scorched earth policy

We're all busy with this Design History project about culture and interculture and cross-culturalisationpollination fabrication etc. Basically this means that we are in groups of 4 and have to spend time at each other's houses, favourite places, eating each other's traditional food and sharing experiences ... I took these photographs yesterday while we were going for a walk around Anthony's side of town. It was a vlei behind his house and we got to a part that had been burnt down the previous day ...

I was just playing around with my Nikon and some low angles, trying to make the two subjects look like giants, but maybe they look more like miniature model people from a train set or architectural model?

kiss you on the cheek

 

I took these photos this morning - someone very special to me doing something that he loves, and I love to just listen and watch him - makes me feel happy and warm inside.

(He's probably going to be cross with me for putting these up, but I don't mind!)

 

Here is the logo that goes with the packaging project that I just completed. The name, Intwasa, means "the calling" that one gets from the ancestors, summoning them to become a Sangoma or traditional healer.  

The logo design is directly inspired by the wildebeest tail swish that Sangomas use in their rituals - both by the hair of the tail and the swishing motion it creates. 

The type was all done by hand and is meant to loosely represent bones that are also used in ritual "throwing of the bones" ceremonies and the hair of the wildebeest tail as well.

Quite a simple logo, but  I think it's also pretty effective!

(I will post the rest of the packaging design very soon!)

Tea cures everything

i love this photo of these Victorian styled ladies!

I think I must be going slightly mad - for the first time ever last night I did something that I always thought completely unthinkable, impossible, too ridiculous to even imagine ...

I did some design history homework instead of prac work (logo design for a packaging and market research project, focusing on Sangomas - which is actually pretty fun and interesting)!

and I actually kind of enjoyed it ... 

gasp! What's wrong with you, Sawyer!

Anyway, here are some of the pictures that I made to accompany a little brief on traditional English Afternoon Tea, for my three group members who are coming to my house on Friday for some tea and scones and cucumber sandwiches and whatever else goes down well with tea.  Hope you appreciate this, group 3! haha, only joking...


Alright, no more procrastinating... lets get back to that packaging project!

 

 

 

 

 

 

and this is a picture that i took in Covent Garden last October - think it goes nicely with this project!

happy valentines everyone

back to school

Just registered for another year of graphics at CPUT - it felt strange being back yesterday after having such a nice long break but it was great to see everyone from our class. After standing in lines for a while we had fun laughing at each other's photos!

kingston scribblings

Vuyani

Maresa

I went through the notebook I kept on my trip to London in October and found these drawings that I had completely forgotten about - I did these while we were all sitting down after lunch at the university and used the Faber-Castell PITT artist brush pen that I had just bought. They are not the best drawings, but I think there is something interesting, or maybe just funny about them!

Vuyani is in my class in Cape Town and Maresa and I shared a room during our stay.

finnish fashion

Since starting out with this blog, it's never been my plan to simply refer to other people doing cool things and then forget about posting any of my own work, but when I came across this while researching different styles of composite photography for a project we were briefed for at Kingston, I had to make an exception! And anyway, I always like to see what other designers get inspired by, so maybe you will also find this interesting... These photographs are from the various lookbooks on the website of Finnish fashion label, GILLES ET DADA.

I love the mix of photography and graphic design throughout their campaigns.

 

They actually have a pretty cool site and philosophy behind their work, so their website is well worth the look.

Playing with pencil crayon

I can't remember the last time I did an illustration with pencil crayon, must have been sometime in junior school!  So last night I decided to give it a go and I think it went quite well! I really love working in different shades of just one colour and pencil crayon is a great medium for that. 

using the watercolour pencil crayon, i made a kind of collage drawing in my sketchbook

A detail shot of some washes made by mixing the pencil shavings with water

another one

Just look at this awesome flyer - it just makes me wish there was a swing dancing class near me, then I would definitely join - and I usually never dance, maybe because I'm really bad, but I would try!

This is another one that I brought home from Brick Lane.

london find

When I was in London we all went to the Design Museum and one of the things i picked up at their shop was this awesome little set of photo hangers - so cute and clever!

 And I bought a 3D drawing pad!

 and a set of origami sticky notes - 

each page has instructions for a different origami object

lucky

Look at this cool present I got! It's called a Mugo and is made and sold by Industrial Design students from CPUT. Looks like a disposable, but is actually a really well-made ceramic mug. And it comes in great packaging too! 

"The ceramic mug is double walled with a standard capacity of 250ml. The ergonomic lip is comfortable and ensures safe sipping. With love and care this mug will last you a life time." says the tubular cardboard packaging. 

If you also want one, email Mugo@meantobe.co.za

I'm going to make my first coffee in it right now!