The Cheltenham Design Festival, back for it’s second year from 11-14 April 2013, celebrates how original thought can change the world. The event brings creative thinkers together from many fields to debate and explore the future of design at a time when creativity matters more than ever. The festival provides a unique opportunity for the general public, professionals and students to engage with some of the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking creatives who influence our everyday lives in areas such as education, the environment, urban design, technology and business.

This years theme is Who cares about the future of design? and once again takes place at Cheltenham’s prestigious Parabola Arts Centre over a packed four days. Speakers include Alice Rawsthorn (Design Critic, International Herald Tribune, the global edition of the New York Times), Sir John Sorrell (Chairman, London Design Festival), David Hillman (award-winning), Fred Deakin (half of band Lemon Jelly, co-founder of design agency Airside), Adrian Shaughnessy (graphic designer, writer & tutor), Nat Hunter (Co-Director of Design, RSA), Bruce Duckworth (co-founder Turner Duckworth) and Neville Brody (Research Studios Creative Director and D&AD President) + many more…

“Creativity is undoubtedly part of our future. I want to try and encourage more people to consider some form of creative future.” – John Hegarty, founding partner, Bartle, Bogle & Hegarty and President, Cheltenham Design Festival.

With one of the best pricing structures of any design event (NUS day passes are only £10!) and the ability to purchase individual event tickets – not to mention free workshops – the CDF promises to be another success.

Stunning film – The Making of John Mayer’s ‘Born & Raised’ Artwork – shot by Danny Cooke.

David A. Smith is a traditional sign-writer/designer specialising in high-quality ornamental hand-crafted reverse glass signs and decorative silvered and gilded mirrors. David recently produced a wonderful turn-of-the-century, trade-card styled album cover for singer/songwriter John Mayer. (We featured him in the London issue of Boat Magazine)

This film captures the behind the scenes creation of the ‘Born & Raised’ and ‘Queen of California’ artwork, as well as 2 unique reverse glass panels, hand-crafted in England by David A. Smith.

Music by John Mayer Filmed by Danny Cooke Featuring David A. Smith

(by)Build Shop launched recently opened its electronic doors, stocking original products designed and produced by the studio, available exclusively on the store. To celebrate the opening of the shop they are offering you the chance to win a truly limited edition original Build print. All you have to do to be in with the chance of winning is to sign up to their Shop newsletter.

The winner will be given the choice of three designs; Smiley, 01/01 by MCP or Love, printed on Hahnemühle fine art paper (420(w) x 594(h)mm). The print will be personalised with the winner’s name and signed by MCP. You have from now until Thursday 28th February to sign-up when the winner will be chosen at random and announced in the first newsletter (out on Monday 4th March).

Everyone who has already subscribed is also in with a chance to win. The shop has its own dedicated twitter account: @Build_Shop

Irene van Nes is a Graphic Designer based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. In October 2012 BIS Publishers put out her first book Dynamic Identities. How to create a living brand. She kindly sent over a copy and answered a few questions about how the book came to be. You can read a generous 48 page preview on Issu here – and join the book/topics facebook community here.

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I see the project lives on with your Facebook community…what lead you to produce a physical book rather than just curate something online? (Some of our readers might have a project in mind but not consider publishing an option!)

In the beginning I debated with myself whether a static format of a book would fit the subject, but pretty soon it was clear for me that next to my Facebook page where I share my research and insights with a growing community, I wanted to produce a physical printed book. First of all because there was none, but more importantly because it is gives an overview of what has been done/invented up-to-now. Bundled together with an essay, the book is time reference, a snapshot, of where we are at on the topic of Dynamic Identities. I hope, as my research lives on, perhaps a second book could show the evolution of dynamic identities.

How did you find the process of producing the book? (was it easy to sell to a publisher, how long did the process take etc..)

Finding a publisher was actually a lot easier than I thought. I created a pdf presentation on the subject, and sent that to different publishers with an email with my motivation and reason why I think the book should be published. I believe the because of the lack of a book with so many cases ONLY on this topic bundled together, and the currentness of the topic, it was picked up well, and pretty soon BIS Publishers and I came to a an agreement.

Creating the book itself was a dream come true. Always wanted to make a book! The many aspects or making the book, from the research – contacting all the agencies – designing every page of the book – until the delivery to the printers, was a lot of fun!  From the beginning a tight planning and strict deadline kept the engine running. :) All in all the project has kept me busy for a year, with five months non stop full time dedication for the actual production.

Any more books on the horizon or other exciting projects?

Of course the research lives on. Perhaps, when I have gathered enough new project, a second ‘snapshot’ will appear. :) Other than that I am hoping to do some workshops with students on the topic in the near future, and hope to work on exciting dynamic identities!

This is an excellent book – as comprehensive as possible given the constantly changing subject – and at close to 200 pages it feels like more than just an intelligent snapshot of the state of dynamic identities. The lenticular cover is the cherry on the top, never has such a cover felt so justified. Each time I flick through the book I come across identity projects I’ve not seen covered on any of the blogs I regularly trawl, and each one has just the right balance of imagery to explain the flexibility of the brand without becoming wallpaper.

If you’re interested in branding and identity design, treat yourself! Dynamic Identities: How to Create a Living Brand

The Company You Keep is a Melbourne based design consultancy with some nice brand identity work.

Alex and Chris from We Three Club have been in touch to let us know about their new little promo vid (loud volume recommended).

True to their DIY aesthetics the duo are creative juggernauts – in the 2 years since we reported on their launch they have produced some great work, continued to curate and organise Poster Roast, set up the UKPA (The UK Poster Association) along with Graham Pilling, Luke Drozd and FFF regular Bobby Evans …aaand launched a stationery company! (Dear So and So.) You can purchase their prints here.

Simon Peplow is an Illustrator, Designer and Artist living and working in Birmingham, UK.

Manchester based freelance designer Dave Sedgwick has been in touch to let us know about BCN:MCR – ‘A unique exhibition, uniting five of the best Barcelona based design agencies at 2022NQ, Manchester’ – a culture exchange project he’s curating.

‘BCN:MCR’ premieres at 2022NQ on Thursday 21 February 2013. The exhibition unites, for the first time, five of the most innovative and cutting-edge, Barcelona based design agencies of the moment; Hey Studio, Lamosca, Lo Siento, Mayúscula and Mucho; and will provide a rare opportunity for designers, creatives and culture enthusiasts everywhere, to experience the work of award-winning, pioneering and original design from Barcelona.

In addition to the works which will be on display at 2022NQ, each agency has also been issued with their own individual letter of the exhibition title, ‘BCN:MCR’, and will submit their own unique, creative response to this. Sedgwick will be completing the 6th letter with his own contribution and the finished collaboration will culminate in an exclusive piece of design, that is a reflexive element of the exhibition and a unique reminder of the relationship between the two cities. This will be on display at the newly opened TAKK coffee shop, 6 Tariff Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester.

An exclusive talk will also be held at 2022NQ on Friday 22nd February featuring Borja Martinez, of Lo Siento and Pablo Juncadella, of Mucho, Rocio Martinavarro from Mayúscula and Veronica Fuerta from Hey Studio. They will each be providing an insight into their way of working and the graphic design scene in Barcelona, plus there will be an opportunity for a Q & A session. Limited edition tickets go on sale soon. Purchasing information and further details will also be announced shortly via @bcnmcr.

‘BCN:MCR’ has also been generously supported by, Team Impression, GF Smith Papers, Estrella Damm, Institute Cervantes and Takk. 

‘BCN:MCR’ launches on 21 February 2013, from 6:00pm at 2022NQ, 20 – 22 Dale Street, M1 1EZ. All welcome.

Hambeck is a Beck fansite, and although I can’t make much sense of the Meiryo – this papercut animation is mesmerising and beautiful. Check it out here.

Work by Land, the design studio of Caleb Owen Everitt and Ryan Rhodes, produce some seriously cool work.

Kasper-Florio is the ‘collaborative experience’ of Switzerland based Larissa Kasper and Rosario Florio.

Described recently as “one of the most important designers to come out of England in the last 50 years” Ken Garland thoroughly deserves a comprehensive monograph befitting his contribution to British design. Thankfully one of our favourite publishers, Unit Editions, have managed to brilliantly scratch that itch with Unit 09: Ken Garland - Structure and Substance. 

It covers everything from student exercises in the 1950s to his self-published photography books of recent years, and touches on the many sides of Garland: the ethical and political designer; the writer; the teacher; the photographer. Produced with input from Garland the first 60 pages is a biographical essay, written by Adrian Shaughnessy and accompanied by rare personal photographs, underpinned by interviews with his contemporaries and peers.

The majority of the book is given over to showcasing a chronology of work – including posters for CND marches, the identity of Galt Toys, sleeves for RCA Records – boundary pushing graphic design the impact of which can still be seen today in much of what is considered “good” contemporary design.

Confession time… other than the 1964 First Things First Manifesto, I was woefully uneducated about the life and work of Ken Garland. No longer! This book is a great introduction to the impact of Mr Garland and its slightly more compact size (than the Lubalin unit) means its a beautiful piece to handle. One to treat yourself to especially if you’re suffering from the January blues and a worthy addition to any designers collection.

Paperback

168x224mm 328 pages ISBN 978-0-9562071-9-7 £35

– Author: Adrian Shaughnessy Editors: Tony Brook and Adrian Shaughnessy Design: Spin

Netherlands-based Buro Reng is Pascal Rumph & Hans Gerritsen, and they produce some brilliant work. Their Day of Architecture Groningen work was one of my favourite projects from 2011. Follow them on Twitter.

Sydney, Australia-based team WBYK is Sonny Day & Biddy Maroney – exhibiting artists as well as commercial illustrators operating as a small multi-disciplinary design studio, collaborating with a set of talented web developers, animators and photographers.

I love these portraits by British artist Ben Hughes. Life-sized, part detailed and realistic painting, part simplistic line work. They feel familiar, yet really fresh and graphic.