Have you ever loved and lost a strudel?

Last year I was reminiscing about some delicious apple strudel I ate in Italy, and I decided to write a song about it. It was my first attempt at 'animation', which I created using multiple images created in Photoshop. I then recorded myself singing the lyrics, to the tune of "Have You Ever" by S Club 7. Although very rough around the edges (particularly on the singing front!), it makes me chuckle...

Project Brief 4_Collections

For our 4th brief we were to create a 'catalogue' of a collection of our choice. I chose 'Corks' as my collection, mainly because I remember my sister having a collection (bizarre) and I think they are hugely underrated (in terms of visual appeal). It saddens me to think that corks are on their way out, to be replaced by 'plastic' alternatives. Therefore I wanted to present corks in their finest and remind the world what they're leaving behind! I chose a format where I could focus on pure imagery- presenting the corks in a 'larger-than-life' scenario. The reader can then open up the pages to reveal information about each cork and which country it comes from. I covered the front of my booklet in cork sheet, and used small squares of cork within the spreads to add texture and interest to the design.

Sonic The Hedgehog: Birthday Zone

Again for my boyfriend's birthday, I decided to make him a 'pop-up' card based on one of our favourite Sega Games- Sonic the Hedgehog. I created the background and foreground on Photoshop based on screen-shots of the game, then created a 'groove' on the platform for Sonic/Jonny to run along. The idea was that he was running along his 'life so far', starting from birth (1989) and finishing on the present, his 21st birthday (2010). I recreated the Sonic Logo/splash screen using his face, and used squared paper on the front to mimic the covers of the old Sega Master System game boxes. I also tried to mimic the 'Happy Birthday' font used for the Master System logo. This was a very complicated design, and the 'pull-along' system could have been developed, but I think it really worked as 3D!

Dreamcast/Dreamcake

For my boyfriend's 21st birthday I decided to make him a cake (cakes), based on the Dreamcast - a games console from his childhood. I used roll-out icing onto chocolate sponge cakes, then used a pearl lustre powder to create a sheen effect! I then used extra icing and icing pens to add the details. I originally bought Skittles for the buttons on the controller, then later discovered that there is no blue skittle!! ("Skittles- Taste the Rainbow. Except Blue.") So I hastily bought some Smarties last minute! (Apologies for the poor photography - I had to take the photos quickly before carefully transporting it to him on a train!)

Jen in Twenty-one-derland...

This is the invitation I created for my 21st birthday party which will be in December! It's Alice in Wonderland theme, and I'm looking forward to making costumes and decorations!

Chinese Dress

I bought this Chinese dress from a vintage sale, as I absolutely love Chinese fabric! It was too large and I felt it was too formal for everyday wear, so decided to amend it...

I cut off the top of the dress just above the zip, and gathered the front together. I then added some straps made out of the cut-off top. Due to shortening the dress, there was a big [revealing!] slit up the side, so I used the reverse side of the cut-off fabric behind...

Dream_Potato Demon

28/01/2009

I'm walking towards an escalator in a train station, and there is a man in front of me. Suddenly somebody throws a knife at his neck, but it doesn't bleed it just oozes a transparent liquid- almost like cutting into a potato. I realise then that he is a 'Potato Demon'. I hurry across the train station to find a man called John. He is standing at the other side of the platform, so I can't get to him. I can't find the words to say to him, so I just hold up a photograph of a Potato Demon. He knows that I have discovered my duty as the slayer, and he is my watcher.

Project Brief 3_Format/Grid

For this project we were to design a leaflet for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We were given restrictions of no bigger than A3, and made from one sheet of paper only; other than that we were left to our own devices. I decided upon an unusual fold which, when folded, would reveal a 'taster' of what was on the reverse. I wanted the leaflet to be something sentimental as opposed to something just disregarded as soon as the festival was over. The 'poster' side of the leaflet was achieved by creating my layout digitally, and then hand-drawing over the lettering to give a more personal feel. Typography is something I usually shy away from, so this was a bold approach for me!

Dream_Psychological Paracetamol

03/08/2010

I am on the phone to my friend's mum. She says she could do with some paracetamol, as she has back pain. I offer to take some for her over the phone- "It's only psychological, anyway" I say. I swallow three tablets, but have great difficulty.

Project Brief 2_The Given Grid

For my last project I was to design a book spread for the graphic design company 'The Partners'. Using a 5-column grid, I created a spread which hopefully reflects the company effectively. I emphasised the playful nature of the 'curly bracket' used in The Partners' logo, whilst maintaining the professional feel by sticking to key colours. I was surprised at how much time and effort goes into designing a spread, how important the tiny details are, and how easy it is to get it wrong. I was pleased with my first attempt at editorial design!

What's up Pussy Cat

Some cats that I met on my journey...

Cats Protection

I bought some items from a Cats Protection charity shop, and was given this plastic bag. I thought it was a great use of humour and an effective way of making use of both sides of the bag.

Gingerbread Wishes

These images were created for a friend's belated birthday card. I baked the gingerbread men and iced them (the top image is a portrait of the recipient!) I then photographed the biscuits and cropped them accordingly.

Birthday Jumpers

For two of my friend's 21st birthdays, I decided to customise them both a jumper. I drew out the images, scanned them in and added colour digitally. I then used iron-on paper to transfer them to the jumper. I sewed on buttons around the images as a contrast to the 2D graphics...

'Traditional Photography' Module_Project 2 Finals

These are the final pieces for the front and back cover of my CD. I did selective masking on the front photograph, adding a sepia tone to all of the image but leaving the hand in grey-scale. I did the same for the back; leaving the drum pure black so that it contrasted with the white text. I used an acetate overlay to expose everything but the text.

'Traditional Photography' Module_Project 2

My second project for the traditional photography module was to design an CD or DVD cover. I decided to take photographs of 'potential artists' in various settings...

'Traditional Photography' Module_Project 1

During my first year of university I took part in an optional 'Traditional Photography' module. I was taught all the basics of using an SLR film camera, developing and printing using traditional techniques and adding tone and colour. These photographs are from my first project, titled "A Journey". They are taken at various points along the River Eden in Carlisle.

I used a Pentax MX with Black and White film. I did all the developing by hand and have not digitally manipulated the images...