Blog
Blog
What Next ???
17.06.2008
This exciting and groundbreaking postgraduate course combines the strengths of design, business and technology to create management thinking, innovation and practice for the next generation.
Industry now recognises the importance of Design-Thinking in business strategy, the need to apply creative capability and advanced innovation in new product and service development to achieve competitive advantage.
Working in multi-disciplinary teams on projects sponsored by leading international companies, you will gain invaluable experience in defining and resolving complex issues in new, exciting and innovative ways.
And what's more for the next two years - it's FULLY FUNDED.
Subject to final validation, Northumbria School of Design in collaboration with Newcastle Business School and the school of computing, Engineering and Information Sciences is launching this exciting new postgraduate course in September 2008.
Click the link below to read more details:
http://northumbria.ac.uk/sd/academic/scd/multi/
Blog
Stopping the Buck
09.05.2008
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Stopping the buck - June '08: An event run by ‘Character Creative’ in Leeds [UK] to give something back to the creative industry. It'll take the form of a Question Time-style debate and they've already got a cracking host and panel lined up!
Stopping the buck aims to bring the creative community together, from the most experienced to the newly/soon to be qualified. It'll provide a platform for intellectual discussion and help you to make new contacts.
Location: Oracle Bar, Brewery Wharf, Leeds UK
Date for your diary: 12th of June.
To find out more visit www.charactercreative.co.uk
Blog
Working in L.A.
21.03.2008
In the summer of 2007 Kit Ingham graduated from Liverpool School of Architecture and, with a little help from his finalcrit portfolio, landed his ‘killer’ placement.
Where was your ‘killer’ placement?
Prior to graduating I managed to secure an internship with COarchitects in West Hollywood, L.A. I was ecstatic to say the least. The practice is hugely successful and has received countless awards. They’ve worked on impressive projects all across America, including an extension to Louis Kahn's Salk Institute!
How did your placement come about?
Whilst studying at LSA I had managed to develop a rapport with the people at COarchitects through emails and conversations. I had asked for advice on some university schemes and they were extremely helpful.
How did you get your work in front of COarchitects?
I sent them a link to my finalcrit portfolio showcasing images of my work. We did the interview over the phone whilst viewing my work online; as a result I was offered an internship which I gladly accepted. Having graduated, I flew out to LA and began working with them.
How did you find the experience?
In comparison to the UK, living out there was obviously something that took a bit of getting used to, but once you adapt it is a fantastic lifestyle. The culture of work was also quite different to practices in the UK. The atmosphere in the office was very serene, ideal for design; and a huge amount of time is spent on each detail so as that every possible outcome is addressed in the solution. The people there made every effort to welcome me to the team and I was involved in some really interesting projects.
What was your proudest moment?
One of my proudest moments was producing drawings for a University Laboratory scheme in Texas, which was later published in "Texas Architect" magazine. At the end of my internship I had learnt so much about our industry and returned to the UK confident in my abilities.
Would you go back?
I had such an amazing time out there, I will most definitely look to return in the future and would recommend all Part I, and any other design graduates, try and fit in some experience abroad. Build yourself a finalcrit portfolio and get emailing!!
Check out the work of Kit Ingham - http://www.finalcrit.com/architecture/kitingham
During his placement Kit worked for COarchitects -
http://www.coarchitects.com/
Prior to placement Kit studied for his Architecture part I at LSA –
http://www.liv.ac.uk/lsa/
Blog
Interview: Miss Saven Chadha
10.03.2008
Where did you study ?
I graduated from the London College of Communication last June, with a BA in Graphic and Media Design (Illustration), and have been freelancing since.
How is life as a freelance designer ?
Freelance work has its ups and downs - but the great thing is you get to enjoy a lot of freedom and play by your own rules.
How does the design process start for you ?
I begin creating my images in sketchbooks, with paint and a variety of mixed media. I love hand rendered images, or images that have evidence of human contact. I get excited about silly things like torn pages, ink spills, worn down paint and washes of vibrant colour. These all play a major part in the layering of my work, I like each piece to feel like you’re able to almost fall into it
From where do you draw inspiration ?
At the moment I am drawing much inspiration from the journals of Dan Eldon, they have such a beautiful life in them. I grew up in Kenya too, so his work somehow resonates with me on a personal level- this is an important aspect of what I draw inspiration from and whom I inspire in turn. I like it when people are about to feel something when they look at my work, and the idea that they may even relate to it.
Which medium do you hold closest ?
As much as I enjoy painting, and graphic design, Photography is the love of my life, and I spend a lot of time photographing people, and playing around with lighting.
I’m starting to really love the idea of moving image and drawing inspiration from directors like Terry Gilliam and Michel Gondry. I also adore Tim Burton and Floria Sigismondi’s work; as they’re both hauntingly beautiful with their camera angles and set design.
What does the future hold for Miss Saven Chadha ?
I’m not sure what the future holds just yet; however I will most definitely always be in the creative industry. I am currently looking for a graphic design/creative job in London.
Check out the work of Saven Chadha - http://www.finalcrit.com/art/savenchadha
Blog
Post and Posters - 50 Posted!
03.01.2008
A Happy New Year to you all and all the best for 2008.
Update: The Post and Posters campaign was a bit of fun that we're now looking into making a more permanent fixure! We'll keep you updated.
Despite the Christmas and New Year chaos we've managed to get the 50 out that have been requested. So if you're one of the 50 that asked for post and posters expect them soon. If you're not, we've still got 50 left, so please get in touch.
A number of you have asked if the they're free, and yes, they are FREE !!!
N.B. If you've not got yours yet you may need to bear with us as we've heard there's a back log in the postal service due to Christmas! If you're one of the lucky people living in sunnier and more exotic climes than those of us in the UK your post may take a bit longer.... it is snail mail after all.
Give us a shout when you do get your mail, send us something if you want (nice things please) by either snail or E mail. It would be nice to see where the posters end up.
Email to: theteam@finalcrit.com
Snail Mail to: The Team
Finalcrit LTD
23 Falkner Square
Liverpool
L8 7NY
Enjoy,
Ollie & Mark
The Finalcrit Team.
Blog
Post and Posters
12.12.2007
Q. What is "Post and Posters"?
A. It may be slow but everyone loves a bit of snail mail. Especially when you asked for it! Well we've gone and designed some posters and even designed a funky envelope to put them in and we want to post them to you.
Inside each pack you'll get 5 posters to put up around your work area and the only envelope you won't want to chuck away.
If you want to show your creative peers some appreciation for finalcrit then send us an email to theteam[at]finalcrit.com with a mailing address for us to send you some "post and posters".
Enjoy,
Ollie & Mark
The finalcrit team
Blog
Brand Nu
03.12.2007
Radim will tell you there's always plenty going on in the world of Brand Nu, recently asked to showcase at Adobe Design Centre illustrating the creative use of the CS3 package . Commissioned by Caxton House to illustrate over 40sq/metres on the theme 'outside / inside' for the Sloane Murals project.
In addition to the client workload Radim has managed to find the time to publish a great little showcase "SPLATTERS, SHAPES & COLOURS" available in limited numbers from www.brandnu.co.uk.
Check out Brand Nu's portfolio for an exclusive preview of the Sloanes Project before the official launch on Friday 7th December.
www.finalcrit.com/design/brandnu
www.brandnu.co.uk
www.adobe.com/designcenter/
Blog
Finalcrit in AJ 22.11.07
20.11.2007
All you architecture types will be excited about this!
We received a phone call from the AJ on friday night and they are so impressed with the site and the standard of work from creatives found on the site, they're running an editorial in this weeks issue, on sale Thursday 22.11.2007!
This is great news and we hope to get a massive number of visits from employers in the architecture industry so make sure your portfolio is on finalcrit and looking its best.
Enjoy,
Ollie.
Blog
Become our friend on facebook
12.11.2007
We're on facebook!
Come and see us, become a fan of the site by adding us to your products and help us spread the word of finalcrit among the creative communities.
Look forward to seeing you.
Blog
Finalcrit V2 goes Live!
30.10.2007
Finalcrit is here! Shaking off its beta skin the finalcrit version 2 website is a website built by designers and creatives, for designers and creatives, to showcase their creative skills and talents in an uninterrupted and customisable portfolio that they can make their own.
For those looking for designers and creatives it is a place to find them...
A big thank you to all the users who have given their valuable suggestions whilst in the developing stages of the site. Now it's here go forth and multiply its users! i.e. spread the word.
If you're not already on Finalcrit, what are you waiting for?! sign up.