Library Creative

Down the rabbit hole...

2009-11-10T05:52:00.001-08:00

Here's a wonderful painting from Jim Kay, an illustrator based in Edinburgh. His site shows more of his drawings, paintings and sketches which, in my opinion are pretty stunning.

Up! Retro posters

2009-11-03T05:53:00.001-08:00

To celebrate the release of Pixar’s “Up” on DVD and Blu-ray in the US, eight gorgeous retro-style posters for the film have been released. Designed by Eric Tan and very nice indeed. See all of them here

Warp 20

2009-11-02T03:50:00.001-08:00

Although it’s been out for the best part of a month now, the Warp records 20th anniversary box set (designed by Yes) is certainly worth mentioning again. The deluxe special-edition features new songs, older previously unreleased material from Warp artists and tracks selected as the best of the labels output by Warp fans. It also includes a beautifully produced book showcasing the labels rich design history along with an exclusive hour long mix and locked-groove vinyl set. I want one. Bleep

Good or Bad Design?

2009-10-19T05:04:00.001-07:00

Noticed this book in the window of a local charity shop and just had to get it – early 70s design book by Ode Brochmann that covers quite a lot, using a nice simple layout and Alan Fletcher style illustrations (it doesn't specify who the illustrator is so it may be the author). It even tells you what font & leading the book is set in which appeals to the typographic nerd in me.

Dust monsters

2009-10-09T05:29:00.000-07:00

Amazing photographs from Ujin Lee and Tom Edwards – love the way that you start to see forms in them. Thanks to Build's blog.

Stonehurst motor museum

2009-10-08T01:15:00.000-07:00

Recently went to Stonehurst Farm, just outside Leicester (which is great), but even better is the Motor Museum that is next to it (and free to get in!). I'm not even a big 'car-man' but it's one of the most interesting Aladdin's caves you'll ever visit... Stonehurst

Turning the mind

2009-10-08T01:12:00.000-07:00

Just a quick one to let you know that the new Maps album is out this week at all good stockists (and Spotify)...

Hand font

2009-10-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

I'm hand-drawing type more and more these days so thought I'd make my own font - will post a link to a download once I've done all the tricky characters...

Strick!

2009-10-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

The artist and illustrator Rebecca Strickson has a new site (designed by me) - it's almost finished but here are a couple of screen shots to keep you going...

Operation

2009-09-30T07:58:00.000-07:00

So that's what my laptop look like inside...

Techniques of Typography

2009-04-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

Amazing book by Cal Swann (both author and designer) published in the 60s. A great reference book as well as being beautifully designed.

David Carson is alive and well and living in New Cross

2009-04-14T11:31:00.000-07:00

How amazing is this sign?

Unfinished work

2009-03-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the amazing 'Leaping Letters' game I played as a child, I planned to create a whole pack of these cards as an idea to get kids interested in type. Only managed to design 3 but you never know what the future holds...

Tango

2009-03-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

This happened a while ago but I've just found the photo. I came downstairs one morning and my cat ('Quietly') was trying to communicate with me using a ball of wool. Maybe she's just getting bored with water...

Mark Jessett

2009-03-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Mark Jessett for coming all the way to Mansfield to speak about his paintings as part of the Creative Forum. It was fascinating and has made me want to clear out my shed and start painting again. For more info visit markjessett.com

Wild Things trailer

2009-03-25T15:00:00.001-07:00

New Where the Wild Things Are trailer – looks like the film company has tried to focus on the uplifting side of a film which, if reports are to be believed, is brilliant but uncompromising on the scares and emotional intensity. Sounds just like the book then... See for yourself here "Raaaargh".

CBS

2009-03-25T14:55:00.000-07:00

Saw these posters for CBS in the big smoke recently - simple but effective!

Poppy Thurlby - abstract photographer

2009-03-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

She knows how to use my phone camera better than me...

Michael C Place

2009-03-25T13:51:00.001-07:00

I've just been lucky enough to have spent 90 mins in the company of Michael C Place up in Newcastle. Very inspiring stuff.

Cream

2008-04-24T01:40:00.000-07:00

Haven't posted for a while as I've been snowed under but I'm back on the case now... this is some work I've just finished for Cream Creative Copy, consisting of a website, postcards and identity. I got inspired by the use of words and speech marks in particular - using different fonts to represent the different 'tones of voice' that the copywriter can adopt. Also, thanks to Styrotech for their help in making the 3D logo which now adorns their office. I'm currently working on some canvas designs to go alongside this which I'll post once their finished. Phil

The Accidental Poster

2008-03-18T02:37:00.000-07:00

Saw the poster for 'The Accidental Husband' recently - surely a candidate for the worst movie poster of the year... not only is it generally uninspired but just look at the low quality of the Colin Firth image! It looks like it's been pasted in from something else - very shoddy...

What I'm up to...

2008-03-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

At the moment I'm working on some interesting stuff... finishing off a corporate brochure, working on 2 websites, redesigning a newsletter, starting to work on the new issue of Climate (the cover's pretty much done and looking great - will post it online soon) and putting the finishing touches on publicity for a copywriter. Oh... and working on the new Library Creative website when I get a chance. Who needs sleep eh?

Good Earth

2008-03-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

Apparently this is a really good place to eat (haven't checked it out yet) but I'm more impressed with the combination of black letter type and neon.

Wizz Kidd

2008-03-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

I've just finished the identity for Wizz Kidd - a start-up music agency based in Northampton. The logo represents the main focus of the company which is to get people talking about a band, club or festival... along the way some other ideas were explored and I thought I'd share some of them with you...

Library Blog!

2008-03-12T05:06:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the first anniversary of Library Creative, I've started a blog to show more work, talk about design and other things that come to mind...