eager for me to be fully involved with committee; interested in incorporating American Branch of the "Friends of St Bride's" to provoke interest.

- Designers/enthusiasts will be approached to submit work/statements that best portray this and why they think the library is a valuable resource; They will be asked to offer work (perhaps inspired or researched using the libraries resources) and editorial that reflect their passion for analogue print. People such as: Alan Kitching, Derek Birdsall etc

- Promotional Material to be designed and 'printed' by myself for the event. Proceeds given to the libraries £7 million pound renovation project. Further promotions i.e newspapers, radio stations etc will be needed to generate interest. Separate online website is a possibility. Special blog site set up posing the question, 'Is the St Bride Library and what it stand for still relevant today?'

St Bride Library (Pre-Renovation)
AIGA Walker Art Center Brochure (Below)

Sean Gall

I plan to build a life size fully working tin robot with a television screen in its chest. It may have similar slides to the toys shown on its chest (they were usually images of space-scapes )or it may be used to display other peoples work? It will also be accompanied with a full size cardboard box in which it could be contained. This object is linked with my dissertation subject.

Alex Kirmitsis - Board Game

My initial idea is to design a brand new board game. I am not yet sure about the rules of this new game, but the project will contain the design of a complete board game, including currency (if any), board, figurines, rule book, box etc. I am trying to think of a contemporary theme, although i'm sure it will come eventually :)

Fight to the Death/ Multi-project Project- Joanne

Fight to the Death

As aforementioned, this piece would be staging a fight (be it mudwrestling, boxing etc) between two factions: art and design with its long history of animosity and tension. Perhaps two subgenres of design for example, digital vs analogue print processes. Two clothing brands or the four main colleges of UAL battling it out supremacy. (wimbledon doesnt even qualify..!)
This calls into question the compartmentalisation of creativity into distinct genres by education and the tension this causes. The fighting would be the manifestation of these tensions and make issues that are increasingly hidden under the carpet, real and very much ‘in-yer-face’. Also serves as a commentary on the English culture of not causing a fuss.
Still some issues to iron out; whether event would be 'live' or staged beforehand.
Outcomes would be actual event, 'graphic' accompanying book of photos, interviews with fighters etc. 'Fine art' outcome being perhaps edited footage of the fight, again raising the issue of genre in the outcomes of the fight (photography- graphic or fine art?Video- graphic or fine art?).


The Multi-project Project

Stemming from the recent anxiety of having to define oneself and practice in one singular project, this idea would take that notion and subvert it to incorporate numerous ideas into one piece. Instead of simply choosing one project, this idea would be a book or extremely large, long list of ideas for projects I’ve had. Lists of ideas in general: things I’ve always thought about doing but never got around to it, potential ideas for this project and other past projects etc… This list/inventory/book would be given out both at the show and months beforehand splitting the outcome into two; both the book of ideas for other people to use and ‘poach’ and perhaps a website displaying pieces of work by other people that have been born of an idea from my list.

This calls into question the notions of intellectual property and whether or not an idea can be truly original, as well as the weakness of the industry in tending to pidgeon-hole designers through seeing one work as well as the compartmentalisation of creativity.
It also confronts, through the relinquishing of control I have over the outcome to other people, the notion of designers as being picky and detail-obsessed (kerning being the ultimate example) artists that exert complete control over their work. Outcomes could be graphic, fine art-based or something else, reinforcing the general cross-disciplinary theme of my work thus far.

Mary Bogatcheva

‘Eeeerrrmmmmm……’

For people who struggle at making decisions on a daily basis, as well as in life, (such as myself) my initial proposal is to create a system where this can be fought and dealt with.

It’s getting hot in here, so take off all your…
‘Global Warming’

(Not trying to save the world, but…) This is a contemporary issue that interests me and I am interested to raise more awareness through a project with possible collaborations from organisations fighting it, such as Climate Ark/Greenpeace.

Drawing upon my thesis, “How are changes in television viewing habits, such as time-shifting and advert skipping, altering the way advertising is produced for TV?” I propose to create an outcome relating to the fact that less people are motivated and influenced by Television advertising and marketing.

Tara Hughes

1. One word borrows another
Urban poetry

The proposal is to produce a collection of contemporary poems
constructed through the interaction of the thoughts, ideas
and feelings of my local community as they walk through
the public space of a subway.

Running along the walls of each underpass would be a strip
containing 25 writing panels for passers-by to write upon.
In creating an interaction of thoughts between strangers,
each person would 'borrow' up to 3 words from the previous
sentence, then cover these words with coloured strips and
carry them over to construct a new sentence. For example;

One WORD borrows another
The repetition of a WORD connects one line to the next

By the end, a running dialogue would form an urban poem.
To assist in the project, I would hope to get on side the
Camberwell based arts organisation 'Creative Routes' who
help to provide a creative outlet for people with mental
health issues. The intention is that people from their
creative writing group will want to collaborate with the
project.

The final aim is to produce a community led poetry book
encouraging social interaction and creative expression.


2. Shadenfreude
DO NOT FLICK

Schadenfreude is a pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.
The emotion is considered much of a taboo whilst the media consistently
offers us opportunities to feel it eg. watching humiliating tasks
on reality TV shows, reading scandelous exploits in the tabloids
and relishing in embarrassing snaps of celebs in women's magazines.

Looking toward the idea of temptation within the theme and in particular
the influence of weekly women's mags, the project proposal is to produce
life-size flick books of the current, light-hearted misfortunes of
people in the public eye. For example, John Prescott caught having
an affair with his secretary, Naomi Campbell falling on the catwalk,
or Paris Hilton caught in a bikini with cellulite.

The cover of the flick books would be a parody in the style of 'Heat'
or 'Now' and would be positioned in various locations around London
where passers-by would be asked be asked to tell me when to stop 'flicking'.
The project questions the media's influence in tempting us into watching
the humiliating, embarrassing and humorous small-scale misfortunes of others.
How far would we go in watching the fall of a celebrity?

The final outcome might be photographic or information based graphics
recording observations and public reactions.

Leif, Installation

Ok for some time now I have had this "MakeController" thing on my desk staring at me, and me staring right back!
It is a device that enables connection of analog sensors to detect stuff like heat, light, distance. It can also be used with real switches, push buttons, sliders and bending strips. It's made by a company called MakingThings and it can interface with tools like Processing, Max/Msp and Flash. I wanted to play with this thing for a while now so this is a good chance to jump in, head first. This was also the tech stuff I had in mind for a real make of my Rain is Number project.
The theme here is analog physical interaction with a graphic digital interface.

My goal is to make a installation piece using a projector, the MakeController kit and Flash.
Ideas don't come out of no where for me. I need to test and do some R/D on all this to see the light, but generating graphics from a live source is where I am heading with this.

hung ___ wedding portrait

option 1

I had a question on wedding portrait.

Everyone must have seen a wedding portrait of their parents, friends or relative. I am very confident to say almost every Wedding Portraits you have seen in the past were taken in the day light or in front of a cheesy/boring background in a wedding studio.

Why isn’t there any wedding portrait taken at night? The camera technology now days are incredible, all the accessories, equipments and software has gone beyond our imagination, however we still yet to see any wedding portraits which were taken at night.

I would like to take this opportunity to produce a number of unique night-time city life wedding portraits for my final major. I will do my best to get contact with wedding photography studio and locate where those photography can be shot. Possibility finding models for wedding portraits…

Option 2

Asya Smailbegovic. Live brief with Unruly Studio @ Westbourne Studios

I have decided to orientate my final project towards the field I hope to work in, namely fashion graphics, window and in-store graphics. With this in mind, I approached the managers of Unruly, a contemporary fashion studio based in Portobello.
My proposed outcome takes the form of a illustrative wall and window that will be done in situ.
As well as this mural, I plan to document the in-store process by filming the development of the piece.

• Background Company Info: Unruly Studio offers a network of stylists, make-up artists and hair experts to the TV, media and fashion industries as well as regular clients. They work very closely with Select Model Management and have a contract with FM Model Agency.

• They have a range of celebrity clients from Lily Allen and Sophie Anderton to the winner of “How do you solve a problem like Maria” Connie Fisher. They have also been on Channel 4’s show “10 Years Younger”.

• Brief: In-store illustrative graphic designs for the studio, to go onto an approximately 10 meter long wall and 15 meter long window. The final design will be a lasting piece and will be displayed for the next 2-3 years.

• Some sections of the final designs will be printed and installed onto the wall and window, while other sections will be done in situ by hand inside the actual studio.

Ana Freitas - Brighter Journal II

This year's Journal will, initially, have the feel of last year's Andreas' design.
Trying to follow from his steps, but not copying it, I will try to create the feeling of continuity.
We will probably have more features in the magazine this year, the budget is a bit better (for what I understand), and printing/material/size and different ways of distributing the magazine can be explored.



This show is following last year's Brighter concept, which 'comes out of the dark and lights up London's communication scene' (Brighter 2006). Being the second issue, Brighter Journal II, should reflect the best from last year, and also learn from its mistakes. Taking Brighter to a new level will be the major challenge.

Voluptuous! (Aleister)

The idea is to shape the image of a luxury lingerie designer from concept to completion. This is a live client and her work is sophisticated and chic. She is also open to big creative ideas. Our discussions so far have been about a new kind of graphic that appeals to fore mostly to women, with emphasis on femininity as opposed to what men would like to see. The project would seek to avoid skinny model stereotypes and give Agent Provocatuer, fantastic as it is, a fairly wide berth.

Essentially the project is art direction; rather than getting completely tied to logo/corporate or web etc, though these will certainly factor eventually, I'm looking at making sure the overall styling is perfect. For example one avenue would be the design and coordination of photo shoots with lighting, location, models and make-up artists etc - making the project a big speak for my communication/logistical/real world skills as well as my visual and conceptual ability, which would manifest in the resultant graphic products.

I've had some success working on overtly commercial projects and whilst I personally don't want to be on the designing pub signs vibe, this kind of high end fashion graphic allows me to have some of that functionality that I enjoy whilst also working cheeky, flamboyant ideas into the subtext. At one point I thought: quartet of outrageous girls at Brighter II, modeling corsets and luring industry bods toward my project (at the tempting risk of our show becoming a Las Vegas style cabaret, albeit).

Aimee Gillett: sentimental icons meets urban

In contrast to the notion of the English having a "stiff upper lip" my project will recontextualise everyday icons to reflect contemporary culture playing on the idea of taboo subjects. These could include: Stamps, crockery, phallic hedges.

Cristina Pais - STEREOtype

Having my interest on type re-awakened from the typographic poster project, I have decided to study the cliches associated with type and create anti-types from stereo-types and record responses to these changes. Examples would be street graphics, road signs, printed/editorial type, etc.

Juliana Davies

Final Major Project

My project will be creating and producing the graphic promotional material (including a music-video) for a jazz singer called Georgia Mancio - a very promising, young, and seductive British singer. Her 2nd album is in post production to be released summer 2007, and for music video I would use one of her original songs.

To listen to an album track click on the link:

http://www.georgiamancio.com/CDsamples.html

Charlie Bentley: The Newspaper

I have thought again, and would like to refer back to my dissertation: 'Blogging: The art of post modern journalism', which discussed the notion of citizen journalism/blogging replacing traditional media such as newspapers.

Newspapers are destined to 'check out in 2044'. But how will we live without them?

People use newspapers for so many things other than just a format for reading the news, such as insulation, doodling, papier mâché; and in the past, loo paper, cleaning windows, making fires, fly swotting etc.

Without newspapers, what will we have to recycle?

So why not reinvent the newspaper as the ultimate versatile product? Persuading people to buy the newspaper to use, not to read...

Create a newspaper with a twist-when opened each page is perforated, ready to rip out to use for specific purposes. Or a page is covered in vinegar ready for window cleaning. Or instructions on how to make a paper boat.

Or the idea of promoting the newspaper as a product - no need to buy windolene, use the newspaper. This could be in the form of a TV advert.

Or a retrospective...

The outcome of this FMP could take many forms- a newspaper itself with a twist, a newspaper sculpture, a witty film, adverts, poster campaign.

Jerrome Brown

Addiction to public space

Graffiti writers act as visual intermediaries between the public and the use and control of public space. The passion is driven off of a constant need to reclaim public space, which many do not realise. This is very important to me especially today where public space and control of the public is a growing problem, with regards to the implication of advertisement boards, oyster passes, mass CCTV, and the recent talk of I.D passes. Also graffiti writers are not portrayed in a positive way which I a negative education that conditions the public into thinking a certain way, another form of control. However threw this passion comes an addiction. This is an addiction to getting your name/statement everywhere. This encompasses the smell of different inks, making your own ink, the first whiff of the paint fumes after 7 seconds of pressing the cap down.

I want to communicate this addiction through a series of wall charts exaggerating the progressive use of pens, possible scratch and sniff charts of inks and recipes of making your own ink, and diagram/map exemplifying where you would aim to write your name.

Throughout this project I also want to communicate that graffiti is for everyone, for the sake of the public. Hence why I want to explore into scratch and sniff posters to engage with the audience.

Joanna Zhou

Things Are Never What They Seem - Subversive Paint-by-Numbers

I'd like to base my FMP on paint-by-number kits which I loved as a child. The motifs are always gloriously kitschy, from moonlit unicorns to Bob Ross style landscapes. Paint-by-number boards have two visual levels; the numbered lineart and the finished painting. My idea is to create sets of imagery that appear typical when viewed as lineart but reveal a subversive, provocative or even pornographic image once painted. This can be achieved by having adjacent outlined areas numbered with the same colour so that they merge into an entirely different shape once painted.

The desired effect is that someone might start off working on a cutesy drawing of kittens, but eventually end up with a pair of naked breasts (wearing a 'PussyCat' necklace). It could also be typographic, with a hidden expletive revealed above a smiling child. The process becomes a metaphor for many situations we face in modern life such as loss of innocence, subjectivity of memory and effort vs expectation.

I'm considering the possibility of making it digital and designing a website where people can download templates to print and paint. (Or a layered version that can be coloured in using Photoshop). The alternative would be to have designs printed onto real canvas and create actual kits...depending on the packaging they could be marketed to a suspecting or unsuspecting audience.

Valentine Obasuyi ‘Pan Sonic’

My final major project will be my assistance as an art director to Finnish, digital-music artists Pan Sonic.
I’ll be involved with producing the graphic promotional material (including, music video virals) of their recently released album Katodivaihe / Cathodephase.

Tim Keay

Final Major Project

A short film or piece of moving image work, with scenes / sections filmed by many different people on their camera phones, and submitted over the internet.

Throughout the course I have become increasingly interested in moving image work, and in the idea of the 'digital aesthetic' – the use of digital networked technology and new media in design. From one perspective, modern digital equipment has enabled film makers to produce increasingly realistic special effects with high definition and computer modeling. Digital technology has also, however, made film making equipment smaller and cheaper – virtually everyone with a mobile phone and a computer now has the ability to produce and distribute work. It is this aspect of the 'digital aesthetic' I would like to investigate.

The project would allow me to carry through ideas which closely relate to my dissertation, with mass media picking up on the concept of the citizen journalist, and the increasing importance / popularity of websites that contain and distribute user generated content – Youtube and Revver being two obvious examples.

I have not yet decided whether the piece would be entirely original, or based around some existing work – whether it would be tightly scripted or if people would be asked to respond to more ambiguous themes. The project would become very interesting when then the content of the film starts to work with, or contrast with the medium.

Alex Woodcock FMP idea

modern day urban dueling

Samantha Dunsmore- The Property Book...

In the world of property development, at the high end of the market, interior designers and property developers need to showcase their finished properties in the form of a brochure or book. It not only sells the property but it sells a lifestyle, tempting people to buy into the fashionable lifestyle of upper class London.

Working alongside Averys Property Consultants who are based in Belgravia and deal with the high end of the property market, focusing on a specific property and working with the interior designer, I will produce a brochure to showcase the property. This will also be used to produce a template that makes it possible to adapt its contents for use with other properties, and it will become a service that is offered by the Agency, as this service does not already exist.

This is an exciting project as the fierce competition in the property market results in a need for high levels of security with regard to those who are permitted to see inside. It will also be a service that is not currently widely available to property developers unless they employ the service of an interior design company, such as those who currently lead in this field, Candy & Candy.

The body of work for this project will be made up of research into the field. It will also consist of the photographing and researching of the property itself and it will document my relationship with the interior designer and property developer, incorporating their vision into the design of the book.

Anna Rhodes: Nostalgia as a comfort blanket for adults

I will be making a scaled up version of a children’s coin operated ride in the form of a giraffe, this will pose many questions about why nostalgia is used so readily in design and will also be accompanied with a log book documenting the process of the decision making and art direction.

olly simpson

ANCESTORS: A RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY!

Many people feel that there is something missing from their lives. Consumerism and fetishisms can only provided limited satisfaction and do not truly enrich our experience of the world. Our souls only shrink as we get older, consumed by our fear of death; This is one commodity we cannot buy. Many cultures (outside the perimeter of global homogenization - set by western standards) are still very much in touch with their ancestors, and for different reasons - something i must research.

'Urban dwellers, return to your roots and reconnect with your ancestral heritage;
the spirits of bygone times are a benevolent source of wisdom and healing'.

>Wanting to avoid the pitfalls of New Age hippie banter, i want to offer possibilities for harnessing the positive enrgies of ancestors and other spirits, but without all the extra bagage of (what may be considered) wierd spritual trollop.
im not exactly sure what my product will be or what exactly it is supposed to acheive, although i am attracted to the idea of using a medium (as in a medium between the physical and metaphysical worlds) which could be a person or an object - which of course will also act as the medium i use to present my work. i want it to be clean, delicate and explicit (as in you dont have to close your eyes and belive). Perhaps a sort of modern alter which people can relate to, but which offers deeper cultural significance than other artefacts (such as vynil figures).

This is also about identity and the importance of locality, i.e. retaining localized cultures in a global context.

Any suggestions? Has this theme got mileage or did it miss the target completely? What do YOU think?

Michelle Griffiths

4 ideas for final projects (sorry-cant' decide)

1. (Topic-graphic designers bring things to life)
How is it in this day and age and with such an advance in technology we still have manequinns in shop windows? Graphic designers are all about bringing things to life and having their work noticed and understood. My idea is to contact famous shops, such as Harrods and Harvey Nicholls to ask if I could live in their shop window or to be a live manequinn.I will exhibit this at our show by video/photography or hopefully if i managed to get publicity, by print.

2. (Topic - How far a designer will go to get noticed) MY idea for this is to get as famous as possible in 12 weeks. I will start off by contacting television channels and if I have got nowhere as the weeks go on who knows what I will have to do. Maybe stick a photo of myself on a billboard? Wander down to Eastenders set/ get my family on Jeremy Kyle show.


3. (Topic - from something small, something big can happen)
Writing the beginning of a story and send it by email to see how far it will go round the world with people adding to it- a story that has been written by people all over the world. Similar idea is to start a drawing people can add to. Maybe a piece of work contributed to by all level 3 students to represent Chelsea and be left as a legacy to Chelsea when we all leave.


4. (Topic- How far can blagging get you) WE all know girls have the advantage of getting away with things a lot more than men. A batter of the eyelids, a dropping of the pencil- I wonder how far this could be taken. With only my car and £50 I will see how far I can get around the world in 12 weeks using blagging as my only tool. I may have to discuss this one with my parents!!!! Not sure how I could exhibit this.


Be really grateful for some feedback asap as I am going off in too many directions at the moment and need to be reigned back in

Rachel Roberts ‘The Exhibition’

My project uses the notion of the exhibition to explore and define my personal experience as a design student in the city. In essence our time as students can be viewed as an exhibition of our progress as everything we see and do is from an aesthetic viewpoint from the way we wish to be perceived by tutors our peers and society.

Following on from the debate in my dissertation (is the graphic designer leading the way into a society of chronic narcissism) the body of work would come from looking at ‘expression of self’ in a design forum-what or who makes a design student? The final product would be a book containing illustrations, documenting not only my journey through my time at Chelsea but a broader commentary on how a student is shaped through experiences with people they meet along the way. It could also branch out into re-defining the idea of the exhibition, making it a more interactive and personable experience for the viewing public, who have a big part to play in defining a designers work.An interesting start point could be the exhibition as a brand.

In Other News- Melissa Bavanandan

Final Project Proposal:

In other News…

This project aims to demonstrate how monumental the past three years have been by creating a visual timeline of major events that have taken place during this time; archiving such landmark events as 2004 Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, July bombings, War in Iraq and Saddam Hussein’s execution. By cross- referencing and comparing our ‘local’ university experience to that of ‘global’ events, I hope to illustrate the significant changes that have occurred on a personal and universal level.

Whilst the primary aim of the piece is to represent the enormity of a three-year degree course, the project will also question the relevance of Graphic Design.

To some degree, this piece is controversial, as it seemingly belittles the design world by paralleling significantly greater problems in the ‘real world’; however, this project ultimately glorifies and supports the designer, as it will reveal that it is mostly through Graphic Communication that these issues are communicated to the rest of the world.

The proposed end product will be a printed news-spread that will be distributed at the show and published in an article in Wonderland magazine, (June edition).

David Roberts: Faking it

Today's society is increasingly being blighted by accusations of being 'dumbed down', and with the media appealing to our most immature needs it is no wonder that even such things as exams are being accused of having dumbed down to meet the ability of today's students.

My project aims to help people fake intelligence in today's 'dumbed down' society.

One possible outcome would be to gatecrash other courses or colleges in order to fake an academic lifestyle or another outcome would be to find methods of concealing popular culture by using the front of high society.

Matthew Wood: Selling out

Can a student sell out?

For my final major project, I will put my show space up for sale to the highest bidder to see the power of the Chelsea brand, while also seeing if a student can sell out before they are in industry.

I will either:

Advertise to attract other college students, or anyone creative who maybe would like to show their work at Chelsea, or see it as fast track way to show work in a degree show without spending 3 years, and paying tuition fees.
Advertise to any company who wants to advertise in my space even if it’s not creative, and therefore truly sell out for the money.

The methods to market my space would include posters around London, newspapers adverts and the internet to name a few. The body of work would come from the advertising and responses of emails and phone calls.
It would also be a way to advertise and promote when the Chelsea show is on, as well as seeing if a student can truly sell out.

Chelsea Photo Album 2007

I would like to link my Final Project with the topic I was writing the dissertation on. My dissertation topic name was ‘Photographs as Objects of Memory’ where I was discussing the notion of photographs and photography being an element of our lives. How photography can invigorate our memory and recreate the past. So I would like to base my Final project on something related to this area, and use the outcome of it to prove my ideas from practical point of view.
The idea is called Chelsea Photo Album 2007. I want to create a real photo album and photograph everyone in the college at the moment. The Photo Album will be twice the size of the original and can be put inside college space or outside triangle space. The idea sounds very simple but I think I can make it interesting.
It can be something like a yearbook and it’s about Chelsea and personal to me. It is also related to my dissertation topic because it is going to be based on photography and memory. It is relevant to the moment because it’s almost the end of the course and it can be something to remember each other by. (The small size photo albums will be available also).
The research will be based on organising everything, and trying to find the right style. Taking photographs and designing will be the largest part of work. I also think that this is an innovative project because it is something that everyone would have and at the same time it could be something very special.
It is also good for me because it will give me the opportunity to communicate with other people from the college and when it is finished it will be a good demonstration of my skills.

Karina Dshkhunyan

Stephanie's FinalMajorProject

DIY Kit : create your own counterfeit fashion bag!

The kit will include a how-to explanation, a brief information on the bag (its name, model of the bag, etc...), sticker sheets from handbag models to patterns of several brand names(those who are the most affected by the counterfeiting market).
There is also sheets for you to paste your own creation.

DIY Kit comes in three different packs : the Beginner pack, the Not-so-Beginner Pack and the Counterfeit-addict Pack (for those who are used to these products and want to make their own ¨fake¨ bag)

put your final project ideas here...

Text and jpgs are good - as the quality will be lower - 72dpi no larger than 900 pixels wide or high (rgb). If you have a layout or an illustrator file it may be best to take a screengrab (use the 'grab' utility) rather than rendering out for hours.