Malteser challenge 2015 - 16ft !

Not wishing to be outdone by the likes of young Kylie on Channel 4s TFI, the Graphics A2 students rose to the challenge of the Malteser-tape measure-run type thing. 

After a lot of trials & failures , the students managed a tremendous 16ft long ! 

Page turners !

It's all about books this week at college - with Yasmin's beautiful 'Create' piece and concertina books as well as workshops by Sarah on book binding.  Congratulations to Yasmin also who has kicked off interview season with no less than 2 in one week at Leeds and York to study Graphic design. Keep the offers rolling in people !

Festive Friday cracker joke ...

Blimey , that's good !

So if you sign up to Amazon student and have an "ac.uk" address and are over 18, you get free delivery plus free prime video and music for 6 months.  Not bad , eh ?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/student/signup/info?tag=moneysavingex-21

Word as image

As a warm up exercise before we plunge headlong into the world of Logo design , AS students are using Ji Lee's "Word as Image" as inspiration. Click on the link below to to see his work animated.


https://youtu.be/J59n8FsoRLE

AS current work

AS graphics are in the processes of designing posters to launch the ASFC recording lable , inviting students to upload tracks for a compilation album. Based on the work of 'joiners' the posters reflect diverse genres of music and have tested the students' knowledge of typography and composition.  The image shown is James Plant's sketches and digital work.

The Colour Wheel

A great link to colour theory - http://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory

PLUS : What colour do you think you are ? Take the test below to see : 

http://www.creativebloq.com/creativity/quiz-what-colour-best-describes-your-personality-31513013

Work for Monday 9th Nov

AS students - please continue with the 4 (or more) experiments using the portrait photos you took , inspired by the Joiners Board on Pinterest.  Make sure you print these out and mount in your sketchbook along with some notes that explain which you think work best.
Make sure all other work is up today date.
A2 students : please continue to think about your brief and way forward.  Begin to research existing products / relevant images for the brief as the 2nd wave of research. Please make sure that the academic piece of research has been done and is annotated. Follow up any points from this in your sketchbook.

Stockport College visit : Nov 23rd All Welcome !

What kind of digital artist are you ?

http://play.bbc.co.uk/play/pen/g4b113tb97?exitGameUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fguides%2Fzqdmp39&palette=colour-palette-1&language=en-GB#

Flying starts for the Class of 2017

The Graphics Classes of 2017 have made a flying start with great work produced. They have been studying the work of illustrator Billie Jean  http://www.billiejean.co.uk/ & worked in sketchbooks to produce adapted transcriptions. As well as learning photoshop skills along the way, this project has enabled them to learn about use of scale, drawing techniques, visual symbolism & composition. Brilliant work.
Pictured here are works by Mo, Michelle & Sam.

Lessons from auschwitz Art project

Each year recently  we have been privileged to take part in this life changing project. Applications from A2 art students interested are due in Oct 2nd to Helen. 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/auschwitz-school-trips-are-helping-children-fight-discrimination-at-home-a6674351.html

It's drawing ...honestly.

There is a wonderful exhibtion at the Lowry which allows you to play ! ADA is a giant , helium filled ball, studded with reinforced charcoal sticks. Visitors are encouraged to push the ball & allow it to float to mark the walls (& floor if you are successful!). The result ? Beautiful areas of dense mark making with negative spaces surrounding. Its a fascinating way to draw & great fun. Have a go -(see the film to see me having a play) - its there til Oct 18th. Follow the link to see the details,

http://www.thelowry.com/exhibitions/whats-on/

Font club...

Arts Award celebrations

The Arts Award certificates have arrived for our first ever Bronze successes -pictured are some of the successful Bronze award winners -left to right :Paige Adshead,  Joshua Findlow and Yasmin Gibson. 
If you are an A2 art student &  want to find out more about the Bronze or Silver award for this autumn, see Helen or check the tab on this blog. AS students will be given the chance to take Bronze in May 2016.

Challenge accepted !

Gaming needs to do a 'better job' at recruiting women - http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/33917727

Visual Arts Apprenticeship at HOME

Visual Arts Apprenticeship at HOME gallery and exhibition: summary

Weekly wage

£246.84

Working week

35 hr wk Mon-Fri 10am - 6pm

Apprenticeship duration

13-18 months

Possible start date

21 Sep 2015

Date posted

2 days ago

Apprenticeship level

Advanced Level Apprenticeship

Reference number

VAC000689376

Positions

1 available

The Programme Assistant is a key support role within the visual art and film teams of HOME, providing administrative support to enable the effective operation of the organisation. The post-holder is responsible for managing the schedules of the Artistic Directors for film and visual art, guest management for both teams, and assisting with events.
Key tasks / Main duties:
a) Provide administrative support to the visual art and film artistic directors, including diary management and coordinating travel arrangements.
b) Provide administrative support for guest management for the film and visual arts teams, including travel booking and confirmation letters for artists and filmmakers.
c) Provide administrative and hands-on support for visual art and film events.
d) Attend and contribute to regular team meetings.
e) To carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required.
The deadline for applications is 10 September 2015. Interviews with shortlisted candidates are likely to take place 17 September 2015.
Want to find out more about HOME? Come for an informal tour on Tuesday 8 September, 11:00-12:00 (RSVP to lee.ashworth@homemcr.org). For an informal chat about your application, please contact Lee Ashworth on 0161 212 3456 or email lee.ashworth@homemcr.org.
CREATIVE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME
This apprenticeship has been created as part of the Creative Employment Programme. The Creative Employment Programme is an Arts Council England fund to support the creation of traineeships, formal apprenticeship and paid internship opportunities in England for unemployed young people wishing to pursue a career in the arts and cultural sector. You can find out more at: http://creative-employment.co.uk/the-creative-employment-programme
There are certain criteria you must meet in order to be eligible to apply for a Creative Employment Programme funded apprenticeship:
- At the time of applying you must be aged 18 to 24 years old and you must be unemployed and registered with the Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching Service. (Note: to apply for an apprenticeship at HOME you must be aged 18 or over by 1 September 2015).
- Applications will only be considered from people permanently resident within the boundary of the City of Manchester. To check you are a resident within the area covered by Manchester City Council, you can see which ward you live in here: www.manchester.gov.uk/councillors
The Programme Assistant is a training position and the post-holder will undertake a programme of on and off the job training with work based guidance and mentoring leading to a 3 qualification in Community Arts. This apprenticeship post is attached to the Government's National Apprentice Framework and therefore to be eligible for consideration for this post you must not hold a degree qualification.

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills

Experience of standard office computer programmes, including Word and Excel.
Excellent people skills, and enjoys regularly communicating with new people through face-to-face, telephone and over email
Enjoys variety and would welcome the opportunity to work with different aspects of the HOME film and visual art programme
Clear communication skills
Good timekeeping and time management skills

Personal qualities

Interest in the processes that support the running of a contemporary arts centre
Enjoys working with schedules
Supportive of team members
Organised and motivated
Committed to the principles of equality and diversity
Friendly and open personality with the ability to communicate with a diverse range of people
Interest in contemporary art and film

Qualifications required

5 GCSEs A*-C, with grade C in English and Maths or equivalent (Desirable)

Future prospects

During the course the apprenticeship, you will gain skills which will be invaluable to securing future work in the arts and cultural sector. HOME will support apprentices to find further opportunities inside and outside the organisation.

Things to consider

You will be based at HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN.
Core office hours are likely to be 10am-6pm, however we may occasionally ask you to work outside of these (for example to support an evening event). Where you are working outside of core hours we will give you this time back in lieu.

Please note if you contact the employer direct you will not be considered for this vacancy

About the employer

HOME is the trading name for Greater Manchester Arts Centre (GMAC).
In April 2015, HOME a new purpose-built centre for international contemporary art, theatre, film and books opened its doors for the first time in Manchester, as part of the vibrant new First Street development.
From gallery to screen via café bar and bookshop, HOME will redefine the contemporary arts centre, creating a space where ideas, hopes and moments of wonder ricochet off walls and lodge themselves in the headspace of audiences old and new.
Formed by the merger of two of Manchester’s best-loved arts organisations, Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company, the new organisation aims to make a HOME for curiosity seekers, for lovers of the dramatic, the digital and the deeply engaging, for radicals and reciprocators.
HOME’s two new theatres - a 500 seat theatre and 150 seat flexible studio space - will be a playful platform for new, commissioned work. The five cinema screens will light up with challenging, independent film work. The 500m² 4m high gallery space will be home to the very best in contemporary art. The café bar and restaurant will offer delicious food and inviting spaces to relax and discuss in.
This will be more than stage and screen, however. HOME will be a centre for co-production, artistic creation and sharing. It will be dedicated to learning, for people of all ages. A place for new work and playful ideas; of festivals and commissions; of artists and of audience engagement.

Employer

GREATER MANCHESTER ARTS CENTRE LIMITED

http://homemcr.org/

Address

2 Tony Wilson Place

Manchester

GreaterManchester

M15 4FN

You must have JavaScript enabled to view a map of the location

Training provider

Full Community Arts Apprenticeship including Functional Skills and Technical Certificate

Apprenticeship framework

Community Arts

The training provider has achieved a sector success rate of 75% for this type of apprenticeship training.

Training provider

SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Applications for this apprenticeship are being processed by South Essex College

Contact

The NOVA Partnership Central Services Team can be contacted on: (Southend)01702 220593. Contact details for all the NOVA Partners can be found on our website: www.nova.org.uk

Other information

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £2.73 per hour. From October 1st 2015 it increases to £3.30 per hour. This applies to 16-18 year old Apprentices and those aged 19 and over in the first year of their Apprenticeship. For all other Apprentices the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies.
The Minimum Wage for Apprentices applies to time spent on the job plus time spent training

Before you apply

Before you apply for an apprenticeship you must first create an account. If you already have an account you'll need to sign in.

Sign in to apply

Closing date: 10 Sep 2015

Welcome aboard !

It's been so good to meet the first students signing up today for Graphics and other courses. It's been a busy day with tomorrow's second enrolment ready to go. Do come and see us , whatever your results are -whether they have exceeded your expectations or you have missed out on grades. We have specialist staff to talk to you about options. Don't forget to pick up your wrist bands too !

NEW STUDENTS - check the tab on the right of the page "New Students" to look at the first lesson's task. 

Vintage travel posters - unit 3 theme ?

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20150817-vintage-tourism-posters-railways-britain?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=BBC_iWonder&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=knowledge_and_learning

Class of 2015 - we salute you !

We couldn't be prouder of our Class of 2015 A2 students who achieved wonderful results again this year for Graphic Design. Joe Casey, Liam Rogers, Charlotte Kearney & Karolina Gliwa all gained A* grades in Graphics with Jessie May Roberts, Dimitris Solomou, & Aidan Robinson all achieving A Grades. Well deserved. 

There were many students who achieved brilliant results & will now progress onto their choice of University degree or career path. Thanks for all your hard work folks - you have been a great year.

Not to be outdone, the grades followed a similar pattern of success with 100% pass rate on both AS & A2 graphics design courses - once again , with good numbers across As & B grades ! 

Congratulations to all students - on both class of 2015 & class of 2016 on a very impressive set of results. Have a Big Summer Blowout to celebrate ! 

Travelling ? Try a journal ...

Travelling abroad or having a staycation ? Rather than adding yet another to your fridge magnet collection, why not try a travel journal -the link attached explains how.

http://www.printmag.com/illustration/travel-sketchbook/

So long for the summer...

So the art staff have left for the summer - and we have to sadly say a very fond farewell to Cathy Mathias - the fine art teacher of 15 years as she moves down to Brighton to be neater her family. We wish her the very best of luck for the future and she leaves behind an outstanding legacy of wonderful art work. We welcome at the same time , Sarah Wilkinson to the Art dept from Oldham Hulme and know that she will continue to develop the fine art work to take it even further.
Staff are making the most of their hols with visits to Japan , Canada , Cornwall , Anglesey and California. Staff are back on August 20th to begin enrolling the #class2016 !see you then! 

A taste of things to come ...

Visitors to the Graphics department had a taste of the type of work they will be trying in September by taking part in a workshop based around abstract typography. Using photoshop skills, Year 10 & Year 11 students took a basic font style & manipulated it with colour, reflection tools & invert tools to create a pattern / branding for "Size?" shoe retailer. They then applied the design to shoe boxes with some great results. Well done all - here are a few examples produced on the day. 

Digital testers wanted by the BBC !

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/internet/entries/b2b7ac65-ed44-4b34-9c79-d86b62be84e7?ns_mchannel=email&ns_source=inxmail_newsletter&ns_campaign=pan_bbc_020715&ns_linkname=2content_object_right&ns_fee=0

Probably the best workshop in the world ?

 So yesterday our students were privileged to work with MIF2015, Studio Distract, Into Film, Manchester Art Gallery & Ed Atkins. It was an amazing workshop with the students being introduced firstly to the Festival www.MIF.co.uk . MIF is a biennial festival premiering works in the city for 2 weeks - none of the work has ever been seen before & is ground breaking stuff. Have a look on the link to see more.

The students then got to work on the software Maya & Mudbox creating 3D avatars inspired by the work of Ed Atkins & a piece of their own personal text.

The afternoon saw the students trying out the Performance Capture suits (think Andy Serkis as Gollum & you have the same technology) & being given a tour of the studio by Steve from Studio Distract. He talked to the students about the technology but also about career paths & work in the media. A 10 minute highlight was also the chat from Ed Atkins - the internationally famous artist & film maker - who also talked about the MIF project & his illustrations.

3D Avatar workshop

Students are creating the most amazing 3d avatars this morning with Maya  and Mud box software - this morning has seen them work with Studio Distract to learn the basics of the program whilst creating a basic avatar to add their voice to. This afternoon will see them add text and performance capture to the head.

Ed Atkins workshop

So we're on our way to a workshop with Ed Atkins today -working with Studio Distract and Manchester International Festival 2015 at Manchester Gallery.  More later ....!

Making an IMPACT !

Many thanks to all who helped set up our leavers' celebration & exhibition yesterday - the work certainly made an impact & looked very professional. Students and staff had worked so hard over the past week to showcase the work from the past year from all our courses. If you missed the opening evening , why not give us a ring & pop down to view the work. Telephone us on 0161 330 2330 . 

Principal Dr Janet Nevin & Councillor Bill Fairfoull looking at the work. 

Alex Langton, Charotte Kearney, Alex Wood & Tim Abrams of the A2 year. 

What on earth have we been doing all year ?

Want to see what we've been upto all year ? have a look at this short film !

Software for summer !

GREAT NEWS !

Adobe have reset their free trials. Even if you have previously had a free trial you can get it again which is Adobe's way of showing you any new features that they have added. If you choose to continue and pay for membership to Adobe Creative Cloud after the free trial, both teachers and students can get 65% off standard prices. The free trial will certainly allow you to familiarise yourself with the new features before September. You can trial any Adobe software including Photoshop CC, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, Premiere, etc:

Alternatively there is still PIXlr and Gimp for free software.

Check it out!

http://www.adobe.com/uk/downloads.html

 

MAKE AN IMPACT

MAKE AN IMPACT
End of year Art Exhibition
June 29th 5-7.30 preview.
 

Top places to visit over summer ....part 1.

Ian Brown famously said that "Manchester has everything except a beach" so if you are an art student holidaying at home this summer, try ticking off as many of these as you can & adding them to your sketchbook . All research is good research !

1. The Manchester International Festival 2015 is happening between 2- 19th July with premiered works from far & wide. Check out the festival tent in Albert square for fab food & celeb spotting   http://www.mif.co.uk/events/

2. John Rylands Library - Manchester's own mini Hogwarts. Beautiful architecture , carvings & mysterious corners
http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands FREE

3. The Royal Exchange Theatre - a 7 sided space capsule theatre in the round within the old Exchange building. Free to enter the building istelf - visitors can walk around the outside of the theatre & stop for coffee, lunch or gaze at the pink & gold columns, http://www.royalexchange.co.uk FREE


4. Step back in time to see the Eygptology & Dinosaurs sections at Manchester Museum http://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/. FREE

5. The People's Museum - see how Manchester shaped the world through graphics of protest & politics http://www.phm.org.uk/whatson/main-gallery-one-4/

6. Experience the peace of the Jewish Museum on Cheetham Hill and seee the beautiful stained glass & the Torah scrolls. They have a thought provoking exhibition of the Holocaust too. http://www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com/whats-on

A different side of beauty .........

Despite soggy & tired feet, the students & staff left MMU Art school degree shows very inspired by the work .
From the eye popping acrylic jewellery in the 3D course to the finely etched architectural pieces , from the structured typography of the graphics & fluid watercolours of the illustration ...& the thought provoking custard cream (if you didn't see, it , you had to be there..) , there seemed to be s vast array of talent & variety. Students will use this work as inspiration in their summer sketchbooks to begin focussing a theme for their A2 work in September.

Every generation

A rather gorgeous piece of typography greeting us at MMU degree show today ...

PinCo Collage maker

PinCo is a great new find - the site (in Google Chrome) allows you to pin the app to your tool bar & then create college / moodboards direct from your boards . 

You can shuffle these around, enlarge & edit images - download & print them. An excellent resourse for sketchbooks. Try it via the link below. 

PinCo link