So I felt it was time for an update, it’s been a hectic few weeks but it’s been enjoyable!
I’ve recently finished university, exhibited my work, graduated, started the dreaded job search and eventually secured my first job in design.
However In-between all of this happening I obtained some fantastic work experience, whilst also staying inspired by visiting exhibitions and viewing some great artistic installations.
So to begin with the work experience was at an independent publishers in the North West, which publishes one of the most popular, monthly free magazines in the UK. During my time there I designed layouts and set type, working and developing my skills in editorial design. The studio was extremely fast paced so it was important to be able to multi-task working on different spreads and advertisements at the same time. This therefore made me realize how important it was to retain a good work-flow, so to keep to tight deadlines. This was a brilliant experience because I got to learn about a different area of Graphic Design.
I still actively seek out exciting exhibitions or things that are happening around my hometown of Manchester. This is one reason I love living in such a lively city because within a short distance are multiple exhibitions, Museum and festivals, enabling you to experience and learn more than you can imagine.
Recently I saw an installation by the internationally acclaimed theatre company, LLotopie, on the waters of the Manchester Ship Canal right near ‘The Lowry’.
The installation was a truly magical experience as the actors drift across the water acting out a thought provoking show. It is definitely something that was not to be missed, merging great story telling, props and pyrotechnics together.
As the installation begins you see normal everyday objects such as a car, caravan and a giant bed effortlessly float across the surface. However as the performance hits full swing the visions of incredible dreams spread across the water creating something that is truly enchanting. The Theatre company have travelled the world with their ‘Water Fools’ performance and you can see why it has been successful, allowing audiences to experience something they’ve never seen quite like it before.
‘Water Fools’ is devised by the innovative French artist Bruno Schebelin. His creativity is conveyed through his playful characters and flamboyant action packed show, making it truly enjoyable for all ages.
Here is a clip of the show taken in Chicago. The story is the same but some of the props had been developed for the show at The Lowry.
Another interesting exhibition which I recently saw was ‘Creating the illusion: Animation in the North West’ at the Museum of Science and Industry.
The exhibition was all about how Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall, brought animation to life in the North West. They both met at Granada studies where they created stop frame animation together, not only creating a strong creative bond but also a great friendship.
One of their first stop frame films was ‘Sally and Jake’. {Below is a picture of Harry, a puppet from the show). The realism of the Character below caused great controversy, as many people complained because they didn’t like his appearance. There was actually a quote from an elderly lady who had wrote into the company to complain which said “Know one sits at out table in a string vest’ showing how appalled she felt at the puppets appearance and especially how they portrayed it as a normal person sat round a dinner table.
The pair worked on many projects together and also attracted young new creators chopping at the bit to work with them and create new ways of entertainment. In the 1970s they were the only Studio outside London to be making stock frame films. Their big break didn’t truly come though until ‘Thames Television’ approached the pair and helped them form ‘Cosgrove Hall’. The first show they created was ‘Chorlton and the Wheelies’ which proved to be a great hit. I took some images from the exhibition of the characters so you could see. (Sorry about the quality). The first image is the main character, happy go lucky ‘Chorlton’. The second is of ‘Fenelia’ the witch who played the baddie in the program, as well as the ‘Toodies puppets who would slide onto the set to save time on animating.
In 2006 Cosgrove Hall reached a milestone when it became the biggest animation studio in Europe, going from employing seven people to, two hundred and fifty. The studio had hit after hit creating programs such as Danger Mouse, Wind in the Willows and the Big friendly Giant, which all won numerous awards.
Paul Berry was also a successor from the studio after being one of the animators at Cosgrove Hall he went on to work under Henry Selick on a ‘Nightmare before Christmas’ and later became Animation Supervisor on James and the Giant Peach.
On a personal note I graduated from University a few weeks ago, which was great closure after studying for three years. I studied Graphic Design combined with Illustration, which taught me a lot. The best thing I found about going to University is that your surrounded by creative people, that will inspire you and also push you to stay on your A game and always strive to do better. I realized how competitive the creative world could be, when live briefs approached the University students would often seek out quiet places to discuss their ideas, so the opposing group couldn’t listen, as well as when we did group critics they would often become more like interrogations. I think that this part of the experience which was although sometimes quite difficult, taught me a great deal, such as there are lots of people that are hungry for it and you have got to put up a good fight to succeed.
It also however taught me how wrong it was actually for people to behave like this, and even I myself sometimes got sucked into it. I’ve realized over the cause of writing this blog that design should not be hided know matter how good or bad, as it may trigger an idea in you that you automatically just think Genius! It taught me that to become a ‘designer’ you have to look outside the box, experience and view things differently and embrace other medias and cultures. Look back over history and to also think of the present. I think this is why I do enjoy visiting Museums and exhibitions as I always learn something new or am inspired by something I read or see.
One think that I wish when sprawling through agencies websites is that they show ideas that didn’t quite work, or ideas that didn’t get chosen by the client. After all Designing is for a reason and we wouldn’t be in a job if we weren’t improving upon a service, whether that’s creating a brand to raise more awareness, or redesigning a brochure to make informing people more simpler and effective.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not going to learn Graphic Design in a classroom, I’m going to learn it through life and trail and error, whilst also experiencing new things.
joanneodonnell 
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