Kunsthaus Tacheles

In the old Jewish quarter of Berlin stands the ex-Nazi prison, now known as The Kunsthaus Tacheles (Yiddish for 'Straight Talking'). The building was close to demolition in the early 90s, but artists from the area convinced those in charge that it was an historic landmark that should be saved. Since then it has housed hundreds of artists and performers, and become a creative space for art to thrive. We scouted it out on Friday morning, and sadly arrived before all the five floors were open. We got to have a walk round inside though, and amongst the graffitied walls and broken windows, lay little studios with artwork spilling out into the corridors. There was an exciting atmosphere surrounding the building, it had a real buzz to it. The lease to the building ran out in 2008, so the future of Tacheles is yet unknown, it would be such a shame for it to go.

The Guardian have a good tour video here.

Back to Blighty

Back from my Berlin adventure, with plenty of stories, memories and photos. I had a wonderful time exploring the city and seeing so much history. Even the sub zero temperatures (highs of -1) did not deter our chilled bodies from having fun. We did too much to tell you about in one post, so over the week i'll post in more detail. For now, i'll leave you with my top 3, while i try and return the feeling of warmth to my extremities.

1. Museum Fur Fotografie

On a recommendation from a tutor, we decided to visit on Thursday afternoon. There was an exhibition on of the life and work of Helmut Newton, and the whole of upstairs was taken up by photographs taken by his wife, who works under the name of Alice Springs. Her work stood out to me, it made me want to leave the exhibition half way through and go outside to take pictures. It was the most inspiring thing that happened on the trip. On the off chance you're in Berlin, GO.

2. R.S.V.P and STOKX

Two shops. One for stationery, one for books. We spent about an hour (or possibly more) in each, over numerous visits. Both were like Aladdin's cave, filled with handmade treasures waiting to be bought. Those who appreciate these kind of places will understand that no more needs to be said, you just have to go. I bought a beautiful card and envelope from R.S.V.P with the intention of posting it home, but i couldn't bring myself to write in it just yet. Will post a picture soon.

3. Walking Tour of the City

On Tuesday morning, layered up and raring to go, the group went on a three hour walking tour of the city in -8 degrees. It was a bit of a shock to the system, and took a while to get used to that kind of dry cold, but the sun was out and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Our tour guide did brilliantly at keeping us all interested despite the cold, and showed us some fantastic sights around the city, whilst telling us about the history of the area too. It was very eerie to walk over Hitler's bunker, and the Holocaust memorial site was breathtaking. If you go to the city, i think a walking tour is far better introduction that a tour bus ride, although maybe go when it's a tad warmer.

Wonderful holiday

**Guest Post**Rachel**

I’ve been invited to do another guest blog and the first and ONLY thing that came to my mind is not so surprising...FOOD. Frozen yoghurt to be more precise! I have recently discovered Yoo Moo.

Yummy flavours of frozen yoghurt with a choice of ‘naughty’ or ‘nice’ toppings. My favourites so far are strawberry yoghurt with raspberries and dark chocolate buttons  (feeling light and summery) and chocolate yoghurt with brownies and chocolate buttons (when I feel a sugar coma necessary).

I definitely recommend having a look at the website or hunting one down. Bon Appetit!

Berlin

I am flitting off to the wonderful city of Berlin today with my graphic design chums. I haven't been since i was thirteen so i'm really looking forward to discovering more about the city. 

Expect many photos on my return.

Packing

i wouldn't mind packing if my suitcase and contents looked like this...

As much as i'm looking forward to going away tomorrow, i can't feel excited until i've got passed the packing. I hate packing, the only thing worse is unpacking when you come home. I've been so busy this week thinking about various Topman feedback sessions, and Ian Anderson hand-in dates, Berlin has sort of crept up on me. It's going to be very very cold (highs of minus numbers), and i feel the cold. There might have to be a cheeky hot-water-bottle-down-the-top manoeuvre, or else my extremities will drop off. I'm really looking forward to being a bit of a history geek, and going round all the museums and seeing the sights. Get ready for absolute tourist-mode.

p.s Is it wrong to want to lay everything out that i'm packing, in a neat, folded, organised way and photograph it before i actually pack it? I might do that...

Project 2.4

**New YCN Brief**

Devise an integrated campaign for one of Ted Baker's product licence collections: eyewear, footwear, watches or fragrances.

Thimble of Hope

We were treated to a lecture by Lucy May Schofield this afternoon, a nice lady who, amongst many other things,  makes lovely books. It was nice to listen to someone who finds inspiration from so many different places. I am in awe of anyone who can present to a room full of people, and come across so laid back and genuine. She seemed to have no hesitations in telling us about quite personal moments in her work, which was quite disarming. I wish i could be this honest sometimes. It made me want to start making beautiful things about trivial moments.

Weekend Yomps

Yesterday morning Big P and i had planned to go for a countryside yomp (yomp: enthusiastic walk, lots of arm swinging and kendal mint cake). The weather turned out to be fairly perfect (cold but dry) and despite feeling fairly full of cold, we set off up to our starting point, Teggs Nose. The route was to be a nice 9 mile loop that took us through Macclesfield Forrest, and up unnecessarily large hills. It stayed dry until the last mile, which incidently turned out to be very uphill, when it decided to hail. All in all a very nice, semi-demanding yomp that cleared the cobwebs and highlighted just how unfit father and daughter are.

 Shuttlingsloe: the unnecessarily large hill

Adventures in Moving Image

Last night, a few of the troopers on the course headed out to an evening lecture given by Shane Walter from One Dot Zero, held at the Manchester Conference Centre. I wasn't hugely familiar with their work, but ever interested, i went along. It was a really inspiring lecture, Shane seemed easy going, and spoke really well. It was amazing seeing the range of work the company has under its belt, and it wasn't surprising that he had trouble describing One Dot Zero in a nutshell. At the end of the talk, Shane gave us a list of things that he had learnt over the years in the business, which i thought was a nice touch. Some of the advice served as little reminders for me, such as 'Travel' and i especially liked 'Make friends, not contacts'. Here's a video of some of their work at the V&A museum, but you should really visit their website to get a better idea of what they do.

Dippy Eggs & Reflection

Today is the first day i've had off uni in a while, where there is no pressing work to be done. It's lovely. I've spent the morning in my (Man Candy's) dressing gown, writing up notes for my journal, with a black coffee at hand. I think it's good to reflect every now and then, it puts things that previously seemed horrifically important in perspective. To accompany this steady paced Wednesday morning, the Man Candy is making Dippy Eggs with Soldiers.

photo from kiss my spatula

Everyone has their own prefered method of making dippy eggs, what's yours? Mine is from a Jamie Oliver recipe, which starts with the egg in cold water and is gently heated up on the hob over ten minutes, with the last 2.5 minutes at a rolling boil. On the hob at home, it works every time.  

Project 2.4: Careless Design Campaign

Just a few images from our current project. They're part of a viral campaign to encourage designers to check their work before going to print, and raising awareness about how much paper is wasted through careless design. 

Doesn't the ink look lovely on this paper? If you look really closely you can see the really small bleed lines from the letters.

Chinese New Year

The year of the rabbit

Happy New Year! I am neither Chinese, or a rabbit, however i have included myself in this celebration by finding lots of nice rabbit related goodness.

Forgotten how much i love Peter Rabbit 

Open Graphics

*New Brief*

In groups, Create a viral movement amongst designers that links Arjowiggins Creative Papers with creativity and the creative design process.

Set by D&AD.