The Colour Mill Swansea Graphic Design, Web Design & Illustration, from The Colour Mill.

Whilst doing some freelance design work recently, I was roped into becoming a ‘model’ for a promotional photo-shoot. (Its not the first time either, maybe I should consider a career change? ;)

I’d been working with Swansea based design consultancy James Good on some illustrations. Whilst there, they had begun developing an idea in social enterprise into a fully fledged business opportunity.

Bubble Squeak is their creation; a “no frills car cleaning brand” that will “give people the confidence to get themselves out and earning”

Before I knew it I was out on the road with the James Good gang (including photographer Thom Hayes). I was dressed head-to-toe in their new Bubble Squeak uniform and posing with a bucket and sponge. Good job it was a glorious day in sunny Swansea!

Congratulations to me, The Colour Mill is one year old! To celebrate I’m ordering some new parts for the a brand new computer which should speed things up around here and help me get those designs out faster in more style.

Fable © Lionhead Studios

There’s another great looking amperSAND event this month.

This time Andrew Lindsay, Animation Director at Lionhead Studios talks about ‘Game Animation, Art and Technology’, covering the following questions;

• How do artists and animators work within the parameters set by the tech., do those parameters restrict or inspire us?
• What implications does ‘playability’ have for the things we create?
• Can the balance between the two (tech and art) be managed in favour of the art?

The event takes place at Swansea Metropolitan University’s School of Digital Media on Wednesday 22nd April.

Hopefully see you there!

Find out more about amperSAND events here.

I recently completed an internship programme at Swansea Print Workshop, a not for profit company in Swansea that is run by volunteers and a few members of staff.  Professional artists, amateurs and school children are invited there for fine art printmaking courses (such as Collograph, Cyanotype and Linocut) and open access to the facilities.

My time there was spent learning about traditional printing techniques such as Photo Screenprint and arts administration training in Marketing, Publicity and Image Library Organisation.

Read the rest of this entry »

I designed this email newsletter for Discount Fire Supplies an online supplier of fire alarm equipment, based in Swansea.

The design was optimised and tested so that it was compatible with a wide range of online, desktop and mobile email clients.

The campaign was sent using an online tool that allowed the client to login and view a report, including information on who’s opened the email and who’s followed the links.

The Design Council has recently published an article on the importance of design during economic down turns.

It takes an interesting look at how design has improved the profits of organisations and industries using examples like the exports industry in 1830s Britain, the making of the original King Kong and the Apple iPod.

“The record shows that in economic downturns, investing in design is not a luxury, it’s a competitive necessity.”

You can read Good design is an upward sales curve on the Design Council website (but you will need to register first).

In an effort to give back to the community and to support a cause that is not only worthwhile but also looks like a lot of fun, I’ve decided to donate money to the Swansea Community Farm. I’m told that the amount given will keep the chickens in feed for a month, so it seemed only natural to pop over to the farm and meet the beneficiaries.

Thanks to Kari and Phil for sorting out the photo shoot and of course to the chicken for posing so patiently. Hopefully next time I’ll get stuck in with some hard work and get my hands dirty.

http://www.swanseacommunityfarm.org.uk/

Well the weather’s gotten colder and Autumn is definitely here.

So, I thought it was about time to update this website’s design by adding some seasonal colours into the mix. Gone is the fresh green grass from the background, instead we’ve got some crisp red leaves and a deep orange bar along the top.

Looking forward to tasty pumpkin soup and bonfires!

Hi, Just a quick note to let you know that I’m back in the office and ready to take on new graphic design projects.

Please get in touch to discuss your ideas.

The Colour Mill will be closed until 23 July. Please leave me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I get back.

http://www.thecolourmill.co.uk/contact-me/