Adieu NSAD. Viva the Degree Shows.

"Games or Graphics?", decides my daughter Evie at this years’ Norwich School of Art and Design degree show exhibitions.

Our design studio created the exhibition signage system, together with promotional invitations to the Alumni. Always great to be involved with our local art college, whether its commissions such as these or part-time tutoring on the FDA/BA(hons) Graphic Communication course.

The show ends Wednesday July 2nd, so hopefully you've had an opportunity to get down there and survey the fantastic work on display. Plus there are changes in store, as NSAD has been granted university college status and from August 1st transforms into the 'Norwich University College of the Arts'.

Does that mean more dancing and less art? Who knows. But we are looking forward to the new identity and as The Jam eloquently stated, amidst stuttering feedback, 'this is a new Art School'.

Is This The Best Creative Pitch ...Ever?

Thank god it's Summer. The weather is getting better and there's a new Paul Weller LP in the shops. And it's ace. Only trouble is there is nothing on telly. And one thing that got me through the Winter months was the superb TV series, 'Mad Men'. A drama which finally made the advertising industry convincing entertainment. And boy, do I miss it.

The real master stoke was setting it in New York right at the cusp of the sixties - where every chain-smoking copy writer and art director looks like Cary Grant and lusts after doubles of Grace Kelly with misogynist glee. It can be quite uncomfortable to watch at times, but at least it signifies that at least we've come a long way.

But I'm not about to harp on about the battle of the sexes. For me this series captures the ad industry brilliantly and none more so than in this clip, featuring Creative Director Don Draper pitching to a potential new client. His presentation is inspirational, and attempts to elevate his client's product to something invented by HG Wells. And while he's at it, reduces one of his account executives to tears. Which must be a good thing.

Here at the Studio we're thrilled to have won our second pitch. We've created the new identity for the University of East Anglia, Jubilee Project - which promotes awareness of the 50th anniversary in 2013 and will raise funds for charity along the way. There were no tears during our presentation and thankfully Darren is no Don. But he does want to dress like him.

Mad Men Season One is available on DVD now.

Studio Pick of the Pops '08… so far

Yes, we love design - a lot. But we also love music lots too.
Here is a list of the top tunes which have kept us inspired and distracted in the best possible way.
And of course it's not always Weller Live bootlegs either (that's just in the mornings).

Cat Power - Jukebox


Paul Weller - 22 Dreams


Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus Dig!!!
Portishead - Third
Fleet Foxes - Sun Giant EP

Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree


Spiritualized - Songs in A&E
The Fall - 50 Year Old Man
Elbow - One Day Like This
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

If you haven't heard these records yet (and I can't recommend Cat Power enough, because as you see, she's amazing) plus you urgently need life enhancement, seek them out and enjoy!

Stay with-it.

The Third Post

Have you heard the new LP from Portishead? It's extraordinary.

And as this is my third Studio post and this superb record is entitled 'Third' what better way to celebrate than to include their recent appearance on Later… with Jools Holland.



Plus, keep an eye out for the box set, which features double vinyl and an etched 12" copy of their single 'Machine Gun'. You'll also find this vital recording stored digitally for your MP3 listening pleasure on a 'P' shaped memory stick. Weird. Prefer the vinyl myself. But you will find a few films on there too. All this and a print from artist Nick Uff.

It's limited to 10,000 copies. Buy it.

Blue Monday Owners’ Club

Do you own an original 12" copy of Blue Monday by New Order? Then you too can join the Blue Monday Owners’ Club.

There must be a fair few of us, because it was the biggest selling 12" single of all time.

But it has to be the version released in 1983, with the elaborate die-cut design which referenced the thin, flexible computer floppy disks originally invented by IBM. And the legend goes that it cost so much to manufacture that it wiped out any profit that the group made.

That Peter Saville, eh? Give him an inch and he'll specify a special fifth colour - no, he'll make it a metallic silver. Which he did on a second print run which left off the expensive die-cuts. Tony Wilson at Factory Records must of had a right laugh when he picked up the bill for that one. But what a designer.

Anyway, back to the Blue Monday Owners’ Club. It's put together by the artist Spencer Graham, whose latest project is to create a photo collage of the many owners of Blue Monday worldwide, all pictured proudly holding this amazing disc.

Simply get a snap of yourself taken and visit the site here

God Save The SCVA – 30th Birthday Celebrations

Saturday 5th April 2008

As an occasional record selector, I was thrilled to be asked to provide background music for the Sainsbury Centre’s 30th Birthday Reception.

It's not often you get a chance to play records in such modernist surroundings as this superb Norman Foster building. And there I was, positioned in the exhibition area much like an art installation – Will I qualify for next years Turner Prize? Marooned along side the current Cloth and Culture Show, I was thankful I was granted permission by its owner that I could have a glass of wine or two.

As the SCVA opened its doors in 1978, the record selection policy was strictly seventies – so the well dressed arty crowd were treated to such folky delights as Tim Buckley and John Martyn to glamed -up David Bowie and Roxy. This was no exercise in guilty pleasures, as David Essex made a glorious appearance after the speeches. Rock on.

An appearance of Olivers Army persuaded a brave few to cut a rug. And later, feeling a bit cheeky, I played the Sex Pistol’s God Save the Queen. Sadly, it did not provoke scenes of spitting or pogo-ing. It is the stately SCVA after all.

There were no requests for ABBA, though I was prepared with The Name of The Game. The Bee Gees sat on the substitute bench just in case of demands for Disco. Perhaps appetite’s were sated with Donna Summer’s lascivious, I Feel Love.

As the last of the wine was consumed, the evening was brought to a dignified close, in typical Daz fashion with Neil Sedaka and The Last Waltz by The Band. Nice.

Happy Birthday SCVA!

Love and thanks to Kate Carreno and Sally Goldsmith