Brighton based illustrator Carlos Garde-Martin (left) discussing approaches to creative thinking with two of our BA (hons) Graphic Design students, Lee Vidal and Jack Chan.

Last Friday we again had the pleasure of working with Carlos Garde-Martin, a Brighton-based illustrator, who came in to give HND 1 and 2 and the BA Top Up, workshops in creative thinking and illustration. Working first with HND 1 Carlos walked the group through a series of techniques to help the generation of ideas. As HND 1 are currently working on a variety of briefs from the YCN competiti0n this was useful in helping them to quickly come up with divergent ideas.  The ideas-generation task on the board, where each person had to quickly add a drawing to the line of previous drawings, was both fun but quite daunting – good practice for industry skills of quick thinking.

Carlos then gave the BA Top Up students one-to-one tutorials for their Final Major Projects. These are projects that the students write themselves and they hope to produce stunning portfolio pieces, so all the advice that Carlos could give them was warmly welcomed.

Finally we had a great workshop with HND 2 in which Carlos introduced them to a range of mark-making techniques, such as printing and collage. For students used to working with screens this was a chance to get their hands dirty and to produce creative pieces that would help them think of ideas for unusual materials to use in their Design Factory competition entries.

Below are some of the comments of those who took part and you can see more of the work of Carlos Garde-Martin at http://www.carlosgardemartin.co.uk/

Can ya see what it is yet? Carlos, engaging the students in a image association activity.

HND 1 comments:

“I think that the method of using rough illustration tied in with word associations is a very useful way to help with design ideas”

“Great lesson demonstrating divergent thinking and how to use it effectively!”

“It was interesting and helped to generate a wide range of ideas.”

“Helping me to think out of the box”

HND 2 comments:

“I found today’s session really interesting. It was great trying new techniques that I wouldn’t have used otherwise, especially the printing. I’ll definitely consider using it again.” – Hannah J

“Really enjoyed today’s session. It was good to get away from the screen and do something hands on.” – Kerry B

“I found this session really good and I felt I could just express anything no matter how random. I think I might buy some block paint – it really gave me some imnspiration.” – Sam A

“I enjoyed the collage, using different types of paper, with different textures. Mark-making was fun, using the sponge gave me the best texture.” – Jess M

“This was really fun. I never do this kind of thing so its nice to have a chance. I was really impressed with the collages that people made so quickly.” – Emily V

“It was great to spend some time experimenting with things like this, as normally I would never find the time.” – Alex G

“I really like gettng experimental with different marking techniques. I just did whatever popped into my head.” – Lizzie O

The reason being, we like to look at nice things and that is precisely what I got to do on a recent outing to one of Brighton’s infamous open houses.

AT open house is run by April and Tim and they are the proud owners of an eclectic gallery brimming with beautiful examples of letter press, screen prints, paintings, photography, and textiles … oh and cake, I forgot cake.

Zoo Prints & Collectables handprinted critters

Mr Wingate hand printed textiles for your home

Vintage circus posters from Delicious Industries

Delicious Industries

April and Tim welcome you

I was accompanied on my trip by one of the DIGITAL bungalow youngsters and there we met not only our hosts April and Tim, but our good friends Delicious Industries‘ Creative Director Judith Wilding and artist Lou Taylor who produces the wholly delicate ‘Paper Cuts’ art.

The DIGITAL bungalow youngster heads for the cake …

Lou Taylor paper-cut illustration

If Delicious Industries say so …

The AT house …

Carlos Garde-Martin illustration and badges

Now when you pay a visit to April and Tim’s, the one thing that is prevalent (apart from the glorious works of art) is cake. Yep, cake. You’re not gonna miss it, believe me. It’s there on the lower ground floor sitting proudly on the AT open house dinner table. An overwhelming range of cake that you can wash down with a cup of tea if you’re in a traditional frame of mind, or coffee if you’re feeling a tad more European; all for a small voluntary donation.

Time for tea

Time for cake too …

What could be better?

Fine cherries

More cake!

So I’d like to suggest – in a subtle, Mafioso-style berating – that you get yourselves down there this weekend. Why? Because it’s the last one and if you haven’t been you should definitely, more than anything else … go.

What more could you want on a beautiful weekend in Brighton than to walk around a stunning house busting with impressive art, eating dangerously gorgeous cake and drinking fine tea.

You’d be mad not to … obviously.

AT open house

AT open house
26th and 27th May
12pm – 6pm
42 Hendon Street
Brighton
BN2 0EG

A mere hop, skip and a jump from Queen’s Park, Hendon Street is just off Sutherland Road in Kemp Town.

The number 2 and 2a buses stop right at the end of Hendon Street and run from Shoreham to Rottingdean.

For those traveling from further afield, Brighton Train station is approx. a half-hour walk away.

If you are following the Kemp Town Trail, AT open house is K8 on the trail map.

Tim at the helm …

It’s business

Mirror mirror …

Alice Pattullo illustrative prints

Love Hove then love this