The Swiss Font

We were shown a documentary by Gary Hustwit in our class on Monday called 'Helvetica'. I'm one of those people who try to avoid using that typeface, even if the situation calls for a simple, direct font. I don't like the idea of using something that's been so over-used everywhere you look. The film was really interesting, and it was nice to see designers trying to pinpoint why Helvetica works, and is so popular. It did make me appreciate the typeface more, but i'd still be reluctant to use it. Shame our first project comes with the restriction of working only in Helvetica.

If you can track down the film, it's definitely worth a watch. Here's a clip of Erik Spiekermann talking about his love of type.

A Short Pause

**Please excuse the severe lack of blogging, my new flat is still without internet **

Eat, Pray, Love...Talk?

In my usual fashion of ambling unremittingly along behind the rest of the world, i have discovered Ted Talks, or been introduced to them i should say. The video below is of a talk given by Elizabeth Gilbert (author of 'Eat Pray Love'). I absolutely loved her book, which i read this time last year, and was a bit apprehensive about watching her give her talk. I had an image in my mind of how she should talk & be, and didn't want that ruined. Luckily she seems perfectly nice and witty, and i really quite enjoyed my first Ted Talk.

I loved the bit where she talked about the poet Ruth Stone, describing how a poem charges up on you and you have to rush to find a pen and paper to write everything down. I love that feeling. 

Who would you want to see a talk by?

September Flu

I am a victim. For the last couple of days i have been a disgusting human being, unable to be upright for longer than 15 minutes without feeling largely sick. My weeks plans of moving into my flat and finishing my summer project have been scuppered and i'm feeling thoroughly fed up. I haven't felt very inspired over the last few days, but today i've found a couple of things that have caught my eye. 

i really love this tshirt from ugmonk

suitcase chairs by Katie Thompson 

Move In, Move On

Forwards hopefully. It's been a long long summer (i use the term loosely). I haven't been at university since May, and feel very caught up in village life. At first it was nice to move out of the busy studenty town, back to my parents' house in the countryside, but now i'm starting to feel the itch to get away. I miss rushing around, having an active week, making last minute plans because most places are open at all hours.  I miss the neon lights of the Curry Mile, and catching buses without having to wait longer than 5 minutes. I miss living with friends, who are open to impromptu dressing up games, drinking, going out yomping, or even the odd face painting. I've noticed that during the last few weeks i've spent in the countryside, i've found myself agreeing to do mundane things at silly hours in the night, just because i crave the freedom, not because i particularly feel like doing anything. I miss having the option. This week i will move back to my university flat. I can't wait. 

 
the park outside my flat

Here's to a good week.

PaperGirl

Paper Girl is an art project that originated in Berlin, and is being held in Manchester this autumn, for the UKs first outing. Artists donate work to be rolled up and distributed in the style of American paper-boys, by bike. Each piece of the publication holds a random choice of 4 images by the represented artists and is printed on various papers e.g. news print. This means that no two rolls are the same, and you could be receiving original art, photographs, prints or text.

The organisers say that, "Giving the work out by bike means that there is no time for any stereotypes when choosing recipients of the pieces. You have to react fast and spontaneously. Chance plays its part."

The original Papergirl in Berlin via OhComely

The Papergirl Manchester exhibition will be held at Soup Kitchen from 1st October to 21st October in association with Manchester Free for Arts Festival 2010. The exhibition launch is on the 30th September at 7pm, i might see if i can wangle myself an invitation.

See more about PaperGirl Manchester here.

Oh Comely

I arrived at the train station 20 minutes before my train was set to leave, so i had a wonder round some of the shops, banning myself from spending any money. In the magazine section of WHSmiths i saw this new, stark addition to the shelves, and immediately picked it up and flicked through. I loved everything about it, the uncluttered layout, the page numbering, and the content isn't half bad too. It focuses on creativity rather than money and what it can buy, according to the website. It's full of quirky little illustrations and ideas, and is most definitely worth splashing out the £4 on.

Missing You?

Have you ever been on a train, or in a cafe or anywhere really, and struck up conversation with someone, even if it was only a sentence or two exchanged, and later wished you had found out their name? There's this website called Craigslist, where people post little messages in the 'missed connections' section, to those who they wish they could bump into again. Illustrator Sophie Blackall picks through theses messages and illustrates the ones she finds the most interesting, the ones with most story potential. 

In an interview she said, "I'm always wondering what's going on inside people's heads, and 'missed connections' posts give me the opportunity. I'm sure other people are drawn to them for the same reasons, but i think on some subliminal level there's a vague desire to recognise ourselves as the person missed." 

Can you imagine finding a 'missed connections' post that was meant for you?

Street Photography

Today i feel like going out and taking photos of people i don't know like Markus Hartel. I love these ones taken on the subway in New York.

I think i might go into town this afternoon with my old camera and try and take a few.

**Guest Post **Rachel**

Hi I’m Rachel, Zoey has mentioned me a couple of times, she likes to pick my fruit. Anyway I was invited to do a guest blog and to lose my blogging virginity. A few days ago, I decided it would be a good idea to document all of my artwork that is worthy of keeping. 

I hope to diversify and improve as I continue, recently I've developed a liking for harbour paintings since my holiday in cornwall.

Well it was short and sweet , there is my first blog. Thanks Zo Bo.

Banana Loaf

Ingredients:
200g  sugar 
114g butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda 
15ml. vanilla essence
60g of yogurt
2 or 3 very brown and soft bananas
195g plain flour (i used wheat free flour)
1 tsp. salt 

Preheat your oven to 350 F/180C.

Cream sugar and butter. Add the eggs and stir. Mix the baking soda into your yogurt. Add the yogurt to the mix. Add bananas that have been mashed lightly. Add vanilla, and salt. Slowly add the flour and incorporate well. If you are adding nuts or anything else mix those in by hand.

Lightly grease your baking pan. Pour mixture in. Bake for 50-60 minutes for a loaf. Poke in a metal skewer to check the mixtures not gooey in the middle.

It tastes wonderful if you warm it through before eating and melt some butter on top.

Last of the Summer