MINT!

From the days of having to draw everything - long before computers became the tool of choice in the design industry the editor has watched and been part of the shift from actual hand-skills to the control of a mouse and stylus. Not hankering for the Luddite world of smashing new technology the advancing pace of moving graphics is one, if given his time over again, would be big in to.

With the FD being affiliated to the University of Salford one of the pathways is called rather catchily MINT - which means multi-media and interactivity!

The course leader Gary Peploe [without the cap] and one of WSA's FD successes Matt Page, who gained a 'first' in completing his BA Hons study dropped by the college to show off their wares and discuss the option - and very impressive it was too!

To see what they get up to at MINT . . . follow the links.

https://vimeo.com/67916826  

https://vimeo.com/53713720  

https://vimeo.com/72960329

The Future is Magenta!

Doesn't time fly . . . ?

It's September, it's the Parsons Walk café and it's time to enrol. Another decent size year and a mix from the three main fountains the FD course 'drinks' from. 

Four from SJR, four from ED Art & Design, six from ED Graphics and one lost soul who having experienced the pleasures of university realised that contact time at most higher education establishments is miles from the environment on the FD course at WSA.

The first day starts with induction and understanding the rules of the FD course. Then [trying] to make paper planes to fly in the stairwell . . . still confused to collect and then getting to know each other. Once all the rules and regs are sorted the group heads to Liverpool. 

A trip to Tate at Albert Dock to what the editor considers to be a fantastic exhibition – the work of Chagall. Along with the newly formed HND Fine Art all the first years met up for a day out – mind we got soaked coming back! Some enjoyed the exhibition – others didn’t get it. After two hours in the gallery the editor having been asked what he was filming and trying his best to get away with murder . . . it was time to escape!!

So another year begins, many blank faces, many wondering how they're going to get their work done by deadlines, others concerned about Soapbox or organisation presentations and standing in front of their peers and opening their mouths!

How will they do . . . only time will tell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URwU4yRemYk

Imitation - the sincerest form of flattery?

Casting his mind back many-a-year the editor along with a couple of other guys in his design class, created a slide show [didn't have video in those days] that took the 'Mickey' out of the rest of the group, the girls particularly . . . and of course the staff.

The editor did a very good [and still does] imitation of his course leaders voices as well as a nifty caricature of him too . . . so it shouldn't have come as any great surprise that one day his students would turn the table and do the same thing to him.

Aired for the first time at the Final Show . . . and having made it clear that he wouldn't censor any part of it [although he did ask for the removal of a few comments recorded while in London with the group] everyone had a giggle at his expense. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzH0bnnxHGU 

Show Us Yours . . .

How easy is it to become insular? Very!

Getting off "ones derriere" at this time of the year can require enormous effort. Going to other shows can be a double edged sword. There can be fabulous work and students get psyched-out or they can think, "hmmm in another year I'll be better than that".

A month ago five FD2 students and the editor ventured to Salfords' MediaCity exhibition to see what was on offer. No doubting the location with the big screens, the quay's, the trams, the in-your-face graphics. The University has several floors of one of the buildings and up on the second was a brass band and the 'big-plasmas' showing off loads of great designs. Digital media, product design, advertising, architecture.

One of the highlights was the TV studio and the opportunity for Chris to do the weather. Across the corridor was a rehearsal of a programme created by the University's students due to go out live.

Out of that building and into the BBC! Graphic Design and Fine Art on display there - what a brilliant place to view design with 'punters' streaming into the television studios for recorded performances. Before the return to Salford Crescent station time to be treated by the editor in Pizza Express!!

The following week, the editor through an invitation from one of the Foundation Degree's start pupils Janine Wilcock ended up in the middle of Manchester in the basement of a warehouse called 2022.

This is where the University's BA [Hons] graphics course had their 'private show' for friends and family and on the following night industry. WE MADE A SHOW . . . down an almost sheer flight of stairs to a typical design basement environment. Armed with his beer token the editor set about enjoying the work on display.

A nod in the direction of the University's staff, a bottle in hand time to admire the work on show. The basement reminded the editor of the days of the old Pagefield Mill in Wigan. Very enjoyable.

And the last event on the editors calendar was the local 6th Form College's show. St John Rigby have provided well over a dozen students to the FD course - of which six graduated this year. There is always a really good family atmosphere at the show and some very decent work on show too. The four students heading to WSA next year all showed themselves.

The editor would like to take the opportunity to welcome Emma, Hayley, Dean & Chris to FD Magenta

Building a Future

The period before the show is hectic - what with all the deadlines, all the assessment, a visit from the external verifier and two trips to the University's Exam Boards - the final one being on the day of the show.

But prior to all that the group have to set about clearing the studio, getting boards up, painting them and then getting their work printed out . . . the editor then spends three days rooted to the spot mounting and cutting out the final pieces for display.

Not everyone put their backs into it - some sit around pretending they've just one last 'tweak' to do before they can help. As usual someone paints a board and then sets about walking in all the drips and trailing it around the college.

It was the students intention as part of their show to have a 'cinema' area to show off their FMP's and Confessionals and as with FDGreen last year the students had the major say on how their room and exhibition looked.

Mel went purple crazy [and I think everyone really liked the overall effect] and created a purple trail from reception - although level 3 graphics weren't happy to allow our balloons!! So from starting on the stairs two years earlier . . . it was fitting they should again play a part in their story.

To grab attention in a very busy reception on the evening of the show four of the lads created a 'break-in' video, the type of thing seen on the likes of the Batman films when Lex Luther takes over Gotham City or when some crazed 'Nerd' wants to secure world domination.

Such was the effect one visitor threw her orange juice into the air in horror. Follow the link - but be warned . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EctnhQcdP0E&feature=youtu.be

So a proper Higher Education do - with bourbon biscuits, cocktail sausages, fizzy pop and of course a variety of 'horizonal hootches' . . . which did leave something for the editor to clean up the following day.

The happy crew . . . Chris/Matt[hic!]/Emily/Tom/Danny/Big G/Ryan/Dec/Tash

But what an event, the break-in, the trail, the balloons and the overall look of the studio with some fabulous work was a winner. In fact the whole show from art and design to photography was a success.

Who is that handsome guy on screen?

Student Voice

What with Exam Boards and External Verifiers, Joint Boards of Study and assessment from the middle of May it is manic for all concerned with Foundation Degree.

As a student rep, something the editor is very keen to have across both years, they have to make themselves available to attend college student association meetings and at least once in their tenure travel to Salford to play a part in the Joint Board of Study where the make-up of the course is discussed.

For the final board of the year, Adam, Melissa, Chloe and Matt ventured to the University along with the editor. It may look like a cell, but it isn't quite as bad as that. With a chairman and several members of the University teaching staff the group discussed their progress. Yes, it may be a touch daunting with so much academia bouncing off the walls but it gives the students the opportunity to see the depth of the structure that goes to make up their course.

In the next academic year a new group of reps will continue to carry the standard and argue from the students perspective.

Catch-Up-Time

The first of several end of the year postings. What a hectic time - but then nothing unusual there for the Team and students of FD Graphics.

The best place to start is to look at the four chosen designs by FD1 to be this years End of Year Show identity - something year one whether as part of HND Graphics or latterly FD Graphics have taken on from being a way of publicising their own show to creating the graphics for all the Art School courses.

It's a difficult task with those not involved only as onlookers being critical of the final solution. But as with everyone of the previous seven years the group came up trumps.

Josh Dinsmore, Chloe Pierce, Rosie Beattie and Beth Pugh were selected from the group of 10 to go forward to the voting process by the Art School students.

The four sets designs were put up in the foyer. Over 150 votes were cast and the winner by a clear margin was design number four by Beth Pugh.

Shame the editor didn't photograph them better. Credit goes to Beth who through several long shifts at Tesco still managed to get all nametags completed in time for the show - the rest of the group would like to take some credit too - the editor will let them argue that out with Beth.