Then we did a 2 week project about mood boards and product semantics. I found this one of the most interesting things we have done so far. Semantics tend to be something people notice subconsciously however there's a lot more involved than I had originally thought. This project also gave me the perfect opportunity to brush up on my photoshop skills! I really enjoyed the group that I worked in for this too, we were all quite strong minded but I think this resulted in a better finished piece. We also did a colour workshop with visual communications as part of this. I really enjoy working with colour, and although we weren't taught much theory behind colour combinations, I think this is something I will consider more deeply when using colour in design from now on.

Coming back after Christmas has been hard, we've had lots of work to do and the weather here is not very inspiring!

The first week back we did a project based on typography, studying vernacular and corporate signs. I found this project really interesting as it made me notice things that I would not necessarily have considered before. Our group played with the idea of changing around a masculine and feminine sign, considering this was a 2 day project I was fairly pleased with the results!

ok, so I haven't posted in a while... just haven't had the energy!

the slip-casting project went really well, I ended up making fruit shaped ceramic pots to grow herbs in, in the kitchen with limited space. I'm fairly pleased with the result and enjoyed the process. I think its good that Product Designers get to do ceramics as it adds another tool to our boxes :) and they look good as finished products. I've named my product the 'Pompot' as originally I based the design on a pomegranate, then made a melon and a quince. They have a function where they can be tipped to be watered and the water drains out, then they can be put back onto their base which is solid, thus preventing water leakage. I want people to use these pots by growing kitchen herbs in fruit bowls or on kitchen work-tops, this is both a sustainable and healthy thing to do. That's the idea anyway... we get a review on tuesday.

Today we were briefed on our next project, and I'm excited already. The project is based on slipcasting... a new process to me so it should be interesting. We have to redesign or create a batch of ceramic products... whether it be a cup or a teapot or a jug or something entirely new. Simplicity is key, and the project is to be finished by Christmas. It will be good to be allowed complete creative freedom, and so I have lots of ideas forming already :)

I've been in Glasgow for almost 2 months now... I went home last week for a reading week (I did SOME reading... honest!) It was great to see everyone and my home felt so much nicer than I had remembered it, and of course I was asked a million questions about uni from various inquisitive relatives and friends. Going home has only made me feel more homesick now I'm back in Glasgow though! I hope it goes away soon... this project should keep me bust enough to take my mind off it.

Oh yea, started an Italian class yesterday... It's a beginner's Italian class as I am hoping to possibly go to Milan as part of my course in a couple of years so I thought I would start learning the lingo early. It's good fun although I keep trying to speak French accidentally... they are fairly similar.

anyway... arrivederci!

I'm totally and utterly exhausted... I've just spent the last 14 hours working in my sketchbook and I'm covered in marker pen and pencil. But I love my new project. We have been put into groups of mixed disciplines, for example I am in a group with an architect, painter, photographer, jewellery designer etc... which in my opinion makes the project more interesting and varies as each person has different strengths to draw upon. The project is based on the 'Nooks and Crannies' of Glasgow, and our group has been given an artwork called 'Empire', by Douglas Gordon in 1997, It is currently hidden away on Tontine Lane, in Merchant City. It is an interesting work as it has strong links with cinema, Alfred Hitchcock (a good excuse to watch his films!) and reflection/mirrors. As a group we decided to make a short film based on the themes we have explored around the 'Empire' sign. Here is my 7th of the finished film... themes here include repetition, 'Vertigo', 'Psycho', CCTV taken from the film 'Red Road', and images from the location of 'Empire'. 

As an individual response to the project I have taken a series of photographs, based on Douglas Gordon's Warhol inspired work, where he used 'screen tests' 1964 to influence his own short films that demonstrate 'the passing of time'. I am taking a similar approach where I photographed my friend Anna discovering the 'Empire' sign for the first time, almost like CCTV footage yet like stills from a film as I used the camera on continuous, so I get a flick-book type effect. I also took several photos of the sign in a mirror, so many reflections of the same image are created.

We are due to finish working on this 2 week project on Wednesday, I have really enjoyed working in a group as it's a great way of generating more ideas as well as meeting new people from different areas of the Art School.

I've been in Glasgow for a whole month now, and I'm still having an amazing time. It feels good to finally be doing some studio work, it now seems like I have a real purpose for being here other than making new friends! 

We've just finished the first two week project, involving drawing organic forms and making models. I have filled about 50 pages of A3 in 7 days, so it hasn't been all laid back. I have found the work fairly challenging but I felt that I rose to the challenge well. I have learnt lots of more diagrammatical drawing skills as apparently my work is too illustrative en ce moment. I have also been encouraged into thinking more mathematically about the subject of my drawing and really understanding it (did you know a pine cone has 13 spirals in one direction and 8 the other??) which has been hard but also very valuable for my design work. I will post pictures of some of my work when I have it back from the studio. :) 

Next week we start a 2 week project where we are working in groups of mixed disciplines, as in I will be working with an architect, sculptor, painter etc... which should make it interesting. The project is based on Glasgow's 'nooks and crannies' and I'm quite excited to start.

Other than working I've been horse riding, enjoying Glasgow's nightlife and eating deep fried mars bars (they're soo good! :)

These photos were taken by my photographer flat-mate Anna Harty... check her blog too (although she has people who actually follow her!) I will eventually I'm sure :)