Newspaper final by bcuagency

this is

issue one

intro / this is 04-05 Luke Tonge 06-07 / look inside / this is Nina 08-09 Baillie / 11-12 events 03

contributors Editor in Chief Theodora Pangos Editor Liam Blunden Creative Director Taylor Lantelli Director Emily Goater Cover Design Henry Barton-Wong With Thanks to Nina Baillie, Nora Bruno, Aidan Mooney, Steve Robinson & Luke Tonge

this is Welcome to issue one of This is! A newspaper founded and designed by The Agency; a student driven design agency based in the Visual Communication area at Birmingham City University. In this issue we bring you an in depth interview with Luke Tonge of Life Agency. He tells us all about his experience in the creative industry and what shaped him into who he is today. We also interviewed third year student Nina Baillie - an incredibly talented photographer with a love for cinema. All contents copyright ÂŠ 2016 The Agency, published with permission or under license. Acting in partnership with Birmingham City University School of Visual Communication. All rights reserved. No part of this newspaper may be stored, transmitted or used in any way without prior written permission of the publisher. All information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. The Agency cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any changes and updates to them. If you submit any unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant The Agency a license to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the newspaper, including licenced editions worldwide and in any physical or digital format throughout the world. Any material submitted is sent at your risk and, although every care is taken, The Agency and its employees, contractors and subcontractors shall not be liable for loss or damage.

Our look inside feature lets you see what professional studios look like and an insight into their ethos. In addition to this weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve curated an incredible list of events happening between June and October. Some of the years most exciting things are happening in summer; namely the D&AD new blood festival on the 5 - 7th July. This issues cover designer is Henry Barton-Wong. A gifted graphic designer, illustrator and avid photographer. You can see his work over at wongdesign.uk.

this is Luke

Luke Tonge is a senior creative at Life Agency and Art director of Monotypes ‘The Recorder’ magazine. He took some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few of The Agency’s questions. The Agency: So Luke what originally made you want to become a graphic designer? Luke: Graphic design made me want to become a graphic designer! I just didn’t know it at the time. As a kid I collected stickers and badges, was obsessed with Asterix, and spent more time illustrating my schoolwork than writing it. As a teenager (along with punk rock, BMX and skate culture) I was obsessed with magazines, music packaging and film posters. They were the holy-trinity of printed visual culture. I would later realize this hooked me into this wonderful graphic-design-life. TA: What would be your ideal project at this stage of your career?

L: It’s with a very happy heart I can say my ideal project is the one I currently get to work on! If you’d told student-Luke that before I hit 30 I would be art-directing an international magazine about typography for a respected client like Monotype (with total creative freedom and a generous budget) I would’ve called you a liar-liar-pants-on-fire. Now I’m 31 I’m just hoping I can continue to find trusting clients with deep pockets who want me to design magazines! TA: What part of the design process gives you the most satisfaction? L: Probably the very beginning and the very end annoyingly the longest part is usually the middle! The beginning because once I take a brief, my mind races off at a hundred miles an hour. Connections are made then ideas and potential outcomes start to form. The end because it can be incredibly satisfying to see a project realized - especially if its effective, the clients are happy and time has been well spent. The difficult middle section is where all the slog and graft tends to be. This is the bit that takes away your sleep. It makes you HATE all software, hardware and want to explode with rage when things go wrong just as you’re about to hit command+S… TA: How did you become involved with publishing and what do you enjoy most about editorial design? L: I’d only ever dabbled with publishing until I was in my first studio role. Here’s where I had some ‘proper’ exposure to brand magazines for the likes of BUPA, Eurostar and the Post Office. The experience (along with some University Prospectus jobs) gave me the confidence I needed when asked to design a publication called Blue Watch for a talented photographer - & long-time collaborator - friend of mine, Jonathan Cherry. Another contributor to that project was a writer, Davey Spens. Shortly after he was looking for a designer to help him realize his vision of a new sort of travel magazine (along with his editor wife, Erin). That’s how I came to art-direct and design my first ‘proper’ magazine, which they named after their studio, Boat. I enjoy everything about editorial design

– the discipline, the attention to detail and craft required, the possibility to take someone on a journey, the tactile nature of print and the way people connect with it. I love that each page, spread or article can have its own distinct personality, which then takes its place in an issue, which in turn lives within a magazine title or ’brand’. There’s also a real dichotomy in magazine making I enjoy both sides to: it requires long periods of focused solo working - yet also a huge amount of collaboration and team work, especially between editor and art-director. TA: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given? L: Tough question as there’s so many nuggets of goodness in my head that I’ve picked up over the years. I love to bring them out now and again to inspire myself! Much of the great advice I’ve received is from my old man, Poppa Tonge. I’m going to go with “Measure twice, cut once.” Its something he instilled in me decades ago and has saved my bacon on many an occasion since. Our digital tools are very forgiving these days. When working with print its still invaluable to check and double check before doing anything tangible. The best advice in my opinion is generally simple, practical and memorable. It doesn’t have to be all lofty linguistics and idealistic convoluted verbiage ;) TA: Who or what has been the biggest single influence on your way of thinking? L: In terms of ‘design-thinking’ I’d have to say a what rather than a who – and that what is Falmouth University, or FCA as it was when I was there. Revered as one of the best creative learning communities, they place an emphasis on ideas. That focus has stood me in good stead ever since. There was a real sense of equipping us. Not just with technical or craft skills, but with critical thinking and conceptual confidence. Sharing work early and often with our ‘learning teams’ taught us not to be precious about it and to help tweak and improve each other’s. It turns out this is exactly what happens in agency life on a daily basis. I feel very fortunate to have had that grounding and input right at the start of my career. TA: What would you say is your strongest skill and how have you honed that skill over the years? L: My mac skills are OK, but I’m certainly no technical whizz or coding genius. One thing I think I’ve worked hard at over the years is diplomacy. Sounds a bit odd maybe - but being able to communicate, debate, persuade and convince is as essential to getting good work out there as any software or technical ability. Managing the expectations of those around you, holding the clients hand and orchestrating a group of people to produce a great piece of work requires a lot of leadership, as well as collaborative qualities

you don’t really learn about sitting behind your keyboard. I’ve been very fortunate to have had considerable exposure to photo-shoots, pitches, inter-agency projects and occasionally even demanding clients :) TA: What are you passionate about besides your work? L: I’m passionate about Tash, my awesome wife. I’m into loads of things though… Ice-cream, typography, punk rock, caramel sauce, straight edge, the colour yellow, my family, thick toast, belt buckles, autumn, basketball, wearing shorts, integrity, blankets, Birmingham, photography, pin badges, equality, bouncy balls, my church, peanut butter M&M’s, exploring abandoned places, Barack Obama, postcards, Ronnie O’Sullivan, brutalist concrete architecture, Yorkshire, eye magazine, heartbreak high, high-fives, dunking chocolate hob-nobs, design books, Bruce Springsteen, banana-skid chews, Dandelion & Burdock, summer nights, Falmouth, pasties, ice-cream floats, milkshakes, westerns, being barefoot, 80’s power metal, Bill & Ted, etc TA: Finally do you have any superstitious beliefs or rules that you live by? L: Superstitions? Not really. Beliefs? Definitely. I try to live by some amazing advice from the book of Micah 6:8 (in the bible) – to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly”. My faith unashamedly shapes who I am, and therefore influences how I live. I think a person’s character is far and away their most valuable and important asset. Not how they look or how talented they are. I’m also straight edge and have been since I discovered an alternative music scene in my adolescence that spoke powerfully to me and meshed with my values. There’s this rad tee I have with some hand lettering by Simon Walker. It reads: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle” and it’s a great reminder to me why it’s so important to treat others with grace and respect – how I’d hope to be treated. If you can look back on your time on this crazy planet and feel like you’ve made other peoples lives a bit better – through your work, sure, but mostly through how you treated them and made them feel – then you’ll be a successw in my book.

You can see what Luke’s been up to lately over at: luketonge.com

‘I enjoy everything about editorial design – the discipline, the attention to detail and craft required, the possibility to take someone on a journey, the tactile nature of print and the way people connect with it.’

look

Our ‘Look Inside’ feature is an peak into the creative world. In this issue, we explore creative spaces within the West Midlands.

LIFE agency, based in Birmingham’s beautiful Jewellery Quarter, is an integrated agency founded in 2007. They have worked with global brand owners such as Dr Oetker, Whitbread, and Muller. Their creative choices are born out of intelligence and facts, not speculation and convention. Get the intelligence right so the magic follows. And their philosophy and approach to their work is simple - Question Everything... because there is always a better way. Life opperates as an open plan studio. We think this is a great way to generate creative ideas in an agency environment. See what life have been up to: lifeagency.co.uk

Jane Anderson is a freelance designer and founder of Currentstate Studio. Jane has over 15 years industry experience in brand and visual identity, illustration, design for print and photography. She’s worked with some well known brands to start-up enterprises – producing engaging graphic design work that is driven by solid creative direction. She works from a home studio based in Birmingham. As a freelance designer Jane believes she can create long lasting relationships with her clients as she can give far more attention to each individual project. All of us at this is love Jane’s studio space! See Jane’s work over at: currentstate.co.uk

inside

this is Nina

Nina Baillie is a talented third year photography student. We sat down with her to discuss what makes her tick and where her style stems from. The Agency: Hey Nina, let’s start with hearing a little about your background… Nina: I found my love for photography at about 25. To me it was a tool to express myself with and use to work through difficult experiences. My first profound experience with photography was when I came across Sally Mann’s work, I never knew photography could be so evocative.

TA: Who or what has had a main influence in your work? N: My recent influences are Alex Prager, Gregory Crewdson and mainly cinema. I especially love experimental films. I find my concepts through my life experiences and then mix with the aesthetics of cinema and cinematography techniques. I like to create ‘fictional’ work out of biographical experiences. TA: What is your favourite piece of equipment to use in your photo shoots? N: I get excited by coloured gels but normally I over do this so I have to reign myself in and remember less can be more. I also like to film scenes and to take still shots from the moving image. TA: How would you describe your style in 3 words? N: Cinematic, humanistic and raw. TA: What are the main topics in your work? N: Human relationships.

TA: What are your future plans after you finish university? N: To try to work on film sets / dramas to become an assistant Director of Photography. TA: What made you get into photography? N: Life TA: Black and white or colour? N: Colour TA: Analogue or digital? And how come? N: Aesthetically, analogue. I mainly shoot in digital and manipulate the work through post production to create an analogue look. TA: Any advice for us? N: To find your individual expression. TA: Finally, what are you passionate about besides your work? N: The psyche of humans.

You can see more great work from Nina at: www.ninabaillie.portfoliobox.net

‘I never knew photography could be so evocative.’

Events As the UK summer approaches, so do some of its greatest creative events. We’ve compiled the best to make it a little easier for you. Make note of the Viscom degree show on the 13th June at the Parkside Building!

July

June Design the Gap with Space Jam 1st - 2nd June FREE

This is a 2 day design project. The students are tasked in groups (of 2 or 3) to locate an under or unused space on Level 4 of the Parkside building. This could be any kind of space ranging from a gap above a door to a space beneath a staircase to a window reveal to space above the lockers, the students will have complete creative freedom while challenged to design something that improves that gap.

Here London

10th June £84.99 – £137.49 Here is an annual symposium featuring some of the world’s best creative talent, from the biggest names to the most cutting-edge practitioners. Curated by It’s Nice That, it’s a fun, fastpaced day of insight and inspiration which brings together 600 delegates from across the creative industries.

here-london.com

Free Range*

10th June - 18th July FREE

Lunar Festival

3rd - 5th June Day Ticket: £45 Weekend Ticket: £115

The Lunar Festival returns to the home of Nick Drake, and is based on its sister festival, Moseley Folk, it will offer the additional bonus of camping for every ticket holder. There will be also separate area for anyone looking to get a quiet night sleep.

St. Paul’s School, Balsall Heath

WEDF Talk and Rock Show -Snask 29th June £12 / £10 concs

BCU: Viscom Degree Show*

The final degree show is a showcase for all talented graduates of the School of Visual Communication. Representing the full breadth of subjects, all student work is openly viewable for professionals in the relevant creative industries as well as the general public.

Snask is an internationally renowned Swedish creative agency that makes kickass branding, design and film for a diverse list of clients from Target and H&M to Microsoft and Samsung. All whilst simultaneously running its own label Snask Records.

The Parkside Building

There is no ‘us and them’ any more, it’s just us. All of us. Birmingham is an ‘us’ – one of incredible institutions, organisations, people, projects and ideas happening across the city – but how might we pioneer a better city together.

The D&AD New Blood Festival gathers creatives from university courses scattered around the UK, and brings them into the heart of east London, essentially to show off their skills.

Following an incredible turn out at Glug Birmingham #4, we’re delighted to announce the second part of our ‘Craft & Graft’ series for Thursday 30th June.

glugevents.com

cityofcolours.co.uk

New Designers* 29th June - 2nd July Advance: £12 On the Door: £16

Daydreaming with Stanley Kubrick 30th June £20

#PowerOfUs

It is the UK’s most important event for emerging design and continues to be a highly respected and successful platform for bringing new design talent and commerce together. A variety of options exist for getting involved in the show.

A new exhibition, curated by Mo’Wax and UNKLE founder, artist and DJ James Lavelle, featuring a host of contemporary artists, film makers and musicians showcasing works inspired by Stanley Kubrick.

tedxbrum.com/tickets

newdesigners.com

Somerset House daydreamingwith.com

Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul festival, one of the UK’s most vibrant summer events, will be returning for the seventh consecutive year. Set in the beautiful landscape of Moseley’s private park in Birmingham the festival brings an eclectic weekend of music with a whole host of international and local artists.

dandad.org/en/new-blood

Sheffield Print Fair

In celebration of the Year of Making, we’ll be showcasing the very best artist printmakers in this one-off specialist fair. Browse the many different print techniques on display and watch how the pieces are made in our selection of demonstrations taking place throughout the day.

newdesigners.com

Minervala Market

This July, graduating students from Arts University Bournemouth, Birmingham City University, Edinburgh College of Art and University of the Creative Arts: Rochester will be exhibiting work together at the Bargehouse on London’s Southbank, a venue already firmly associated with graduate design shows in this field.

The Bargehouse, Southbank, London

23rd - 25th September £4

Brighton Art Fair will be running alongside MADE BRIGHTON and will be presenting 50 of the best artists, printmakers, sculptors and photographers showing and selling their work direct to the public.

www.madebrighton.co.uk

October 21st - 24th September FREE First staged in 1995, 100% Design is the commercial cornerstone of the London Design Festival, with 26,211 visitors to the show across 4 days in September; taking place in one of London’s most inspiring venues, Olympia London. Visiting the award-winning show is a unique audience of architects, designers, specifiers, retailers and developers, as well as multinational companies looking to source directly for their latest projects.

The main event! The Bristol Comic and Zine Fair celebrates the world of DIY and independent publishing. The fair brings together comics artists, cartoonists, poets, writers, and publishers for a one-day market. Expect comics, zines, illustrations and prints, handmade books and more, from over 70 artists.

bristolcomicandzinefair.wordpress.com

100percentdesign.co.uk

sheffieldprintfair.blogspot. co.uk

August

7th – 10th July 2016 FREE

londondesignfestival.com

100% Design

Design & Interpretation for Performance*

The London Design Festival is an annual event, held to celebrate and promote London as the design capital of the world and as the gateway to the international creative community.

Made Brighton & Brighton Art Fair

1st October FREE

We’re teaming up with Sheffield Print Fair for a very special seller’s market at the Millennium Gallery.

6th - 9th July Advance: £12 On the Door: £16

17th - 25th September Some events require a fee

Bristol Comic and Zine Fair

9th July £1

New Designers pt2*

London Design Festival

mostlyjazz.co.uk

It’s the chance for industry to meet new talent, young creatives to network and skill up, and for everyone to be inspired by the future of commercial creativity.

30th June £11.74

City of Colours Street Art Festival is one of the UK’s largest celebrations of graffiti, street art and urban culture, and we are returning to the streets of Digbeth.

11th June £37.50

5-7 July FREE

wedesignforum.co.uk

18th June FREE

TEDx Brum

D&AD Newblood*

Glug Birmingham pt2

City of Colours

5th June FREE

Typewriter, glue, paper and other bits provided

8th July - 10th July £19

WEDF welcome Snask to Bristol for an evening event which fearlessly combines design and rock n roll – WEDF’s first ever design gig.

free-range.org.uk

Making Zines with Birmingham Craftivists

Please bring along old magazines, books, pictures, photos Do you have a favourite saying, quote, song lyric or poem that you could contribute to the pages?

The Parkside Building

The Free Range Shows are the UK’s leading destination for graduate creative talent, returning to the Old Truman Brewery in 2016. The exhibition showcases the breadth of work being produced by the UK’s top young creatives – both to the public and to the creative industries.

lunarfestival.co.uk

Join us for some underground anarchic zine creation with Birmingham Craftivists There will be cutting....pasting....sticking... repositioning...thinking....changing...and.... altering of images

11th June FREE

13th June FREE

designthegap.eventbrite.com

Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul Festival

Inspired Festival*

Inspired shines a spotlight on the work of artists, actors, designers, engineers, writers and musicians who are graduating from the University and launching their careers. Join us in celebrating the wealth of creative talent being nurtured and developed in the region.

September

6th, 13th, 20th and 27th of August FREE The Minervala Market is a nomadic trading post where artists and makers can trade materials and tools that are cluttering up studio spaces. It is set up during a time when finances are low and spaces to create work may becoming rarer. A follow on from ‘CARAVAN’ ’MINERVALA MARKET’ is an unashamedly self-centred yet imaginative look at how artists will survive as a community come the apocalypse by Jonny Graney and Dale Hipkiss.

Twitter @MinervalaMarket

Offset Sheffield

21st - 22nd October £40

Design Junction

22nd - 25th September £40 designjunction is a leading exhibition for contemporary interior design and culture, held annually in London and New York. The flagship show takes place in London as part of the London Design Festival each September – where more than 200 contemporary brands present their new collections to an international audience of architects, interior designers, retailers and media.

thedesignjunction.co.uk

OFFSET will be part of the Sheffield Catalyst Festival of Creativity (running until November) as well as a key element in Sheffield’s Design Week (22nd – 30th October 2016). Both have an exciting and varied programme, including exhibitions, workshops, talks, design conferences, installations, product launches, open studios and walking trails joining together venues across Sheffield.

iloveoffset.com

*BCU related events

BA Visual Communication Degree Show Birmingham City University Duration: Saturday 11th June Saturday18th June 2016 Saturday - 9am-4pm Sunday - Closed Monday - 10am - 6pm Tuesday - 10am - 6pm Wednesay - Closed for Public Thursday - 10am - 6pm Friday - 10am - 6pm Saturday - 9am - 4pm

The Parkside Building 5 Cardigan Street, Birmingham, B4 7BD, United Kingdom

Private View: Wednesday 15 June 2016 6-8 pm (invite only)

Our visual communication show, featuring degree students in; Graphic Communication, Illustration, Film & Animation, Photography and Theatre, Performance & Event Design, reflects our studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; work. It also features work created with our cutting-edge motion capture equipment for 3D animation and film, and a MILO unit. Their work represents the frontier of visual communication and is already being recognised by industry, with many students winning design awards.

#bcuinspired