PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS > WEEK 8

This week in photography class we went up to the roof of the 13 floor college to take pictures of the view. We were lucky it was such a gorgeous day and I think you can tell this is a rare occurance in Glasgow due to the slightly obsessive way I try to get as much of the blue sky in the frame as possible. The brief we were given before we started shooting was to take some pictures that could be stitched together to produce a panoramic image and a "squinty" picture that we could use in a photoshop experiment.

I always think that if we had more days of sunshine this city would have it all and looking at these images confirmed this for me. They instantly remind me of the grid structure of the roads and street's in New York and Barcelona. I took some shots looking straight at the sun and although I've never been something about the resulting image makes me think of San Fransisco.
What do you think?

HELLO ADVENTURES

I am so excited! My 2013 goals I made to travel more and to take photography classes have become a reality.In the last couple of weeks I have been given the opportunity to book trips to Barcelona and Sweden and I now have confirmation of a place on a photography course that starts in March!

I feel like this year is going to be one big adventure and even though I have visited Barcelona 5 times in 7 years, every time has been different but the people, food and landmarks are ALWAYS amazing and I honestly can't wait for this trip.

Sweden is somewhere that I have always wanted to visit, I love scandanavian designs and I don't know if that's why but its always held a sort of mysterious air about it for me and even though the highest temperature will be 4degrees I am sooo looking forward to it.

As the photography class is an introductory class for beginners I fully expect to be learning about exposure, lens and focal points (I honestly have no idea what I'm talking about) but as long as I learn how to take pictures of cityscapes and traffic with the long swirly light tracks I'll be happy. 
I've also noticed I have an slight obsession with sunrises and would love some clear recordings of them that I could actually frame instead of the out of focus variations I have on my HTC phone.

GOALS FOR 2013

So how many of you made New Year resolutions?
Personally I'm more of a fan of reflecting on all the good things that happened and making goals that will hopefully make the future year even better. Apparently if you write them down you stand a better chance of them becoming a reality. So here goes!

1. Take photography classes.I feel like you should constantly be learning but sometimes life takes over and you need to allocate a specific day to let you concentrate on a project. I have always wanted to learn how to take good quality images, especially as images are so important in my work as a graphic designer and I love how you can capture a moment or memory forever.
I have signed up for a 10 week evening class that starts in March can't wait to get started.

2. Create a T-Shirt design.

I absolutely love a cool T-Shirt design.
There's nothing better than pulling on a fresh T-Shirt for that perfect night or day "look" and I am planning to design a beautiful, simple, one colour design as I feel "less is more" which will be able to be worn with either sequin shorts or skinny jeans.

3. Create a Tote Bag design.

I never have less than two bags with me at all times. I try and fit as much as I can in each day so you can easily find me going to work, then the gym or meeting friends for drinks. Any girl that's worth her salt has her token handbag to hold the essentials but I find I always need an additional shopper style bag, whether its for my lunch, workout gear or a change of clothes.
I want this bag to look as good as the rest of my outfit so I decided to create a design that will be printed onto a black tote bag in metallic ink. I just need to work on the design now!

4. Travel More.

Goal no. 4 is to travel more this year but 5 (Rome) and 7 (Berlin) are two specific places that I am aiming to go to. Image 4 is of the Sagrada Familia in Barcalona, a beautiful building inside and out. I try to visit as many places as I can so I tend not to visit anywhere more than twice but Barcelona is the one place where I felt at home instantly. I have been five times in the last six years and every time I go I love it a little bit more and have still got tons of things to do and see.
I honestly feel that travel and places are good for your soul.

6. Run a Half Marathon.

I generally like to keep fit but I do get bored heading to the gym 3 times a week. I've always liked running and joined a local running club at the end of 2012 this helped motivate me to give 100% at the gym and also look into mixing up my fitness regime with Yoga and resistance training with weights. For me exercise helps me feel relaxed and creative - for some reason all my best ideas come to me at the gym. I also became aware that to stay motivated I need a goal to work to so I have decide to keep my fitness levels up I will work towards a half marathon in Sept 2013 (a full marathon just feels too scary at this point!) and use 10km races along the way to help with my training.

Good Luck with your own goals and I'll let you know how I get on. Fingers crossed!

10 THINGS I LOVE

As you've probably guessed by now I love all things to do with design but here are some other things that I honestly could not live without!


#1 Barcelona.
I love traveling to different cities but Barcelona is the first place that I have been to where I have instantly thought "I could live here!".

 

#2 Cheescake.
I love desserts but Cheescake is my absolute fave. It does'nt have to be fancy, have fruit or decorations on it. Just a simple Baked New York Vanilla Cheesecake is my idea of heaven.

 

#3 Films.
I am a total film geek. No matter if it is of the cartoon, foreign, biographical or fanstay genre I will watch it. One film that I actually flagged up as my fave in a job interview when I was asked tell me something that is not on your CV is "This is England" by the director Shane Meadows. This is  epic as a stand alone film but he then spoiled us and went on to create the drama Series "This is England '84" and "This is England '86". 

#4 High Heels.
I am only 5", I would love to be taller but for now I wear high heels everywhere.
I don' know what I do without them.

  

#5 Reading.
As much as I am a DeesignGeek I am probably a BookGeek in equal measures! There's nothing better than reading a book that transports you to a different world and you can block out the outside world.

 

  

#6 Graffiti.

I suppose this is still design related but art and design is such a big part of my life that I couldn't leave it out. I think I love Graffiti as it is usually found on dark, bland and grey surfaces in industrial estates or on subway trains and injects a splash of colour and generally brightens up the place.

  

#7 Keeping Fit.

I honestly believe that a healthy body makes a healthy mind.
Don't get me wrong I'm not a gym fanatic getting a session in before work, no no no but I do try to go at least 3 times a week (which usually ends up being twice).
Its just makes me feel better and happier and it even helps with ideas when I have a creative block. Hey and if I lose a few pounds all the better!

 

  

#8 Socialising.

Theres nothing better than having a catch up with your friends with a refreshing Mojito.
There is a great little Mojito bar in Barcelona (my #1 love) and yes this reminds me of holidays so I am really combing 3 loves in 1 here. Is that allowed? Ok I won't tell if you won't.

 

  

#9 Laughing.

Who doesn't like a good belly laugh. It makes everything instantly alright. I am lucky enough to have some good friends that have the same sense of humour as me and they are worth their weight in gold. Sometimes we take life and ourselves too seriously, but a good giggle can definatey make you feel like you can take on the world.
P.S I aspire to be as happy as the little girl in the photo, who looks like she is having the best time ever!

 

#10 Family.

And last but definately not least, The Wilson's. Yup my family
(no not in the picture I am talking figuratively!) We are all different in our own way and I am very independant but I know that if I ever need them that they would be there for me and that's a pretty good feeling.