All entries for June 2004

Up Against the Wall: International Poster design

This is more than another coffee table book. It takes a comprehensive look at poster design from an International perspective. The humble poster is showcased as the most accessible contemporary form of street communication. It is examined as a political tool, from the controversial to the aesthetically beautiful, as a reflection of contemporary thought, and, at its most simplistic a mix of text and image.

Since I've been workling on some posters it seemed a helpful inspiration and an excuse to buy a great book! It is well laid out and full of great colour spreads.

I got a great deal on it through an Amazon re-seller – RRP £29.95, I paid £18. Quite satisfying.

: 30 Jun 2004 11:58 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

A Wet Walk

Despite the continuous downpour on Saturday I was determined to walk so we did a six mile circuit around Uley, a section of the Cotswold Way which diverted around a rather interesting burial tump. Some steep banks and wooded areas made the walk varied although due to the relentless rain it was quite nice to get back to the car!

: 28 Jun 2004 10:58 |  Tags: The Great Outdoors |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Review: Tears of the Giraffe

This is the second in the series 'No 1 Ladies Detective Agency' and follows the antics of Mma Ramotswe in her detective agency in Bostwana. Like the first in the series it is entertaining and a real delight to read. McCall Smith clearly understands the spirit of Africa and his writing draws the reader into a country that is simple, delightful and full of beauty. He communicates the essence of Botswanan life in a tone that is gentle and refreshing, yet somehow challenging and thoughtprovoking. I can't wait to read the next two in the series.

: 28 Jun 2004 10:21 |  Tags: Book Reviews |  Comments (4) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

The Apple brand

Apple is a good example of an evolving identity. With the multicoloured apple as its original logo it developed subtley to reflect changing times, and now the latest OS, Panther, features a shiny crome version.

'Its great to take an image and keep revising it and making it better'
Rob Janoff, designer of original Apple Macintosh logo (Colour Marks:Digit 76)

: 25 Jun 2004 13:26 |  Comments (3) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Rooney Mask!

Writing about web page http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/football/newsid_3798000/3798997.stm

I'm not a huge football fan but have to admit that yesterday’s game was pretty exciting. You'd have to have your head buried in the sand to not have heard of the antics of wonder boy Rooney. So for anyone who wants to really get into the spirit of things, you can download a Rooney/Beckham/Sven mask. Oh, and for those who prefer tennis there are Henman masks too!

: 22 Jun 2004 16:09 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Palindromic

Writing about an entry you don't have permission to view

Speaking of names and getting them right, I do get mildly irritated if people forget that my name is a palindrome (there aren't many others who can claim this: Anna, Otto are the only others that spring to mind) and leave off the last 'h' when spelling it. I once had a christmas card addressed to 'Hanner', which was quite amusing, a mistake quickly forgiven! It’s a difficult name to shorten but close friends have been known to shorten to 'Han' or extend to ‘Hanrahan’, the former of which does come in handy when texting.

Come to think of it, that would have been a good alternative to 'Hannah’s Handbag' but that has sort of stuck so I'll have to make use of 'Palindromic ' another time.

: 21 Jun 2004 14:55 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Review: U2 All That You Can't Leave Behind

I love this album. After 'Joshua Tree' (which frankly takes some beating), this is my favourite U2 album. Spiritual, profound and beautiful are just some of the words I would use to describe it. My favourite tracks would have to be 'Beautiful Day' and 'Grace'.

: 18 Jun 2004 10:31 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

The cat's tail

I trod on the cat's tail this morning. My full weight! She will carelessly leave her tail just hanging around on the floor for me to tread on. I suppose its a hazard of having a tail. Boy did she squeal like I've never heard before. The cat equivalent of cursing probably. I did apologise, but she'll probably still get me back later with her claws.

: 17 Jun 2004 11:54 |  Tags: Feline |  Comments (7) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Isaac Newton Quote

I keep the subject of my inquiry constantly before me…
Isaac Newton.

: 16 Jun 2004 10:44 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Blog: the brand

I will be working on a bunch of marketing and publicity ideas for the 'blog' brand at Warwick over the coming weeks. (I know, I get all the fun jobs!). I am at the brainstorming, oops, mindmapping stage at the moment, generating ideas and concepts.

I am interested in coming up with a definiton for 'blog', especially since it is a relatively new term. This might (or might not be) used in any branding ideas. Heres one I have concocted from various sources (no originality claimed) and am interested in any others. It sounds a bit emotionless at the moment so if anyone is inspired….

Blog: short term for weblog, a personal journal that is frequently updated and viewable by others.

: 15 Jun 2004 15:58 |  Tags: All Things Graphical |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem