We'll start in Paris 2010. So no one thinks it's all hard work on Foundation Degree the following images are of FD out and about enjoying themselves. Sure the groups will be recording and considering the amazing artwork, architecture and culture from the Mona Lisa to the Metro Stations decor - but on the whole it's a good time had by everyone.
We'll start in Paris 2010 - the first time a HE Graphics course had gone abroad. Travelling to London first of all and then from St Pancras we arrived in Gard du Nord in the early evening. Travelling on Eurostar is so much less stressful than searching for your bl**dy seat on Virgin. It's 5.30pm and we've arrived. Quelle merveilleuse ville!
We celebrated Jenny's birthday - she was 21 while we were there. There are few better places than Paris in Springtime. Here the group and the 'Editor' pose outside the Louvre. Jenny is at the front of the shot being hugged by Jayde. One or two of the second years quite fancied a tattoo or two from Paris . . . until they realised just how much they cost . . . €125!!!
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James | Darryl | Michelle | Emma P | Matti P | Swaddy | Nathan | The Editor | Andy (almost hiding)
Jenny | Jayde | Simon | Jordan | Kristian | Ciara | Will | Emma S | Matt CC
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And it wouldn't do not to go and see the Mona Lisa too . . . once you've battled through the thousands of tourists trying to do exactly the same as you. Were we impressed . . . hmmmm, would have been nice to have got a little bit closer!
We did the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, Place du Tertre, the Pompidou Centre, Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter. The following two shots are us heading out for Jen's birthday and in the restaurant in Place du Tertre (http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen/fullscreen24b.html)
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| Michelle | Swaddy | Nathan | Matt CC | Matt | Jen | Emma P | Simon | Emma | Jordan Andy | Darryl |
Simon thinks . . . mon Dieu, c'est tout en français
One of the best examples of ambient advertising working on the platforms of the Paris Metro. IKEA furniture (bolted to the floor) for weary Parisians to plonk their bums on the way back from 'le bureau'!
So what's next? A whole bunch of images taken at the start of the 2010 - 2011 academic year at the Manchester Art Gallery at the Rafael Lozano-Hemmer exhibition. Full of lights and shadows and heart beats and multiple images
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From the left : Swaddy | Matt CC | Matti P | Nathan | Zarar
London is a regular visit. We do the Design Museum, Tate Modern and as may of the agencies as we can. We travelled south for the first time as HND and you can see images of students within 'The Journey', but we'll focus on the first and second groups of Foundation Degree students starting a couple of years ago.
The 2009 trip started on a Tuesday in November arriving in London around 12.30. Once into the hotel and we always stop at the Royal National in Bloomsbury http://www.imperialhotels.co.uk/royal-national which is just around the corner from Russell Square tube station we headed across the road to McCann Erickson [see FD Work] two wonderful hours there and then later in the afternoon we jumped the tube to Notting Hill Gate and a brisk walk past Portobello Road to Pentagram. The group and lecturers spent the evening eating and drinking in The London Pub under the hotel - so not far to stagger back to our rooms!! The next day it was drawing around St Pauls and the over the Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern and the major PopLife exhibition. Work from Warhol, Herring, Koons, Hirst, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Kippenberger & Murakami to mention the big names . . . brilliant!  Between the first FD trip to London and the next venture to the capital the group headed for Paris [see top of page]. London 2011 : As we'd not had the best of weather in 2009 we decided to head to London in March and make it, for the first time, a four day trip. Usual 10 am start from Wigan North Western, two hours to London Euston, wander down Woburn Place to the Royal National and ready for the afternoon activities which started at the Design Museum. Tube to Tower Hill, over Tower Bridge and down Shad Thames to the wonderful Design Museum (thank you Caroline) and the Brit Insurance Design awards. Everything from a fanless fan, a Boris Bike, an amazing clock, a swivel chair that you can't fall out of - and the winning design which was a pretty looking energy bulb! Tuesday morning had us heading off to Tate Modern and a chance to view the AiWeiWei sunflower seeds that caused such a stir with the Health & Safety boys and girls because of the dust! (oh please!!) We even had a chance to talk to Ai - who has only just been released from 'house-arrest' by his Government. Such a simple exhibition but millions of hand-painted seeds . . . did anyone 'pocket' a bunch? Having descended upon M&S by St Pauls for lunch it was time to head to Covent Garden and the opportunity to meet a mega-god of the advertising world Trevor Beattie at his company BMB. As ever he was totally engaging . . . yes we spoke about advertising, but the group also discussed the Virgin Galactic flight - for which Trevor has a seat booked, Ed Milliband and Rebeka Brooks at the then News of the World. As with the previous meeting back in 2007 Trevor suggested we head down the road to The Crown for a beer . . . but on this occasion due to a diary mix-up he couldn't make it, although did provide funds (thanks Antoinette) - but it was still an experience!!! Wednesday was the big day for us all. We walked from the hotel to Covent Garden. Dropped by the Hospital Club where one of our industry contacts is a member, they were so accommodating and then it was round the corner and time to meet both Adam & Eve! Wow what an experience from the Creative Agency of the Year. They had pencilled in 6 of the team to meet us, but because we asked so many questions we only (only!!??) meet Tom & Nick, Andrea and Matt . . . but what a thrill - great people and big thanks to Annie & Charlotte for getting us in!  A catch-up in a pub off Old Street with a BloodyBigSpider and then off to Creature all will be revealed in FD Work. That evening James He and a group of students and staff alighted at the Elephant & Castle tube and headed for Mr He's Chinese Restaurant were he treated us all to a splendid Chinese Banquet in authentic surroundings . . . E&C was a bit 'iffy' on the way back though! As it's not all hard work Thursday was the students chance to sample some of London life. Some of us went on the EYE, others went to visit Freddie Mercury's home, other went shopping on Oxford Street - God isn't Primark a fashion-feeding-frenzy!!!?? New Academic Year : So what have we planned this year and what have we already done?? Early September had FD1 take Matt Corrigan back to his 'roots' to visit the René Magritte exhibition at Tate Liverpool - 'Ce n'est pas une pipe' and those guys in bowler hats everywhere.  See the professionals we get to meet in FD Work. |
