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 :)

Phillipe died. It wasn't glorious, or painful. He just looked sad for a couple of days and then I guess he'd had enough of swimming around a tiny bowl. Perhaps Starck is a little less philosophic about his situation and so doesn't feel the need to die.

Enough about the fish anyway. This week has been the first week of proper work on my course. I'm glad... it finally feels like i'm here for a proper purpose other than partying. So far this week we have been drawing and drawing and drawing. I have filled an A3 sketchbook in a week! I have enjoyed it though, drawing is definitely one of my favourite parts of design. I never want to see a yellow pepper or a fir cone again though!

I also took the opportunity this week to look around the Mackintosh building as part of my research for Historical and Critical studies. I think the building is beautiful and will provide me with lots of inspiration in the years to come. I especially enjoy sitting in the Mackintosh Library, it is an amazing piece of design, both architecturally and in a sense of design of the room and it's contents.

Last week our course went on a team bonding trip involving mountain biking, rock climbing and rafting. It was great fun and also a great way to get to know some of my peers, as I think we will all be supporting each other in our work at GSA.

This weekend will be about organising myself... a lecture last week has motivated me into keeping a blog/twitter page as a way of promoting ourselves as designers and creating opportunities through getting in touch with other designers and artists, so expect lots more blogging!

Last night my flatmate Anna and I went to an acoustic session at a bar called 'nicensleazy's' in Glasgow... it is really much nicer than it's name suggests! The music was pretty good, and a nice change from all of the trance music around here. 

Today was studio 'pimping' day... to my delight this involved shopping for things to fill our studio space with and make it our own. Rather than pound shop crap I went and bought 2 goldfish :D now named Phillipe and Stark, although I doubt they will live for long.  Now I am about to venture to the PRimary pub in the West end to join the mountaineering club from Glasgow uni... and tomorrow is the riding club taster session, something i am going to have to skive lectures for... seeing as i NEVER skive I'm slightly worried, but i guess that shows how much i love riding! So yea, I suppose I will see how that goes.

ok, so i'm going to give this whole 'blog' thing a go, seeing as I constantly fail to keep a diary...

So I just moved to Glasgow, to start a course in Product Design at the Glasgow School of Art, I can't yet quite get my head around the fact that I am not on holiday, and that I wont be going home for a considerable amount of time. Whilst my family are missing me though, I am having too much fun to miss home yet, I'm sure it will set in the next week or so though.

Glasgow at first is a buzzing city, there are tons of shops, bars, students and art galleries to encounter. I really need to dedicate some time to experiencing the city outside of Sauchiehall Street! I also wish to paint, do photography, and truly become myself (if that makes sense) whilst I am here.

Fairy lights, a space hopper, my new friend Anna, and crunchy nut cornflakes have all helped me survive my first week alone in the wider world... I am increasingly excited about the weeks to come!