Branding ME!

A funny coincidence occurred today. In one of my business lectures (an especially fascinating one at that - a.k.a not cash flows...) we were developing our knowledge about branding. 

A case study into the Tate really caught my attention considering the last post I wrote on this blog. Pretty much agreeing with my opinions but with much much more contextual and historically factual backing-up. 

My current creative project requires me to do 'extensive' market research, and consider retail price points etc, as if to put my work into a real-world context. I'm still in the early stages of this admittedly, however I'm intrigued by new and innovative methods of retail, publicity, and even making money. An example being Supermarket Sarah - see more at my Pinterest; - http://uk.pinterest.com/izzymitchell77/

As I always say, I wish I could just get paid to have ideas. I have a million and one of those! Not many are worth anything, but one thing I am captivated by at the minute is the psychological art which is branding. 

Shadow Play

Light's shadow echo; A shape without line or colour, a trace of what was but not complete. A memory, of a moment. 

Tate Britain and Tate Modern

In light of my recent acquisition of a Tate Membership (an xmas present which I have surprisingly never received before), I felt very excited and determined to visit both London galleries as soon as possible. So the second day of the new year it is! (A necessity as I have to hot-step it back up to Notts and several exhibitions finish this Winter.) 

Tate Modern viewed from Millenium Bridge

One thing I love about Tate is their offering of regular late-opening hours, suitable for artsy pre-dinner dates, after school refresher and/or late night pre-bar solo outings. (Tonight fits into that final category if anyone was interested.) But still, Tate is Tate. I've been many times to see the permanent collections, and keep coming back for their well-curated dynamic range of temporary exhibitions. Which my shiny new card gives me free entry to... 

Tate Britain Rotunda

One motivator in particular to this visit was the soon-ending Turner exhibition (which you can always tell by the ticket queue.) Despite being mad busy, I greatly appreciated getting to see this show. I had not planned on seeing the large London Turner/ Constable (at the RA) shows when they were announced last year, due to the amount of times I've seen and studied their work. However this exhibition proved to me that I have changed (hopefully improved) my tastes and thoughts critically and culturally. So I had a different experience viewing the work as I might have done a few years ago.

For the full review click here (link to come)

Gaining entry to the gallery tailored  members rooms felt pretty special in these spectacular buildings. Unfortunately, due to choosing to visit on a day the world and his wife seem to be off work, both were horrendously busy. I look forward to future visits on a quiet weekday daytime. The Tate Britain rooms overlook the recently renovated Rotunda, which makes a stunningly opulent yet tranquil space. The Modern's channel the modernist sleek vibe, with stunning views across the Thames to St.Pauls. There also seemed access to a balcony, but it was far too cold and windy to investigate. I'm glad to know I can come back on a more pleasant day and hopefully do some drawing. 

Tate Modern members room

In all this appreciation of Art and Architecture, inside and outside the walls of these great institutions, I feel quite nostalgic in leaving London. 

(Though considering the hike in rail prices and the amount I spend on drinks I'm quite glad to be heading back to pound-a-pint Nottingham, even if only temporarily.) 

Goodbye 2014. Hello 2015

New Years I have always found an odd thing to celebrate. Yes it is a good time for reflection and after the over-exerting joys that Christmas brings (eating, drinking, napping etc) I can see the appeal in viewing the New Year as a clean slate. A fresh start. A clean break. Or a whole lot of pressure if you ask me...

This year my NYE celebrations were a little different to usual. I essentially spent it with people I hardly know, in a place I've never been, and stayed up and awake to a time I haven't managed... I think, ever! But I think it was the best New Year's Eve I've ever had. 

Rather than having a subdued affair with friends or family, or working (as I had anticipated originally), I was in a situation where everybody seemed happy and thankful for what the past year has given them, and what the new year will bring. I still value those near and dear to me, but being in an environment where everything is new, exciting and different perfectly suits the perspective that there are so many opportunities waiting for me in the year ahead. 

So don't expect to find me bombing about in a club when the last clock strikes twelve in 2015, but I've got to find a way to spend it that tops this year. Though saying that I had no way to predict that I'd end up in this brilliant situation. Suppose I shouldn't knock it until I've tried it...

Best New Year wishes to us all. 

Design Inspiration - Holly Fulton

A current major design crush of mine is Holly Fulton, for her design signatures of “Graphic print, luxurious materials and hot accessories.”

Her silhouettes are youthful yet elegant, mirrored in her well balanced use of embellishment and bold print. It is this well tuned relationship between simplicity and extravagance which mean the clothes look beautiful on the body and on a hanger. 

I feel Fulton captures themes well within her collection with clever styling, her designs almost seem carefully constructed yet effortlessly done. Her style and work is easy to recognise, yet still full of surprises with continuously strong and sexy collections gracing the catwalks of Fashion weeks. 

She studied at Edinburgh and the RCA, and won awards such as the Swarovski Emerging Talent Award for Accessories at the British Fashion Awards and BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad winner.

I am very much taking note... 

In hindsight - An introduction

I wouldn't go too far wrong to recommend you follow my instagram to keep up with my Autumn term activities @izzym77. 

Balancing work and social life is a task which should not restrict or limit social networking, if anything it should enhance it! 

So please excuse my backdated posts, though this hindsight will hopefully prove some useful purpose towards reflection. 

Back in Business

It's official. I have stooped to a new low. I've resorted to using tight revealing clothing to get me grades....

Well, sort of. (Let's hope it gets me a grade at all!)

This is my Co-op poduct - a project aimed to raise awarness of our consumption, waste and sustainabilty. So I give you; Knitted Plastic Swimwear! (KPS maybe? - if it doesn't already mean something/ something rude)

Next step is to write a business proposal - in the form of a report and a presentation. I am very excited for this - I feel trend/ market research is more by bag than more historical reading. I enjoy the theoretical side of writing essays - but I've not got the knack for writing them. 

It helps that I am passionate about my product, and I find the swimwear fashion market sector (thingy) an engaging thing to research. I feel writing an essay is appealing because then that becomes a product, but with this business approach the product is physical and the proposal only goes to support it. 

Anyway this is all on my to-do list for my Winter break. Keeping my work as seasonal as ever...