The perks of being a wallflower

So if the narrative wasn’t good enough I just love the design of this book. It was a suggestion from an American friend who claimed it was a ‘coming of age classic’. The book was published by MTV which I thought was very unusual but I guess using big names associated with a younger audience would entice more to read it. I found a second hand copy in Harvard Book Store, Boston. There was an old bookmark inside which had the Florida zip code in… I love the idea that the book has been read and enjoyed by someone, somewhere else in the world; I am less obliged to give up the book and send it on its travels once more.

The book is a epistolary novel; narrated by a teenager who goes by the alias of "Charlie"; he describes various scenes in his life by writing a series of letters to an anonymous person, whom he does not know personally.

The lime green cover (my go to colour!) has a small-cropped sepia photograph in the top right hand corner of a boys legs donned in smart trousers and shoes. The image is so old and intriguing in comparison to the contemporary colour and minimal typeface on the cover.

I feel the cover reflects the anonymous, captivating storyline the book has to offer

Black Swan

How could I not watch this film when all I’ve heard are fantastic reviews.

This beautifully, eerie film was art directed perfectly. Shades of innocent pink and white connotating ageless, feminine ballet along with strong black tones emphasizing the dark side Natalie Portman has to find within herself; and she definitely does that. The pure, flawless dancer Nina Sayers gets the role as Queen Swan; displaying control and skill means the White Swan isn’t an issue but she struggles to find the dark, seductive passion within to evoke the character of the Black Swan.

Some crazy, squeamish things happen throughout; drugs, smashed glass, nail files to name a few. My favourite bits were where Nina is subtly turning into a swan what with her toes sticking together like a webbed foot, little black feathers coming out of a graze like an un plucked chicken, and her neck growing tall as she is being strangled by her alter ego. All of these effects are far fetched, and I have to admit got a bit of a laugh by some members of the audience, which I don’t think was intended, but this almost ‘Alice in Wonderland’ visual to the film did it for me.

French Connection - Bucket Stylist

The latest French Connection Campaigns are full of bizzare humour surrounding the theme of 'The Man' and 'The Woman'. The adverts were originally created last year by design agency Fallon, and are proving just as successful this spring. It's a nice twist to fashion advertising which can often be so polished. My favourite advert is 'The Man' giving himself an old school bowl cut, only with a bucket to retain the length of his luscious locks! Click here to view the advert in question.

The John Hour for Selfridges

Tired, achey and hungry after a long day in London Town this window display gave me a sense of life again! Aiming to challenge the rules of modern society, The John Hour has created four installations featuring paralleled objects, which represent a clash of lowbrow and highbrow culture. The cinema has been replaced by DVD's. Dinner parties have been replaced by the convenience of takeaways, the orchestra by the ipod. The overall concept is executed amazingly, my favourite display being the hundreds of old tennis rackets challenging a Nintendo Wii. 

YCN

Zoe Barratt from YCN came into speak to us about the Student Awards they have held for the past ten years. Major brands such as Ted Baker, Boost and Warp Records set briefs each year giving design students the opportunity to create something fresh and eye catching.

YCN really do seem to be all about the students. The award ceremony is super extravagant, the competition winners get to see their ideas through to production and get paid to do so.

I recall the 2009/2010 YCN annual being very boring and unattractive; a quick flick through and I threw it on my bookshelf. This years annual is much more appealing, a publication you want to keep. It’ the first year the inhouse designers at YCN created an annual and it’s certainly proved a success! It’s much more student friendly and has various quotes and advice from top graphic designers.

The studio is based in East London and the studio has a little shop and a library where you can borrow design books. Too cute. May pop by next time I’m in the smog!

Propaganda design agency based in Leeds spoke after YCN about the branding they do for the energy drink Boost. I personally didn't like the work they did. I find it hard to judge campaigns aimed at a young/student consumer groups because I feel it's all a bit stereotypical looking. 

And the dish ran away with the spoon

Cupcakes available from Topshop. The pop up stall is up for two days selling beautiful little cupcakes all in the spirit of Valentines day! I love the logo for the company who are based in Didsbury. The website is nearly as nice as the cupcakes, click here to go to the site!

The all new 2012 Passat - Volkswagen

Saw this last night for the first time, so good. The Star Wars reference combined with a cute small child, in a happy family home is bound to mean success. Screened during Superbowl games must count for something too! Click here to view.

Handbag Heroine

This pensioner should definitely join the police force. Now known as the handbag heroine, this little old lady scared off six robbers armed with sledgehammers by swinging for them with her handbag. Amazing! To see the footage click here!

Down with the Supermarket

Former Design & Art Direction Students, now known as Teacake design, turned the old supermarket carrier bag into something with more meaning. Tesco is the fourth largest retailer in the world, you can't get away from the brand; on retail parks, town centres and city streets. Taking business from small independent retailers, it's no wonder people hate the supermarket. I love the screen-print quality adding that retro feel to the dated design. 

Don't have a cow...

It took me a while to see German designer, Uwe Loesch's radioactive cow. Pretty cool once I had though.

Glamping!

Would definitely be up for a weekend of camping if the experience was like this. No sleeping bags or porta-loos insight! Another cool option is a Shepherds Hut in Cumbria...!