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.

mieux vaut tard que jamais . . .

. . . better late then never!

A year after the event [pressure of work] WSA's answer to Martin Scorsese - Dec Woodward - has edited and published (for personal use) a video of the London/Paris trip - the editor though you might like a sneaky peak. Follow the link . . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tQWfGbULTg&feature=youtu.be

Final University Interviews

The final group of FD2 students in the first week of the Easter holiday's had their interviews at the University of Salford. Although unknown at the time of going to press of the offer to Jemma (MINT) and Emma (Illustration), the graphic communicators accepted the final year option on offer to them.

So ALL 16 second year students have achieved places at the University. 

It's going to be one hell of a 3rd Year . . . the editor hopes Salford is ready for their arrival and expects the group to go in and do some serious a**e-kicking and prove just what a great opportunity starting their higher education study on the Foundation Degree in Graphic Design at Wigan School for the Arts has been in their development towards design and illustration employment.

London Calling!

As a preview to the London trip review - two images which sum up the trip and the pleasure and hilarity experienced by the group.

Below left : a group of the FD lads pose with Trevor Beattie at the Crown at Seven Dials in Covent Garden after an amazing afternoon / evening in the company of the advertising guru of all gurus and the legend that is Antoinette de Lisser.

Below right : the boss aka  . . . . well you have a guess! To read about the whole experience go to London 2013. Enjoy.