2016 ..Brexit

Take a look at @graphicsasfc's Tweet: https://twitter.com/graphicsasfc/status/813450689162702849?s=09

Tense........

This year's Malteser challenge has been tense - with Group B in AS achieving a Strong 12ft . Some excellent team work from Grace & Beth with the nerves getting to Joe later on with some Tape measure rage . 

Group G in AS rose to the challenge & went to an impressive 18ft with Captain Lewis at the helm, aided by Jamie choosing the kneeling stance rather than the vertical stand. Lewis favoured a controversial all-man team in his final line up with an impressive 4 man squad snatching victory.  

A2s are in training to retain their championship title from last year ... watch this space .... (& the videos) 

Fancy winning £200 & international fame ?

Fancy winning £200 & international fame ?Of course you do! 

We have been approached to design a logo for the International Opticians Association whose current logo is here : 

The Deadline is Jan 6t.  If your design is then chosen by the international panel it will go on to be used in communications ( presentations, website, business cards etc ) . It will also feature you as the international winning logo creator in a piece for the online newsletter or website for the world to see. This will look great on any Uni or job applications !!

The organiser of the competition says ! "ASFC have been chosen because I know the staff in the art department and I know what a talented group of individuals you are. Put down the mince pies and egg-nog and design something fantastic."

Take a look at the illustration workshop with Stockport College 

Workshops update !

A2 students - please look out for an email about the Huddersfield Graphics Taster day on DEC 14th - you will need to sign up to a link to register your name to secure your place on the day (don't worry , it's still free !) 

ALSO Dec 8th 2pm : Stockport college are coming our way to give a practical workshop in Illustration & Graphics - AS students can sign up to this as well so look out for the workshop sign up sheet in A1.1

Need to know more about Stockport College : have a look at this link to their recent Art trip to Berlin:
http://www.stockport.ac.uk/art-school-residential-berlin/
The workshop will use the Poem "The Jabberwocky" - try this link here :
The Jabberwocky

Manchester Metropolitan Character design workshop

A2 Student Mo Morris attended a workshop at Manchester Metropolitan University with their Outreach department this weekend - looking at Character design. During the workshop the students were given strategies to help bring characters to life. Mo will use this work in his A2 Personal investigation project as his project is comic book illustration.  

Huddersfield Uni Visit

It was great to see Huddersfield Uni tutors from the Art dept today - John from the Graphic Design dept talked to students about the 3 degree courses in Graphic Design, Graphics & Animation ; & Animation design . John talked about graduates , portfolios, placements & opportunities.

Inspiring stuff ! And we got an invite to workshops & taster days at Huddersfield .

Here is a link to the book that John recommended that you all read.

Recommended Book

Class work for today

Dear all, Helen is poorly today but your lessons will be covered so please look at the relevant section of the blog for details .
AS - complete the time line and ensure that your sketchbook is up to date.
A2- Work on the Practical response to Artist 2.

Helen will be back tomorrow.

Class work for today

Dear all, Helen is poorly today but your lessons will be covered so please look at the relevant section of the blog for details .
AS - complete the time line and ensure that your sketchbook is up to date.
A2- Work on the Practical response to Artist 2.

Helen will be back tomorrow.

This is a busy week in the Art department - please remember that

- Tues 9-12 in A1.1 there will be a Logo design workshop run by Dave Edgar. ALL students using Logo design as their theme in A2 MUST attend & there are some spare places as well. See the list in the classroom.
WEDS 10-11 , we will welcome tutors from Huddersfield Uni for a talk on Graphics & illustration - all welcome but please let me know if you need authorised absence form another lesson.

DATES - NEW !

Winter Term Calendar for AS / A2

When less is actually more....

Have a look at this article by Demilked - when "clients" alter / ruin famous Graphic Designs .........

http://www.demilked.com/ruined-famous-artwork-ad-campaign-grapheine/

If you need a copy of Microsoft office, check on the VLE (find it through "Myday" & follow the links to download it on your PC 

Update on MMU course

PLEASE NOTE - if you wish to book the course tel 0161 247 5020 to access the 50% off code MP50. 

Let me know if you have problems on hps@asfc.ac.uk. 

DO YOU WANT A GREAT GRADE in GRAPHICS ???!!

Yes, of course you do .. so have a look at this workshop run by MMU costing £13.50 for 2 days (use the code MP50 to get the discount) . All the details are here - yes it means giving up 2 days of your hols BUT you will gain vast experience of working with Graphics designers & produce work to go in your A'level folder !
Details on the link below - have a think & apply ...!


27 & 28th Oct. 10am - 5pm.


http://www.art.mmu.ac.uk/events/2016/think-big-take-graphic-design-to-the-next-level/

Character & drawing Competition!!

Calling all illustrators - try this competition from the BBC. Closing date 26th Oct.
BBC Radio 4 - Stardust - Draw Neil Gaiman's Stardust http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4m9W7cDHhnCDrBlBrkmL2YW/draw-neil-gaimans-stardust

Character & drawing Competition!!

Calling all illustrators - try this competition from the BBC. Closing date 26th Oct.
BBC Radio 4 - Stardust - Draw Neil Gaiman's Stardust http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4m9W7cDHhnCDrBlBrkmL2YW/draw-neil-gaimans-stardust

Art apprenticeship opportunity ?

https://twitter.com/artsjobs/status/786106910466506752?s=09

Google-doodles

Jack Beech in A2 Graphics has produced 2 mini-animations as i-dents for Google as part of his A2 work on minimalism & logo design - have a look here , great work ! 

MMU short courses...

MMU Short courses for Graphics students - click on the links below - the course are in Stockport - great opportunities !!


MMU Short courses - character design
2 day graphic design course MMU

A font for the world ?

Helvetica, should, apparently move over and make way for "No more tofu" - a new typeface designed by many global designers , that spans all cultures & languages & is accessible to all . See what you think by clicking on the link below.


A typeface for the world...

Art visit to MOSI - thankyou to all the art students who joined us & were, as always great ambassadors for college. The sun shone & a million photos were taken - don't forget to download these & keep them for next week when we will use them in the next project . Click on the link below to see a short film of the day.

https://quik.gopro.com/v/TpUhkpnuWo/

Media City Facebook live ..!

Click on here to see a live talk and Q&A with Matthew Petty, Director of Tracks and Layers (Motion Graphics, Visual Effects and Video Editing Facility located at MediaCityUK).

https://www.facebook.com/ashtonsixthformcollege/%3E2pm%3Chttps://www.facebook.com/ashtonsixthformcollege/

Feeling anxious ?...breathe........

 http://imgur.com/gallery/Huou7Gh

Breath in as the shape expands & out as it contracts.

PAINT & PROTEST !

The link below is to a great programme which looks at Stencil Graffiti
artists like Blek le Rat (the original Banksy !!) & their inspiration
Have a listen !

"Contributors include Blek Le Rat (the "father of stencil graffiti" from Paris), Roc Blackblock who creates massive murals on Barcelona's walls, and 'Cripta' Djan Ivson who scales São Paulo's historic buildings to cover them with stark, crude lettering known as "pixação".


LINK : Graffiti : Paint & Protest

Links here to other Graffiti programmes

Enrolment task for new students

Looking for the Enrolment task for 2016 ?  Try this link below which will take you to the page .

https://asfcgraphics.blogspot.co.uk/p/new-students-sept-2016.html

Results news

Congratulations on all the results in art - & in graphics this year . Good Luck to all students who are off to pastures new at University & those who have already begun work or an apprencticeship . If you are still looking , check out clearing at Unis & keep an eye out on out twitter as we always try to post opportunities that are useful.

Special mentions to A2s Callan, Jessica & Josh (amongst other successes) with A*s & As & -
to AS students Simon, Abu-Bakr, Mo, Sam, Amy & Leah for A grades.

The AS results were a little surprising as the Grade Boundaries have been moved by Eduqas & other exam boards . We had been given grade boundaries of :
A 80 B 70 C 60 D 50 E 40
The 2016 grade boundaries have now been set at :
A 87 B 77 C 67 D 57 E 48

Staff will look at marks & grades fully with students in the new term - remember that no marks from AS go towards A'level so its a clean slate if you didn't do as well as you'd hoped.
Finally, please continue to have a good break & look at the work given to you over the holiday (don't leave it til last minute !!).
Please email us if you have queries - see you in September.

Don't panic !!!!

We're almost there ! Only 2 days until Results day - remember that you will need your college account password to log in to get your results. If you are heading into college for results, please take your student Id with you.

If you have a Uni query - please be aware that clearing doesn't usually get started until Friday 19th & most Unis are reviewing results themselves on 18th - so don't expect to be able to get a definitive answer about your Uni place. If you have any queries for an Art qualification ,please contact your subject teacher or Helen on hps@asfc.ac.uk. Staff will get back to you asap.

Good Luck - & don't panic !

Textiles workshops

Textiles workshops ! Try it out ...

http://www.librarylive.co.uk/event/shared-sky-exhibition-workshops/

Yes I can !

In case you've been too busy with either graphics summer research or Pokemon Go, this brilliant advert appeared this week ahead of Rio 2016. Watch and be inspired!

https://youtu.be/IocLkk3aYlk

Welcome year 10s & Year 11S !

Welcome to the year 10s visiting us today & the year 11s on Friday -
below is the image that you will be using in the Graphics taster day workshop.

Its our End of year Exhibition celebration tonight from 5- 7.30 - we'd love it if you came to join us !

Please check with your subject teacher if you are confused as when lessons are on or not - we have the moderators from the exam board here this week as well as the A2 students prepping their show, so its a busy week. (Tues , Graphics room closed - work on independent work)
Please ensure that you know what time on weds you are meeting (10am or 2pm?) & that you have checked the map / location.

Summer research questions- example

In the image is an example of one of the questions for summer. Pick 4 out of the 11 listed.  Wel can go over these in class again to help. Remember these are intended to help deepen your knowledge of design and stimulate ideas for your theme choice in September. Don't simply copy off the Internet but think about what the question means to you.

ITV UEFA Euro 2016 - Titles from Kim Teddy on Vimeo.

Beautiful titles for Euro2016 ITV inspired by 1930s Travel posters .

ASFC ART 2016

ASFC ART 2016

June 13th return ....

LINK for AS research

Don't forget that before June 13th & your return to lessons , you need to read the handout in the link here & begin to think about which areas of research you are going to look at. Try to buy an A3 sketchbook from the college shop in readiness.

The little film below will show you a taste of what you will see at the Degree shows - don't forget the dates - see the notice board outside A1.1 for full info.


Degree shows 2015

OOh , nice shoes !

Agnecy Goldenwolf have produced this timeline of Nike shoes - nice ! 

Cities of HOPE

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2016/jun/01/manchester-street-art-draws-attention-to-social-issues-in-pictures?utm_content=buffer61ee5&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

End of Year Art Show 2016 - A2 students - prep starts June 20th

Cities of hope

Do have a look at the most amazing work that features in the Cities of Hope festival currently  mostly in the Northern Quarter and Ancoats .The festival brings international artists to create huge scale pieces that raise awareness of the social issues in that city. Follow the Instagram link below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BF-7QwYA-uT/

Trip-tastic !

Greetings students , just a quick post to wish you well with your continuing exams & a reminder that lessons start again on June 13th .


There are many trips in the weeks of June - just to clarify ...


Weds June 15th : Trip to see the Design degree shows at UCLAN (15 places - sign up in A1.1) (no cost)
Weds June 22nd : ALL ART STUDENTS to the degree shows at MMU - you will be advised whether you are AM / PM on June 13th / 14th. (no cost)
Thurs 23rd June: Trip to see the degree shows at Huddersfield Uni (50 places - almost gone - sign up outside A1.1) (no cost)
Weds June 29th : Trip for a Graphics workshop at Huddersfield Uni - sign up for this through STUDENT ENRICHMENT day. (15 places)


If you need to see Art staff about any worries you have , please pop & see us in the art rooms ...we miss you !


A2 students - don't forget to sign up for the End of year exhibition ! Daniel Riley is off this week so see any other member of staff.

Interactive Student look-books

Elliot's Mental health book

Latest Art jobs !

Follow the link here for a couple great opportunities worth applyong for  in TV land !
https://app.hiive.co.uk/job-roles/tv/art-department/art-department-runner/

City of Hope ..

Go on ...admit it - you're missing Graphics lessons aren't you ?
So follow this link to a cracker of an outdoor arts festival in Manchester in May where 9 street artists will bring colour to the rainy city.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/cities-of-hope-artists-names-11229193

One down , 2 to go !

Congratulations to the first cohort of Art students who competed their 12 hour exams today. Well done . Just a reminder about exam times next week for cohort 2.
Monday ; arrive at 8.50 to set up and prep.
Exam begins at 9.30 am till 12.30 & then 1.30 till 3.30
Tues is as Monday.
Weds ; exam begins 9.30 till 11.30.
All sketchbook work and evaluations are to be complete and handed in by 3.30 that day.
Those students with exam access arrangements should already be aware of the extra time they are allowed. 
Please see a member of staff if you have a query.

Lost and found !

Lots of USB sticks have been  left in graphics - are any of these yours ?

Fri 29th - ALL Art lesson are on !!!

No lessons are cancelled in art today - please attend as normal .

GOOGLE DRIVE LINK HERE

Street Art treasure hunt ...

Follow this link for a street art treasure hunt in Manchester - a great start to your summer research !

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/cities-hope-graffiti-manchester-c215-11215527

Huddersfield Uni event

A2 students - applied to Huddesrfield Uni ? Why not pop to see their latest exhibition ? 

We're almost there !!

Students ,you are almost there & final pieces are on their way to completion. We're very excited about seeing your work & how much you've developed over the year. There are some very skilful & creative ideas being worked on in the studios at the moment . Check your email for the link to the Google Drive to upload your work. 
At the end of your final piece, you will need to evaluate your journey - use the link below to help with prompt questions. As well as a written evaluation,you should produce an exploded evaluation as well. 

AS evaluation sheet & prompts here !

Exploded Evaluation below :

Week beginning April 18th 2016 : 

AS students - you should be working on the final stage of their FINAL pieces this week with these due in on 25th April.

If you are ready to add work Insitu - you might want to follow this link to a Pinterest board to help you :

Putting work Insitu

The link is here google drive link to show how to send your work electronically to Helen.

Next week is the final week of the course & you will be working on all sketchbooks before the hand in date of April 28th (group A) April 29th (groups B, G) .

A2 students : These are the penultimate weeks before your exams start on May 3rd (please check your cohorts on the board outside graphics) .
You should be prepping a final piece mock up now using the intended media & images.

Zaha Hadid

Zaha Hadid 1950 - 2016:

Although not a graphic designer , still very influential in terms of our contemporary art world, we were saddened to hear of the sudden death of Zaha Hadid - one of the world's most renowned architects. Have a look back at some of her revolutionary work in the links below.

https://youtu.be/qDxzKn_t4Mc



http://www.dezeen.com/2016/04/01/zaha-hadid-best-buildings-architecture-hufton-crow-favourite-photographs/

Packaging design inspiration

Have a look at these new packaging designs - quite a few of them are for bottles and lables. Great research for the Metropolis project.

http://www.howdesign.com/design-creativity/projects-profiles/beautiful-projects-packaging-design-inspiration/

Packaging design inspiration

Have a look at these new packaging designs - quite a few of them are for bottles and lables. Great research for the Metropolis project.

http://www.howdesign.com/design-creativity/projects-profiles/beautiful-projects-packaging-design-inspiration/

ARTS AWARD STUDENTS ...

ARTS AWARD STUDENTS : 

If at all possible, please can you get sections 1 & 2 complete & then I can assess these on Weds afternoon . Remember that
SECTION A Take part in the Arts (ie practical work) 
- Explore & list different arts that you may try
- Plan where / when the activity will take place & what it will entail
- Describe what happened in the activity & show images
- Evaluate & say what was enjoyable / what you learned

SECTION B: Experience the Arts : (ie visit an Art event) 
- Explore & list different arts events that you may visit
- Plan how you will get to the activity OR evidence some information about the activity
- Show images and evidence items like leaflets / bus tickets etc
- Evaluate & say what was enjoyable / what you felt about the experience - & whether you would recommend the event to others.

Section C : Research the Arts : 

See the link below for a list of questions for section 3. 
Section 3 question sheet

Begin to think about the next sections : SECTION C (research an artist / genre) & SECTION D - Skill share .

If you still need to do section A or simpky want to extend your skill, have a look at the link below which is a FREE workshop in ceramics at Manchester Craft Centre over the Easter Break.

Ceramic Workshop link

New beginnings - free show and light display 7.30 Saturday

Follow the link for details of the relaunch of Ashton Baths . A not-to-be-missed opportunity for primary sources but also to celebrate and be involved with a great local event .
http://ow.ly/i/hhMDh

A great little film showing the design process, as carried out by a design firm in USA. From initial design concepts & ideas through to primary sources & digital modifications, it shows how all designers move through the creative cycle. 

The Design process plus CHECKLISTS -updated versions!

This next week , the AS students are continuing with the design process. Having started initial ideas & layouts , we will be looking at further experiments & media - pushing & exploring skills. The design process (as shown in the image) is a cyclical one - one "round" of creativity & experimentation should propel you to the next.

The A2 students will be concluding the Research phase & moving swiftly on to the design & create stage by the end of this week.

Click the links below to find the updated checklists - update yours in your sketchbook please !

A2 Unit 4 checklist

AS Checklist

New worksheet on how to evaluate your practical work

The bit with all the drawing .....

AS Students - you should be reaching the end of the research phase now & the design phase is beginning. 

• Revisit your brief & the research , looking at which parts you feel are strongest. 
• You need to begin to sketch out your initial ideas - see the images here to help - & don't forget to allow ideas to develop, 
• Don't be tempted to rub out a sketch as soon as you draw it - let ideas DEVELOP. Sometimes the worst sketch & idea can turn on its head ,given time & work. 
• Click on the link below to see some examples of designers' sketching for Poster design, packaging, logos, book covers etc. The videos give an look at logo design - you can see how a designer refines & develops the idea over & over again ....no rubbing out !! The films also show how the ideas are then taken to photoshop - this is the next stage . 
• REMEMBER that the design process applies to all the graphic outcomes - whether a lable for a beer bottle, a book cover or a character design.
• Start with drawing ! ....in pencil ! 

LINK :
Examples of design sketching

Sharing the skills !

There has been some serious sharing of good skills recently in graphics - Alex , an A2 student has been mentoring the AS students including Niall and Leighton,  in concept digital art whilst Paige and Jess helped demonstrate print and mixed media to a workshop last week. In addition to the great benefit to the AS students,  this means that the A2 students can use this for a section of their Arts Award qualification.  

Remembering families

This Week we welcome Caroline Slifkin of the Holocaust Educational Department to the Graphics deptartment where she gave several talks on the Holocaust & Art work created during & after. The students were able to ask questions about the process - from Pre-War life , to Victim groups, to the Ghettos & camps & to survivor testimonies.

Following this the students responded by creating Memorial Albums which celebrated the lives of the victims & their families - giving a voice back to the voiceless. The students responded creatively with sensitive thought & diverse media such as wax & encaustic , collage , layering. The fine art students also worked with Caroline to create work inspired by Christina Boltanski.

Visit http://asfcfineart.blogspot.co.uk/ to view the work.

Keeping the memory alive

This weds (Feb 24th & 25th) we will be offering workshops lead by Holocaust Educator & artist Caroline Slifkin , in Graphics & in Fine Art. The workshops , offer an insight into why the Holocaust happened , who it affected & asks questions - could it happen again ? ALL AS Art student is invited to attend - please see staff for details of times. The workshops will be practical & students will produce art work as a response. 

Times : Graphics Workshop P1&2 Weds , P6&7. Fine Art workshops : P1&2 Thurs, P6&7 Thurs. 

Half term (free) ideas...

Grab your camera & experience the best your city has to offer - there are a huge number of places to take photos & primary sources for both AS & A2 students - why not start with : 

MOSI Victorian funfair

A great place to visit for the Metropolis brief - MOSI (free entrance) has everything from sewers & huge machines, to space age equipment. Brilliant for primary sources.

The Grafitti trail

Manchester Gallery

The Football Museum at URBIS

Whats on in Manchester & the area ...

That spring feeling....

It could have been the sudden sunshine that filled the studio today but there is some excellent exploration work happening in the Graphics department just now - with A2 students enthusiastically researching the new ideas for the Unit 4. Students have been marbling paper, screenprinting & trapping items in waxed teabags in the pursuit of a direction for the Art exam themes. Ellisa has been creating stunning intricate  paper cuts (& yes, she cut these by hand !!) whilst Josh has been looking at the theme of "Encased" and using colour psychology to convey emotions. Josh filled 5 pots with coloured inks that represented anxiety, anger, joy, truth & serenity. The large vase represented the dominant emotion. Thought provoking & beautiful. 

Chinese New Year celebrations begin !

The Year of the Monkey celebrations have begun in Manchester with a stunning light display seen here on St Anne's church.  The festivities continue until Sunday with the Dragon parade from Manchester town hall -beginning at 12.30. If you've never seen this , join the celebrations and the 175ft long dragon and hundreds of red lanterns. Brilliant for primary sources and research. 

Jess's mood board of initial ideas for Unit 4

Retro research day....

So we travelled back in time to 1985 when laptops and smart phones were a glimmer of the future. The A2s were challenged to research using only books , magazines and papers. The Internet and Google is amazing but sometimes it can actually limit your searches.  Our research wall shows the wealth of images and ideas found.

CREATIVE FUTURES 

Wondering about Art at University ? Try this FREE event at MMU . FEB 4th 6-8pm. 

Find out what it means for students to study art, design, media and architecture subjects at university. This event offers visitors the chance to engage with School of Art staff and students through talks, tours and creative demonstrations.

http://www.art.mmu.ac.uk/events/2016/creative-futures/

Devoid of designers ?

Peeved with Pinterest ? Bored with Behance ? Grouchy with Google ? 

Try these instead , for a change....
http://www.partfaliaz.com/
http://designspiration.net/
http://www.demilked.com/

PROUD POST ALERT !

It must be something in the air as the University offers keep rolling in for our A2 Graphics students ! So far all students who have had interviews have gained offers with Congratulations going to Tom & Lewis both being given unconditional offers for 3D design at MMU & Animation at Salford Uni. 

York St John & Huddersfield Uni have offered places on their Graphic Design degree whilst Games Design offers have been given from Salford, Future Works & Sheffield Hallam . 

Many more students are in the process of prepping portfolios for interviews with a staggering 22 interviews in the calendar over the next few week ! 

Many of the students will continue their journey here before moving to Uni & have applied to the Art foundation course at Ashton Sixth Form College .

The AS Art students will get lots of advice in the summer term when we visit the degree shows but it's never too early to think about University choices so please speak to staff if you need advice.

Congratulations to all those who have gained offers so far & good luck to those awaiting interviews. 

Express yourself !



Starts Jan 25th 4-5pm in A1.1 - enjoy producing the Art you like AND gain a qualification for it ! 



Bargain !

This 'Draw with Marvel' may have pretty ropey content but for 99p you get a metal ruler,  a Fineliner,  a pencil and a rubber. Bargain !

Happy Birthday Roy !

The name Roy Batty might not mean much to some of you but its his birthday today - & not just his birthday but his actual birth day ie the day he was born / created / made etc. 

Ridley Scott's Blade Runner (released 1982) starring a relatively unknown Harrison Ford & Rutger Hauer is a classic sci fi film. If you haven't see it , please do - its a great one for the "Metropolis" brief .

Here's a link to a clip where Roy Batty (A replicant whom Harrison Ford has to hunt down) turns hunted to hunter. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dA3DePirsE