Saturday, 28 February 2015
The Tate Liverpool
Recently, I took a trip to Liverpool in order to look at The Tate gallery. There was an exhibition with Andy Warhol work which was very interesting to look at. I think it is important to go to galleries and look at work that has stood the test of time and work out why those pieces have been so successful. It was very interesting to look at his work because it created a lot of discussion on Warhol's method. It was quite difficult to understand how he's managed to create such massive screen prints. When you're that close to the work you can see the detail of it, such as the use of wax to create textures and lack of colours in parts. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos in the Warhol exhibition, but there was other areas you could take photos.
Friday, 20 February 2015
Thursday, 19 February 2015
Presentation
I was recently asked from my high school if me and another student, Emily. could come down to do a presentation to the current year 12 and 13 art classes about life after 6th form. We were really excited to do this because 6th form was a really good time for us and because we both went on to do Foundation Diploma then both end up at Leeds College of Art, we thought we had some quality information.
We talked to the class about what we're doing now, how we got into graphics coming from a painting background. This experience was very good for developing our presenting skills. We were both confident and comfortable which allowed the class to be the same and ask all the questions they needed.
We talked to the class about what we're doing now, how we got into graphics coming from a painting background. This experience was very good for developing our presenting skills. We were both confident and comfortable which allowed the class to be the same and ask all the questions they needed.
Tuesday, 17 February 2015
Taking Care of Business - Poster
We need to advertise our print studio, so I designed some posters that go with or branding. The use of the turquoise stroke injects some colour to the poster. The poster itself is simple on information, this in order for the viewer to interact further and hopefully go on the website or social media platform to find out what we are all about.
Taking Care of Business - Public Funding
It's a good idea to try and get a grant or some form of funding in order to cover our start up costs. I used the government website to narrow down a search for some. GOV.co.uk is an easy way to put in the information and find a grant or scheme suitable for our business.
There was a lot of schemes in the Yorkshire and Leeds area, which was helpful. However, I found more loans then grants and we really want a grant in order to not have a heavy financial burden on our shoulders as soon as we set up shop.
After looking through a lot of schemes, Katie found the Leeds Inspired Art Fund which was up to £15,000 grant. This was a lot more helpful than a large loan.
We have also used a small £5000 loan in order to keep us in the black for the first year of business.
There was a lot of schemes in the Yorkshire and Leeds area, which was helpful. However, I found more loans then grants and we really want a grant in order to not have a heavy financial burden on our shoulders as soon as we set up shop.
After looking through a lot of schemes, Katie found the Leeds Inspired Art Fund which was up to £15,000 grant. This was a lot more helpful than a large loan.
We have also used a small £5000 loan in order to keep us in the black for the first year of business.
Friday, 13 February 2015
Taking Care Of Business - Costings
We went to the print rooms in order to source real life prices on things like the print beds, dry racks, screens, frames etc. The technician was really helpful and gave us all the price we needed.
He also told us to look at Natgraph which is the company with industry standard equipment.
YPO is a company that the school use for a lot of equipment as well which Aimee is looking at.
Here are the costings the print room gave us. It works out at around £5 a head which leave a good profit margin. At this price we can offer group discounts as well.
He also told us to look at Natgraph which is the company with industry standard equipment.
YPO is a company that the school use for a lot of equipment as well which Aimee is looking at.
Here are the costings the print room gave us. It works out at around £5 a head which leave a good profit margin. At this price we can offer group discounts as well.
Final decided costings, including loans, funding, wages, design pay etc.
Friday, 6 February 2015
The Type Hunter
I found The Type Hunter on Instagram. I find Instagram a really good platform to find work I like and research from there.
His name is Keith Tatum and from America, as a graphic designer he concentrates on vintage type and searches for that. It's a really good way to find old styles from the past and get inspiration from that. He also puts some of his work up as well, which is interesting to see because you can see how he has been influenced as well.
His name is Keith Tatum and from America, as a graphic designer he concentrates on vintage type and searches for that. It's a really good way to find old styles from the past and get inspiration from that. He also puts some of his work up as well, which is interesting to see because you can see how he has been influenced as well.
Stranger and Stranger Obession
During the summer I was researching into design companies and came across Stranger and Stranger.
They design amazing antique looking alcohol packaging. Which is two of my favourite things, alcohol and historical design.
I emailed them about the summer work but they never replied. When I design my next piece of workI want to contact them if appropriate.
They win so many awards on their designs they are very inspiring and influential in my work.
The award history is really impressive, mainly consisting of silver and golds.
They design amazing antique looking alcohol packaging. Which is two of my favourite things, alcohol and historical design.
I emailed them about the summer work but they never replied. When I design my next piece of workI want to contact them if appropriate.
They win so many awards on their designs they are very inspiring and influential in my work.
The award history is really impressive, mainly consisting of silver and golds.
Taking care of Business - Screen Print Companies Research
In order to make our company work we need to look at ones that are already succesful. When we thought about this idea a print company in Newcastle came to mind.
Northern Print
This company is very locally aware, they are situated in Ouseburn which is the creative capital of Newcastle. They do classes, invite people in, hold exhibitions, have a shop and working printers there.
I've been to a workshop there and found it very interesting. There is a lot of knowledge in the building which is something we want to showcase as well.
I think for us to succeed we need to be socially are and involved with the Leeds community, which is very doable because of planned workshops etc.
Northern Print
This company is very locally aware, they are situated in Ouseburn which is the creative capital of Newcastle. They do classes, invite people in, hold exhibitions, have a shop and working printers there.
I've been to a workshop there and found it very interesting. There is a lot of knowledge in the building which is something we want to showcase as well.
I think for us to succeed we need to be socially are and involved with the Leeds community, which is very doable because of planned workshops etc.
Octomuffin
Octomuffin are a company based in the south of the country. They seem like a young company due their branding. The tone of voice on their website is very laid back and friendly.
It mainly concentrates on clothing printing and accessories. So this company isn't into the same stuff as us, it's more commercial.
Belfast Print Workshop
The company offers workshops at £65 a day which includes costs for materials and inks.
They also get involved with their community and charity work. This would be a good idea for our company, partly to help engage the public and also to get our name around.
They are publicly funded from Art Council Northern Ireland and get annual funding from Belfast City Council - this is good to know and needs researched, to see if we can get publicly funded or some help.
Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising, London
While looking at places to go in London after the V+A trip, I came across this museum. We decided to go before the V+A so we could go the Natural History Museum straight after.
This was a very interesting museum to look through. It was incredibly dense, full from celling to floor of old packaging and advertising. There was cases that showed the development of brand identity through the years.
Photos weren't allowed, however I snuck a few but they're not the best quality.
Something Interesting
I always notice type and old packaging that I think looks interesting or like this piece amazing. This tea tin caught my eye at my friends and I think it so good to look at. Th flourishes are detailed, the shapes on the letters and the cross bars have indivual movement. It gives a very rich identity to this tea. Being an antique piece it was great to look at because this was the true style of that era.
My Brand Drawing
There was a design at the back of the book that caught my eye. The designer is South African based Fanakalo company. They are quite similar to Stranger and Stranger, and that's probably why I was drawn to this piece.
The dot work really enhances the shapes and depth of the type. I am a massive fan of old traditional looking type so wanted to develop this idea into my own brand. I've written just my initials because my whole in this style wouldn't look good.
My logo will look like this piece, my whole brand identity however, still needs to form but is being realised.
The dot work really enhances the shapes and depth of the type. I am a massive fan of old traditional looking type so wanted to develop this idea into my own brand. I've written just my initials because my whole in this style wouldn't look good.
My logo will look like this piece, my whole brand identity however, still needs to form but is being realised.
This is the general idea for my logo/identity. It needs work and some more forming but I really like it.
Monogram Logo Book - Inspiration and Research
This book is really helpful to look through when I want to design something but not sure of the look. It has a lot of designers and design companies involved, so serves very well for an inspirational source. Looking further into the designers that are interesting has developed my personal brand identity recently.
Thursday, 5 February 2015
Taking Care of Business - Logo
The next task was to start designing. We set ourselves a task for all of us to draw up some logo designs, didn't what quality they were like. It allows for a lot of ideas and different designs, opening up further avenues for designing the manifesto etc.
These are the few ideas I sketched up
The hand rendered style is something I'm very interested in and works well for out company ethos. That traditional hand rendered techniques should be used a lot more.
Taking Care of Business - Final Manifesto
Manifesto
In this technology era we think it is important to value and practice the traditional methods as well as the digital ones. Here at print cellar we work closely with our clients creating work that both the clients and their audience will love. We take time over projects so that our principle of quality over quantity shines through.
Manifesto points
We believe collaboration is essential to unique and successful design
Working as a group of creatives in an open space allows us to share and develop our ideas further.
We strive to create personal design
We like to talk to our clients to fully understand their idea and design an appropriate good piece.
We design everything to the highest standard
We have a range of quality equipment, with industry standard paints and papers. We take time over a brief in order to create something the best of our ability.
We are a community
We work as a group, we teach as a group and we like to add to our group. We are committed to being involved in the local area, by offering workshops for any age.
We believe everyone should have the facilities available to be creative
We strive in teaching our methods
We do not idolise money
We love to print
In this technology era we think it is important to value and practice the traditional methods as well as the digital ones. Here at print cellar we work closely with our clients creating work that both the clients and their audience will love. We take time over projects so that our principle of quality over quantity shines through.
Manifesto points
We believe collaboration is essential to unique and successful design
Working as a group of creatives in an open space allows us to share and develop our ideas further.
We strive to create personal design
We like to talk to our clients to fully understand their idea and design an appropriate good piece.
We design everything to the highest standard
We have a range of quality equipment, with industry standard paints and papers. We take time over a brief in order to create something the best of our ability.
We are a community
We work as a group, we teach as a group and we like to add to our group. We are committed to being involved in the local area, by offering workshops for any age.
We believe everyone should have the facilities available to be creative
We do not idolise money
We love to print
Sunday, 1 February 2015
Taking care of Business - Possible Costings
This is the costings table we are keeping. Helen has written it up while Katie and I found prices.
There are still costings we need to work out such as ink and paper etc.
Looking at the print rooms in college helped us realise exactly what equipment we needed.
Taking care of Business - Questions for research
Range of screens
Size of screens and beds
How many inks and where from
Squeegees
Exposure thing
Frames and where from
Drying racks
Chemicals
Safety clothing
Aimee asked the questions at the print rooms and got this information
-What size are the print beds?
The ones they have in college are 1m x 1.61m (thats just the bed) we need to take in to consideration the metal clap that goes over the print bed and that adds an extra 0.5m onto width of the bed.
-How much does print beds cost?
They didn't know exactly how much they cost but they did give me an estimate of £1500
They said to check out Net Graph for costs
http://www.natgraph.co.uk/screenprinting-equipment/
-How many different types of paint are there?
For just printing on paper they use: system 3 acrylic
They said for industry we may need to consider using oil based paints but college don't as it is much harder to clean
-How much does the paint cost?
The system 3 paint costs £12 a pot
-How much is the exposer?
They have had there exposer for 16-17 years so don't really know exactly how much they would cost now but they gave me an estimate of £5000
They said that sometimes in industry they have a small room just for exposing with lights in so maybe we could consider a small room just for exposing the negatives
-How much are drying racks?
£220
-How much are frames?
They said to check out ebay, A4 would cost approximately £20
They purchase some of their frames and materials from Steve Woods
http://www.steve-wood.co.uk/
-What sort of chemicals are involved?
Bsolve and Bstrip (he didn't know the exact names of the chemicals)
They purchase all their chemicals from buckle berries (can't find anything online)
-Roughly how much would the chemicals cost?
£22 for 25l of stripping chemicals and £25 for 5l of solve
-What safety clothing would we need to wear?
Need protection for cleaning the screens including eye, ear and hand protection
Useful websites
http://www.steve-wood.co.uk/
http://www.natgraph.co.uk/screenprinting-equipment/
Size of screens and beds
How many inks and where from
Squeegees
Exposure thing
Frames and where from
Drying racks
Chemicals
Safety clothing
Aimee asked the questions at the print rooms and got this information
-What size are the print beds?
The ones they have in college are 1m x 1.61m (thats just the bed) we need to take in to consideration the metal clap that goes over the print bed and that adds an extra 0.5m onto width of the bed.
-How much does print beds cost?
They didn't know exactly how much they cost but they did give me an estimate of £1500
They said to check out Net Graph for costs
http://www.natgraph.co.uk/screenprinting-equipment/
-How many different types of paint are there?
For just printing on paper they use: system 3 acrylic
They said for industry we may need to consider using oil based paints but college don't as it is much harder to clean
-How much does the paint cost?
The system 3 paint costs £12 a pot
-How much is the exposer?
They have had there exposer for 16-17 years so don't really know exactly how much they would cost now but they gave me an estimate of £5000
They said that sometimes in industry they have a small room just for exposing with lights in so maybe we could consider a small room just for exposing the negatives
-How much are drying racks?
£220
-How much are frames?
They said to check out ebay, A4 would cost approximately £20
They purchase some of their frames and materials from Steve Woods
http://www.steve-wood.co.uk/
-What sort of chemicals are involved?
Bsolve and Bstrip (he didn't know the exact names of the chemicals)
They purchase all their chemicals from buckle berries (can't find anything online)
-Roughly how much would the chemicals cost?
£22 for 25l of stripping chemicals and £25 for 5l of solve
-What safety clothing would we need to wear?
Need protection for cleaning the screens including eye, ear and hand protection
Useful websites
http://www.steve-wood.co.uk/
http://www.natgraph.co.uk/screenprinting-equipment/
Taking Care of Business - Location and Name of business
Ness has found a location that is central and looks interesting. It is a building underneath the rail track and we think it would be a really good place for business.
It is cool looking and with exposed brickwork which follows a popular trend at the minute. The building is suitable because there is water supply, toilet and kitchen area and enough space to put in things such as exposure bed, screens and beds and jet wash etc.
Name for the business is Print Cellar because of the type of building we will be in.
Information of building
Arches 84-86 Railway Street, off Marsh Lane, Leeds, LS9
8HB
Property Reference: LDS25310
Town / City: Leeds
Type: Light Industrial, Warehousing, Storage, Office
Local Authority: Leeds City Council
Size: 3,156 sq ft (293 sq m)
Rent: £9,950 Per Annum + VAT (£830 per month)
Available from: January 2015
Deposit: £2487.50
It is cool looking and with exposed brickwork which follows a popular trend at the minute. The building is suitable because there is water supply, toilet and kitchen area and enough space to put in things such as exposure bed, screens and beds and jet wash etc.
Name for the business is Print Cellar because of the type of building we will be in.
Information of building
Arches 84-86 Railway Street, off Marsh Lane, Leeds, LS9
8HB
Property Reference: LDS25310
Town / City: Leeds
Type: Light Industrial, Warehousing, Storage, Office
Local Authority: Leeds City Council
Size: 3,156 sq ft (293 sq m)
Rent: £9,950 Per Annum + VAT (£830 per month)
Available from: January 2015
Deposit: £2487.50
Taking Care of Business - Writing a manifesto
Manifesto main points
We need to make sure our ideas and reasons for choosing a screen printing business venture is valid. Teach
Be a service
Involve
Promote traditional design methods
1. Everyone should have a chance to be creative
2. We value traditional methods of design and want to promote them
3. Anyone can be involved from novice to pro
4. Promise a high quality standard of work in a timely fashion
5. Hands on approach to the client
6. Personal design
We need to make sure our ideas and reasons for choosing a screen printing business venture is valid. Teach
Be a service
Involve
Promote traditional design methods
1. Everyone should have a chance to be creative
2. We value traditional methods of design and want to promote them
3. Anyone can be involved from novice to pro
4. Promise a high quality standard of work in a timely fashion
5. Hands on approach to the client
6. Personal design
Taking care of business - Idea
IDEA
Competition - Rossington St, Colours May Vary, print businesses that sell prints. We will compete by giving the opportunity for customers to print their own work, do everything from scratch. We also can design for businesses.
Things to get -
Space
Screen printing studio -
We teach people to screen print, evening and weekend work shops
-Membership
-Evening classes
-Online shop
-Exhibition shape
-T-shirts
Skills and Services - Screen printing, design work, screens, studio space
Target - Students, schools, local businesses needing print, people who are interested in screen printing and people with disposable income
Competition - Rossington St, Colours May Vary, print businesses that sell prints. We will compete by giving the opportunity for customers to print their own work, do everything from scratch. We also can design for businesses.
Things to get -
Space
screens
ink
squeegee
cleaning products
exposure box
jet wash
emulsion
table space
computers
printers
aprons
Seating
Tea & coffee
Kettle
Spoons
Rent, electricity, water, gas
Structure of the studio -
Structure of the studio -
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)