FLUX WEBZINE ISSUE 6, 28 SEPTEMBER 2012
Editors Ben Smith Michelle Stark Jeremy Swanborough
Production Coordinator Ben Smith
Magazine Design Ben Smith
Submissions We encourage Brisbane-based readers to submit suitable artwork for consideration by Flux Collective. If you wish to submit artwork, please contact Flux Collective at mail@fluxcollective.com
Creative Director Michelle Stark
Digital Manager Jeremy Swanborough
Contributors Ben Smith Michelle Stark Jeremy Swanborough Yarron Frauenfelder Martin Schluter
Special Thanks To Yarron Frauenfelder Design & Thinking (Film) Incstamp
Cover Design Ben Smith
Typefaces PT Sans Pro Regular Catorze 27 Style 1 Book
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GUEST DESIGNER
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DIGITAL ART
POSTER
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DESIGNER PROFILE
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ILLUSTRATION
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EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL
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Hi Readers, Last week I decided to go along to the State Library to see the film Design and Thinking – a documentary that explores the term Design Thinking and how it can be applied to business and social issues. Design Thinking is a phrase that has been evolving over the past decade, and can be described as a style of thinking that works effectively in finding solutions to ambiguous or illdefined problems. It refers to the ‘thinking-in-action’ behind design – the process of looking at a problem from as many different perspectives as possible and experimenting with different solutions as part of that process. Design thinking is collaborative, inventive, experimental, personal and integrative. As graphic designers and visual communicators we can obviously use the notion of design thinking to open our minds to various possibilities when solving visual problems, but we can also use it to extend our problem-
solving potential to improve our circumstances as humans. If we can develop an attitude of design thinking, then we can use it to great effect in a number of different ways that will hopefully have some sort of a positive impact on our world. This might be starting to sound a bit pretentious, but I firmly believe that if we are lucky enough to be able to do something we love for a living, then we should use our position of privilege to try and contribute to our world in a positive way. Design thinking could be one method via which we can begin to create practical positive change. For those of you new to this way of thinking, please consider. For those of you already using design to create positive change, we thank you.
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DESIGNER PROFILE
yarron frauenfelder Yarron Frauenfelder is the graphic designer and art director of his own design studio; This is Neu | www.thisisneu.com. Yarron was born on the Sunshine Coast and began working for himself in 2008. Since then he has built up a wide-range of clients, including nightclubs, record labels, the mining industry, city council projects, professional organisations and boutique small business. Yarron completed studies at both QUT and Shillington Design College – where he has since guest lectured. Yarron is currently working and travelling through Europe, however he recently took part in the Terrible Twos Brisbane event and will be part of ‘SHOOT, an art tribute to all things Photography’ at the Antonia Kelly gallery, Kangaroo Point on 5th October 2012. As a child, Yarron was fascinated with posters, comics, animation and video games – which led him to his career in Graphic Design.
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What was your first design job? My first design job was working for a beverage company in-house, creating point-of-sale advertising and marketing documents. It was a fairly typical affair, but it did help me build industry experience straight out of university. After a brief stint I returned to study, where I gained more practical experience and a professional looking folio to start showing clients. What is your career highlight so far?
Deciding to work for myself was a big step that I have enjoyed immensely. It’s not always the easiest career path, but it does give you more freedom over the work, clients and hours you keep. It’s more than being a designer, it includes marketing, finance, workflows and organising, but when it comes down to the work it’s nice to look back and see what you have achieved.
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DESIGNER PROFILE
Who or what inspires you? My inspiration comes from art, nature, music, blogs and film. More recently, travelling to Berlin has stimulated the creative mind. During ‘Berlin Art Week’ I managed to attend museum and art exhibitions frequently. Even walking down the art filled streets can fill the camera roll in moments. What is your dream job? I am fortunate enough to feel like I may have already obtained that one. I have plans to advance the business, build new partnerships with clients and keep evolving my design work; but keeping creative and building a business seems like the perfect dream job. Do you have any advice for juniors? Experiment and play with different styles and approaches to your work. Keeping a collection of personal projects will show initiative and passion for design, it will freshen your mind and allow you to explore concepts/ideas that you may not get to work on with client work. Also, producing good work for clients is the best way to get them talking positively to other potential employees. You never know who is looking at your next piece of work - so make sure it hits the mark. Realise what path you should be on.
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a selection of yarron’s designs
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DESIGNER PROFILE
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we asked yarron... SCREEN or PRINT PEN or MOUSE (& Tablet) TEA or COFFEE SUMMER or WINTER EARLY BIRD or NIGHT OWL SERIF or SANS-SERIF THE MEDIUM or THE MESSAGE GRID or NO GRID NEVILLE BRODY or MILTON GLASER UNI or INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE WORK TO LIVE or LIVE TO WORK
(blurred)
TUMBLR or PINTEREST thisisneu.tumblr.com
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POSTER
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This piece of work was created in response to the current Incstamp “Designate” Exhibition design brief, which proposed that designers can influence public attitudes towards social, political and environmental issues through their work. When choosing my response to this brief, I considered a number of issues that I felt I could comment on via design. One of the significant themes that emerged was that, just as design trends come and go, public awareness of various social causes can also fluctuate. Considering this, it was important for me to choose a cause that was somewhat enduring – one with a simple message that could last far beyond the latest wave of popularity. After stripping back the myriad of details relating to the protection of our natural environment, the result was a simple message: Respect. The poster utilizes my everfavored design element of typography (surprised?). A classic and customized Bodoni-inspired typeface, composed in classic grid formation, communicates a classic message. Such a simplistic design allows the photographic image that fills the negative space to show through – presenting the beauty of the natural environment.
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ILLUSTRATION
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I am a big fan of zombies and the whole undead scenario. Almost every week one of my friends or some random person I have just met will say to me, “it would be so cool if there were zombies, I’d run around killing them all day =3.” I don’t psychologically agree with these desires, I don’t think I could severely maim someone just because they are undead, they are still people with dreams and family you know? Though my fascination and defence of the undeads’ humanity probably has a lot to do with the fact that my parents run a funeral home, I still enjoy a good zombie film or game. The case is so here, I have been a faithful player of DotA (Defence of the Ancients) for many years now. So you can imagine my excitement when DotA 2 was released this year, and this piece is a combination of those two loves. I give you the undead butcher, Pudge from DotA 2.
- J*
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DIGITAL ART
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This piece was created for the express purpose of designing something visually appealing. The design originally began based on the concept of a kaleidoscope, but the piece quickly extended beyond that. The design was cropped, reconfigured and altered until it was no longer a clear kaleidoscope but was visually appealing. Combining black and white elements with the coloured image elements was a last minute decision, in order to add more appeal. I was extremely satisfied with how the design turned out, especially the balance between the various elements, as well as the focal points present in the piece. Those who can find enjoyment in designs that exist purely for visual appreciation, this piece is for you.
- B.
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GUEST DESIGNER
martin schluter Martin is a recent design graduate from the Queensland College of Art, graduating with a Bachelor of Deign with a major in Communication Design. With a passion for branding and typography, Martin enjoys using his skills as a designer to create unique and sometimes quirky resolutions for clients. He enjoys travelling, recently returning from Europe where he shamelessly cried seeing his first Paul CĂŠzanne painting up close and personal. A fine artist at heart and go-getter in spirit, he loves creating objects that people can enjoy and share. His dislikes include Helvetica, horrible kerning and writing biographies. He finds it awkward.
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GUEST DESIGNER
madebybreathe.com
shiven@madebybreathe.com 0423 456 789
DEERHOUSE PICTURES .COM
JOHN SMITH Director
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we asked martin... SCREEN or PRINT PEN or MOUSE TEA or COFFEE EARLY BIRD or NIGHT OWL SERIF or SANS-SERIF TUMBLR or PINTEREST
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IncStamp will be presenting its fifth exhibition ‘Designate’ on Friday 28th of September. Twentytwo emerging artists from Brisbane have contributed to the show; each one responding to an issue or topic that they’re passionate about from asylum seekers to endangered animals. Entry is free, doors open at 6pm. Come along and support local artists over a drink and some great conversation starters! Below is a sneak peek at some of the amazing work included in the exhibition.
WIN A FEATURE IN FLUX WEBZINE 1ST PRIZE A 4-page Guest Designer Feature in Flux Webzine and your design used on the cover of Flux Webzine! 2ND & 3RD PRIZE A 4-page Guest Designer Feature in Flux Webzine! ENTER NOW www.fluxcollective.com/contest competition closes 31 September 2012 terms and conditions apply follow us...
next issue... 12 OCTOBER 2012
designer profile of another successful brisbane designer :::: ‘configurate’ typeface :::: new illustration :::: new digital art :::: & another guest designer