Dinosaurs can be festive

Yeah, so various projects remain in progress. And I can't blame it on seasonal festivities because I'm feeling quite the opposite in summery sunny NZ. I simply got distracted by drawing my new pet.. 

 .. And then by cutting and sticking lovely bits of paper into and around the shapes that my pencil makes..

It's not festive but it brings joy. Merry Christmas :)

Bridges

So a friend asked me to come up with a logo for his freelance consultancy work in the heritage / library / archiving world, incorporating the bridges that span the Tyne in Newcastle. Little did I know there were 5 bridges, but indeed there are! And so... I came up with the idea to arrange said bridges in a stacked formation, as if on a bookcase, drawing on relevant connotations around cataloguing, organisation and structure. Here's a neat and not so neat version, plus one with some colour and texture for added aesthetic appeal.

 

Abacaxi

Became a bit obsessed with this word during my (ongoing) attempt to learn Portuguese. And now I keep spotting them all over. So I had to join the club and draw one - in continuous line and digital collage - conveniently completed in time for a special person's birthday. Happy pineapple. 

Appreciated publicity...

Just a quick post to share that one of my lace machine drawings has popped up in the October edition of 'Choice' magazine.. with big thanks to Debbie Bryan :) See the image for a screenshot of the very page, which features work from the lovely Katie Almond too... 

Shiny Precious Mirrors...

These protectively-packaged, portable and practical yet pretty pocket mirrors are now available to buy here for only 3 little pounds!

Choose between a birthday appropriate cupcake, a blooming lovely flowery pattern, an up-to-date Aztec inspired design, an always beautiful butterfly or a perfect-for-your-pencil-case stationery design... 

Legs are out...

Well the sun is encouraging otherwise hidden body parts to be revealed.  And so to celebrate, I'd thought I'd share some simple life drawing from last year...

Dia de los Muertos Tattoo Design

I was recently asked to design a tattoo based on a day of the dead skull, incorporating stars and a butterfly into the illustration to compliment existing tattoos.  

Even though I'm somewhat averse to needles, I thought I'd have a go...  Especially considering the client would have to really like the result to consider etching it permanently onto their skin!  So this is the chosen version..

And here's another, played with to add some colour...

If I see the finished result (on skin) I'll upload that too...

My sticky notes need you...

It's been a happy illustration day today!  I discovered my office sticky note set, designed for Parragon last year, has been selected as a finalist in the 'Trendys' stationary awards.  If you could have a looksee here to vote, that would be muchos appreciated.  Pretty-please-with-a-cherry-on-top.  And thank you :)

Heads, shoulders, knees and toes...

Have seen a lot of knees and hips lately so am trying to learn all the associated boney bits. Decided doing a couple of simplified doodles might help the names stick in my brain a little more easily... even if they're not the most anatomically correct.

For some fantastical and rather more accurate medical illustration have a looksee here at work by degree compadre Arran Lewis.

My metronome is a bit stuck...

As a diversion from assignment (otherwise known as necessary procrastination), I decided to doodle a visual metaphor for occupational balance.  
Rather than scales which need even weight between two opposites, I figured a metronome was appropriate for the concept as it's grounded, swaying between activities, which has a feeling of serendipity...  Plus like life, it's constant, but can speed up or slow down to suit individuality.  I'm currently stuck on mental work, challenge and self-imposed solitude. 
Credit to AOTA (2008) and Finlay (2004) for some of the terms... not that I'm still in assignment mode or anything...

Bad day at the office?

These rough little illustrations were ideas created as starting points toward a final illustration and website layout for Louise Evans of My Life Genie, who offers a transformative, bespoke, business coaching service.  If you recognise yourself, banish those January blues, and get in touch with Louise to launch some new business resolutions... 

Post feasting activities...

Traditional competitive play with the family on Christmas Day...

Sticky Note Set...

Recently designed an office themed set of sticky notes for Parragon Books.  Was a great little project that has vastly improved by indesign software skills!  The set of 8 sticky notes (some of which are below) fit together in a rectangular block and will be presented in a tin with the above diecut label... making the perfect gift!  Can't wait to see the finished product in the shops!

 

Zizzi Fresh Talent...

Super-fresh exciting news... I'm one of five shortlisted in Zizzi's fresh talent competition! Eee!  I designed the plate above for their ‘deliciously stylish’ brief, with a hidden vegetable repeat pattern in a contemporary colour.  Inspired by traditional damask wallpaper, the design is intended to make any food look well-presented and sophisticated, whilst the vegetables in raw form link in with Zizzi’s use of fresh produce.... See the other delectable shortlisted entries here. And eee!