Spanish bird!?

FdA Course Leader, Derek Yates, recently visited Prague to externally examine the BA in Graphic Design at Prague College. In a fantastic 2 days, Derek met students, visited their end of year show in a gallery off of Wenceslas Square and enjoyed the Moravian delicacy of ‘Spanish Bird’ (pictured).  

Final Presentations to Roberto D’Andria

On the 16^th May, year one FdA students created a studio exhibition to show off their outcomes from a project set by Creative Director and founder of Bear, Roberto D’Andria. Roberto opened the show by giving students feedback on their work and then shared a beer with the students to lubricate further conversations about their work. A big thank you from everyone on the FdA to Roberto and Bear for being so generous with their time. 

A working studio

In the weeks before our final hand in the FdA studio became second home to a number of students creating large scale project outcomes or just enjoying working alongside their fellow students. We are very lucky that Camberwell still provides permanent spaces for students to work in. On the FdA we have created two purpose-built simulated design studios and we are very happy that students are utilizing these spaces – long may this continue.

Pixel perfect motion graphics.

As part of the FdA Work-Based Learning lecture series – motion graphics director, Kate Dawkins, visited our studios to talk about her role as Lead Art Director at Crystal CGInternational. Kate designed and directed all of the digital content for the audience pixels for both the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The brainchild of Danny Boyle, the audience pixels consisted of 70,500 separate paddles, each containing 9 high powered led lights, fixed to the stadium seats. The giant audience screen allowed the narrative to expand out from the field of play into the audience making them feel part of the show.

Working closely with the ceremonies creative teams and overseeing two separate groups of animators, 2D and 3D, visual FX specialists, pre-visualisers, programmers and all-round talented people. Kate designed, directed and helped deliver well over 100 individual pieces of content for both ceremonies; as well as creating content for the projection screens for Freddie Mercury and the Spice Girls 'Taxis' for the closing ceremony. She recently collected a Creative ReviewAward for the project on behalf of Crystal CG. 

Her talk was a fascinating insight into a world that often seems impenetrable to students. After her talk she stayed in the studio for over an hour answering questions from students eager to learn more about motion graphics design.

Presenting in the pod at Bear

On the 25^th & 26^th April students from year 1 FdA Graphic Design visited the studios of creative branding agency, Bear to present initial ideas for a project set by Creative Director, Roberto D’Andria.  The project involves students designing a proposal for a removal company to rival Rocket Van. Roberto has over 20 years experience working in branding and advertising and he provided invaluable insight into how designers might bring an “entire business to life both strategically and creatively”.