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My Blog
This blog will help clients and visitors see who I am as a designer. My thoughts, personal
interests and experiences within the design world.
Blog Post .1
21/04/2021
French Fred - Fred Mortagne
Photographer | Editorial Design
Fred Mortagne, better known as 'French Fred' is one of the most well respected photographers and videographers I have been following for years! Before starting university I created a local skateboard brand and really aspired to create similar skateboard photography and street photography.
This was my steppingstone, opening my eyes design and how I can take this passion further as a profession. what pulled me towards his work is the tone and style he chooses to shoot within the skateboarding culture. He was a major inspiration for me in my earlier days when I was developing my style and approach to design.
He has a master of exposure and the tonal quality in his images remind me of the Swiss International Style. The use
of angles and shadows really add a more abstract style within the photographs and make him stand out in the industry. He is one of the only photographers shooting in this style using older film cameras and focusing on competition, showing the culture behind skateboarding instead of to the brand sponsor or rider.
French Fred Instagram
Fred Mortagne has a series of photo-books titled 'Attraper Au Vol'. These books are fantastic example of his creative style and attitude towards design. Although he isn't a designer the editorial nature adopted to showcase his work is inspiring to say the least. The photo-books he has creates showcase not only his unique style of photography but also a more artistic approach to skateboard and how he chooses to represent it. The editorial designs applied to his magazines and books were heavily referenced in my early years as a photographer. I really responded to the clean black and white atheistic created by his photos and his is reflected in my own work. I have a very refined colour pallet and choose to work monochromatic or purely in black and white.
His photographic style and use of editorial techniques have undoubtably been a major inspiration to me in my carrier.
I have adopted techniques used in his Attraper Au Vol series and applied it to my own work, I created a brand titled Urban Ski Culture and created a magazine themed on the early Thrasher magazines from 2002. The idea of having a large full-scale photo pulled to the edge of the page as well as half covering the facing page was something I loved and I have applied to my own designs. I know this is a technique used by a lot of designers but the subtle tone he creates with his black and white images really stood out.
(An example below shows my interpretation of this design trait used in my USC magazine final piece)
Blog Post .2
23/04/2021
The Amalgamation of Creativity
Design | History | Identity
1959 poster, classical ballet, Giselle. By Armin Hofmann
I love to learn about the history of design. Researching and looking at design work from various different movements and influence from around the world; Art Nouveau, Modernism, Art Deco... but one style stood out to me.
The Swiss International Style really resonated with me as a designer as is the movement I feel I identify with the most.
The understanding of nuance and treatment of typography is what stood out to me as I enjoy minimalist design. My history in the creative world came from a primarily lens based medium as I studied to become a photographer and even worked with the British Film Academy before focusing on graphic design. Graphic design, is in my opinion the amalgamation of all my experience and knowledge
studying in other creative environments.
As a designer you have to understand the importance of composition and framing as well as being aware of mise-en-scène and pace when designing motion graphics of clients or businesses or even taking product shots.
The Swiss International Style stood or to me as I feel it features a strong visual representation of the subtleties within Italian Neo-realism cinema and I liked the creative freedom of some of the more collage style designs which appeals to my photographic nature. Having studied photography and cinematography for a number of years I believe my approach to design is unique. Applying skills and techniques from my past experiences to deliver a more rounded design experience for my clients. Being able to sculpt and shape every aspect of their brand identity.
Above are two examples of my work which I have multi-industry influences. The photo on the right is an example of my socio-political dissertation which features acetate pages which I first started experimenting with through photography and projection. The image on the right is a more stylised shot I took which was used in a magazine and social media for Ritas Belfast. This photographic style was actually influenced by the Giselle Swiss piece designed by Armin Hofmann shown above. We are forever changing as designers and people, carrying our experiences and lessons with us which influence our work and attitude towards design. This is important to me and something I wish to never lose as I feel pride in being individual and having a unique approach to every design I make.
Blog Post .3
26/04/2021
JR
Photographer | Impact
Being a designer I draw influence for an array of different sources. One of my favourite photographers Jean René, better known as simply named JR.
He is a self-described "photograffeur" he flyposts large
black-and-white photographic images in public locations as he states that the street is "the largest art gallery in the world." He started out on the streets of Paris and has travelled the world creating political pieces from the slums
of Africa to the streets of Los Angeles.
His social commentary work shown to the right is some of the most impactful pieces and is what got me interested in his work as a photographer. Again he uses a style which I like primarily printing black and white I think this really helps his work stand out in relation to his environment / natural studio. I also aspire to create large scale designs and have the ability to go flyposting to showcase my designs in such an eye catching style out in the public.
JR Instagram
Like Fred Mortagne, JR also has a photo-book showcasing his work. His book is titled The Wrinkles Of The City. The Wrinkles of the City project presented in various cities around the world where “wrinkles”, human as well as architectural murals, can be found. JR pasted in Cartagena, Spain (2008), Shanghai, China (2010), Los Angeles, USA (2011), La Habana, Cuba (2012, in collaboration with US artist José Parlá), Berlin (2013) and Istanbul (2015). This is one of the most ambitious projects I have ever seen which commented on the degradation of city buildings. He would photograph people from the local areas and paste them on these broken walls as he likened the old buildings to wrinkles on in a cities face.
I was commissioned to design a promotional leaflet for a local business called Ravine, it was to be a small 16 page booklet talking about what they offer and the ethos behind the business. Having seen JR's photo-book with square template and full page photography it inspired me when creating the Ravine leaflet. The booklet is shown below and you can clearly see my artistic inspiration deciding to make my booklet square and feature a strong photographic visual tone.
(An example below shows my Ravine Booklet Design inspired by JR)
Blog Post .4
01/05/2021
Why Editorial Design?
Design | Identity | Passion
Why editorial design? I started working on editorial designs back when I was studying photography creating my own series of photo-books. I then began learning that I am more of a graphic designer than a photographer. I found that building the booklets and magazines was more enjoyable than taking the photos. Working on something digital to make it a reality in a printed format is exciting and I really like the idea of bringing your life off the screen and into the practical work.
I have studied various different editorial books and magazines helping develop my own style. One of my favourite magazines is Aperture, founded in 1952. Their
clean application of photography and typography really appeals to me as a designer and a photographer.
My favourite editor from Aperture is Michael Famighetti,
He uses a clean mix of photography and text and most importantly the negative space is impeccable.
Aperture, 236 published 5 September 2019
Edited by Michael Famighetti
My editorial style is influenced by a mix of external influences: Personally I see my designs being minimalistic with a strong influence from photo-books. I am reluctant in my editorial designs to use pastel colours although my most recent book design for the USC features black and white images with highlights of yellow. I am growing as a designer and have been experimenting with colour more and more. I am more inclined to use brighter colours and more vibrant designs when working digitally but I think my editorial designs will always stay minimal, refined and simplistic. .
Above are two examples of my work which I have multi-industry influences. The photo on the right is an example of my sociopolitical dissertation which features acetate pages which I first started experimenting with through photography and projection. The image on the right is a more stylised shot I took which was used in a magazine and social media for Ritas Belfast. This photographic style was actually influenced by the Giselle Swiss piece designed by Armin Hofmann shown above. We are forever changing as designers and people, carrying our experiences and lessons with us which influence our work and attitude towards design. This is important to me and something I wish to never lose as I feel pride in being individual and having a unique approach to every design I make.
(My USC magazine design inspired by Michael Famighetti)
Blog Post .5
10/05/2021
Where I Want To Be
Future | Plans
For the last four years I have been working and designing while at the Ulster School Of Art, studying a BDes Hons, Graphic Design & Illustration. I have worked in the industry as a freelance designer as well as an employee of a print and design work ship as a lead graphic designer for two years.
I am currently in the last month my degree and putting university behind me, looking towards the future and seeing what life has in store for me. I feel my best skills are in branding and editorial design, I have a series of freelance clients at the moment but I would love to work for a local design studio in the UK.
A dream location to work would be the likes of Alpine Modern, Pentagram or Aperture. I would love to work within the ski culture! Designing clothing, boards and freestyle skis including magazines. I would also love to work for an editorial studio designing books and other publications for a topic I am passionate about.
(Product design for Budweiser and The One Club Competition)
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