It's Friday, I'm in love

Friday afternoon in the studio and it's hard to focus... A problem that Al and I seem to have on a regular basis. This used to be called an "orchid moment" but there is no orchid in the studio anymore. Instead we've got fish, Facebook and FreeAgent (our online book-keeping programme which we would recommend) to occupy us.

So what are we up to? Well, just made a draft film from clips we recorded with taxi drivers in Banchory. (Did any of you look at the video link throughout the Blog Title of last entry? Well worth doing if not - how many celebs can you spot?) Also working on 3D visualisations for our presentation to Banchory Town Improvement Group and tightening the whole proposal up.

Quoting for another really exciting project in Glasgow involving water-jet cutting a LOT of Cor-ten steel. At different stages at logos/branding solutions for - amongst others - a local rugby club, an egg farm, a mill, a smokehouse and a gallery. 

Still doesn't get away from the fact its Friday though...

I've taken a pic of my studio desk. Just because I can. Here it is... - FIN

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The Cure - Friday I'm In Love

Wish (1992)

Friday afternoon in the studio and it's hard to focus... A problem that Al and I seem to have on a regular basis. This used to be called an "orchid moment" but there is no orchid in the studio anymore. Instead we've got fish, Facebook and FreeAgent (our online book-keeping programme which we would recommend) to occupy us.

So what are we up to? Well, just made a draft film from clips we recorded with taxi drivers in Banchory. (Did any of you look at the video link throughout the Blog Title of last entry? Well worth doing if not - how many celebs can you spot?) Also working on 3D visualisations for our presentation to Banchory Town Improvement Group and tightening the whole proposal up.

Quoting for another really exciting project in Glasgow involving water-jet cutting a LOT of Cor-ten steel. At different stages at logos/branding solutions for - amongst others - a local rugby club, an egg farm, a mill, a smokehouse and a gallery. 

Still doesn't get away from the fact its Friday though...

I've taken a pic of my studio desk. Just because I can. Here it is... - FIN

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The Cure - Friday I'm In Love

Wish (1992)

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Yes, here we go again, give you more, nothing lesser

The best part of the last six weeks has been spent in the studio sifting through the mountain of material we gathered in the engagement period in Banchory. We have started our creative process with a focus on Scott Skinner Square as the centre point for Banchory. 

The concept behind our designs for the square are based on the work of Scot Skinner - a surprising and colourful character - certainly not lacking in self belief, adopting the pseudonym "King". He was great at self promotion (if he was around today he would have a better grip on Facebook and Twitter than I do!). He was a bit more rock n' roll than heel n' toe!

We have presented our ideas to the Council and are now gearing up for presenting to the Banchory Town Centre Group next week. We obviously don't want to give too much away at this point, but below are a few of our development sketches. 

Enjoy! - Al

P.S. Incidentally, I think the music video for our blog title this time around has the best line up to date.

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Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
Make Some Noise (2011)

The best part of the last six weeks has been spent in the studio sifting through the mountain of material we gathered in the engagement period in Banchory. We have started our creative process with a focus on Scott Skinner Square as the centre point for Banchory. 

The concept behind our designs for the square are based on the work of Scot Skinner - a surprising and colourful character - certainly not lacking in self belief, adopting the pseudonym "King". He was great at self promotion (if he was around today he would have a better grip on Facebook and Twitter than I do!). He was a bit more rock n' roll than heel n' toe!

We have presented our ideas to the Council and are now gearing up for presenting to the Banchory Town Centre Group next week. We obviously don't want to give too much away at this point, but below are a few of our development sketches. 

Enjoy! - Al

P.S. Incidentally, I think the music video for our blog title this time around has the best line up to date.

BLOG TITLE
Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
Make Some Noise (2011)

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Our bones forever in stone, Monuments of life

After all this great weather we have been having (mostly...) it has turned pretty grim here. Not stopped raining all day and really getting pretty cold. Even weather warnings of high winds. Back to normal then. Looks like Nicolette and the team picked exactly the right time to visit Scotland and do all the pre-production filming at Aldourie Castle last week!

Ourselves? We are thankfully indoors for a while but it's not quite so much fun costing jobs and putting those kind of details together. The good news is that we are doing it for our jobs in Banchory and in Derby which are taking shape nicely.

Derby is all ready to go - just a few small details to work on regarding risk-assessments and timescales but we are happy with the way its sitting now. We have also come up with names for the pieces which has taken a long time (maybe three years or so!). Will keep it quiet for now until the commissioner gives it the go-ahead.

Banchory is also ticking along nicely. We had a meeting with Nicola from Woodend Barn this week to outline some of our initial ideas and she was happy with the direction we were taking. Lots more to do on the overall plan and concept but for the moment we are learning about new materials and techniques. Its like being back at Uni - with the exception of actually doing something.

Rather than finish on a note like that. Someone whose work displays techniques and skills that we would love to master was Michael Grab from Gravity Glue. He is due to be in the final movie as well and what he does by combining rocks with patience is incredible. Definitely worth looking at his website. - FIN

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Foo Fighters - Statues

Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007)

After all this great weather we have been having (mostly...) it has turned pretty grim here. Not stopped raining all day and really getting pretty cold. Even weather warnings of high winds. Back to normal then. Looks like Nicolette and the team picked exactly the right time to visit Scotland and do all the pre-production filming at Aldourie Castle last week!

Ourselves? We are thankfully indoors for a while but it's not quite so much fun costing jobs and putting those kind of details together. The good news is that we are doing it for our jobs in Banchory and in Derby which are taking shape nicely.

Derby is all ready to go - just a few small details to work on regarding risk-assessments and timescales but we are happy with the way its sitting now. We have also come up with names for the pieces which has taken a long time (maybe three years or so!). Will keep it quiet for now until the commissioner gives it the go-ahead.

Banchory is also ticking along nicely. We had a meeting with Nicola from Woodend Barn this week to outline some of our initial ideas and she was happy with the direction we were taking. Lots more to do on the overall plan and concept but for the moment we are learning about new materials and techniques. Its like being back at Uni - with the exception of actually doing something.

Rather than finish on a note like that. Someone whose work displays techniques and skills that we would love to master was Michael Grab from Gravity Glue. He is due to be in the final movie as well and what he does by combining rocks with patience is incredible. Definitely worth looking at his website. - FIN

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Foo Fighters - Statues

Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007)

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Where the blacktop cracks weeds spark through

Have had a busy old week - Al back from India so had to find his feet again pretty quickly. He had a great trip although with it being charity work they had him working pretty hard! He did manage an elephant ride though...all good!

Al has spent his week working hard on the new panels for Timespan Museum (only 21 of them!) so that has taken up most of his time but they should be finished by the end of next week.

I've been working on putting together part of a brief for an application we hope to be making for next year. A lot of potential little things just bubbling away in the background so if some of them come off we'll be pretty happy.

I also had a wee trip to Edinburgh and Shotts taking establishing shots for a nice little project with Kew Garden and Greenspace Scotland so it was a lot of travelling but also good to meet some interesting people with a real passion for their environments. Will have a few more shoots over the next month or so as the projects develop...

Images are my own edits of shots from the shoot - don't know if the clients will want them this way!  - FIN

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Wilco - Side With The Seeds

Sky Blue Sky (2007)

Have had a busy old week - Al back from India so had to find his feet again pretty quickly. He had a great trip although with it being charity work they had him working pretty hard! He did manage an elephant ride though...all good!

Al has spent his week working hard on the new panels for Timespan Museum (only 21 of them!) so that has taken up most of his time but they should be finished by the end of next week.

I've been working on putting together part of a brief for an application we hope to be making for next year. A lot of potential little things just bubbling away in the background so if some of them come off we'll be pretty happy.

I also had a wee trip to Edinburgh and Shotts taking establishing shots for a nice little project with Kew Garden and Greenspace Scotland so it was a lot of travelling but also good to meet some interesting people with a real passion for their environments. Will have a few more shoots over the next month or so as the projects develop...

Images are my own edits of shots from the shoot - don't know if the clients will want them this way!  - FIN

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Wilco - Side With The Seeds

Sky Blue Sky (2007)

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I was young, but its done

A few months ago we had a pic up here of one of our toys with a mod - see here. Time moves on for us all. Even for Boo (his new name) and you can see the change in him...

Not like the rest of us - he gains hair as we lose it. Gotta respect the beard though. - FIN

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William Fitzimmons - Don't Feel It Anymore

The Sparrow and the Crow (2008)

A few months ago we had a pic up here of one of our toys with a mod - see here. Time moves on for us all. Even for Boo (his new name) and you can see the change in him...

Not like the rest of us - he gains hair as we lose it. Gotta respect the beard though. - FIN

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William Fitzimmons - Don't Feel It Anymore

The Sparrow and the Crow (2008)

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Do not be discouraged, for I have news for you

There is nothing quite like opening boxes of new printed matter to brighten up a Friday afternoon! We have recently created a new logo and stationery set for Hilton Church of Scotland in Inverness. Their printing arrived today, here is a little taster for you! -AL

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Johnny Cash - It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)

Ultimate Gospel (2007)

There is nothing quite like opening boxes of new printed matter to brighten up a Friday afternoon! We have recently created a new logo and stationery set for Hilton Church of Scotland in Inverness. Their printing arrived today, here is a little taster for you! -AL

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Johnny Cash - It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)

Ultimate Gospel (2007)

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...I dreamt you dreamt that I was a bird.

Just to prove that things are never the same for us...last week was spent in the Highland Print Studio working on screen printing. A couple of which were for the joint Christmas show at IG:LU (more about them another day...) and the others being a double edition of 100 prints for top Scottish artiste Rachel Sermanni.

It was a lot of fun being able to shut out the office and focus on something hands-on. We also had some practical issues regarding printing pearlescent colours on the papers we were using. We really had to pick the brains of the studio gurus John McNaught and Brian MacBeath to find the solutions.

We can't believe it has been about 18 months since we have been in there working. We ARE going to change that next year...promise. - FIN

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Rachel Sermanni - Black Current

Under Mountains (2012)

Just to prove that things are never the same for us...last week was spent in the Highland Print Studio working on screen printing. A couple of which were for the joint Christmas show at IG:LU (more about them another day...) and the others being a double edition of 100 prints for top Scottish artiste Rachel Sermanni.

It was a lot of fun being able to shut out the office and focus on something hands-on. We also had some practical issues regarding printing pearlescent colours on the papers we were using. We really had to pick the brains of the studio gurus John McNaught and Brian MacBeath to find the solutions.

We can't believe it has been about 18 months since we have been in there working. We ARE going to change that next year...promise. - FIN

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Rachel Sermanni - Black Current

Under Mountains (2012)

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I'm not too hot on Dukes or Earls or Graces

The last two weeks have held some ups and downs, unexpected turn of events and pleasant surprises. One of the ups was the delivery of a book we recently designed and produced for Museum Without Walls, a new venture from Timespan. The book contains a blend of poetry and photography of Kildonan and was designed to accompany a new trail and smartphone app (we will post images of the signage we designed shortly). In the words of the blurb:

"A thought-provoking collection of atmospheric contemporary photographs accompanied by emotive poetic words that truly captures the spirit of the Strath of Kildonan over the last 200 years."

The book is printed on a beautiful uncoated paper stock, which feels great, and is available for purchase from Timespan.

Here are a few sample images. - AL

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Runrig - Tear Down These Walls
Searchlight (1989)

The last two weeks have held some ups and downs, unexpected turn of events and pleasant surprises. One of the ups was the delivery of a book we recently designed and produced for Museum Without Walls, a new venture from Timespan. The book contains a blend of poetry and photography of Kildonan and was designed to accompany a new trail and smartphone app (we will post images of the signage we designed shortly). In the words of the blurb:

"A thought-provoking collection of atmospheric contemporary photographs accompanied by emotive poetic words that truly captures the spirit of the Strath of Kildonan over the last 200 years."

The book is printed on a beautiful uncoated paper stock, which feels great, and is available for purchase from Timespan.

Here are a few sample images. - AL

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Runrig - Tear Down These Walls
Searchlight (1989)

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Looking for adventure in whatever comes our way

For the last couple of weeks we have had in our possession a Yamaha 660cc Tenere adventure motorbike while we awaited the arrival of panniers, topbox and bike helmet so we can begin our latest project. A group of three are heading from here on the 1st May to travel from here to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia - a journey of about 9000 miles - to raise money for various charities including Marie Curie, Highland Hospice and the MS Society. Check out Transmission Mongolia and even sponsor the guys...

We have been asked to do some artwork to the bike for one of the sponsors, Rotech. The guys have asked us to come up with something and our final design will be based on a mix of themes including Mongolian art, tartan and the 1980's! It's going to be pretty colourful...
Hoping to complete all this next week and will get some pics up. - FIN

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Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild

Steppenwolf (1968)

For the last couple of weeks we have had in our possession a Yamaha 660cc Tenere adventure motorbike while we awaited the arrival of panniers, topbox and bike helmet so we can begin our latest project. A group of three are heading from here on the 1st May to travel from here to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia - a journey of about 9000 miles - to raise money for various charities including Marie Curie, Highland Hospice and the MS Society. Check out Transmission Mongolia and even sponsor the guys...

We have been asked to do some artwork to the bike for one of the sponsors, Rotech. The guys have asked us to come up with something and our final design will be based on a mix of themes including Mongolian art, tartan and the 1980's! It's going to be pretty colourful...
Hoping to complete all this next week and will get some pics up. - FIN

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Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild

Steppenwolf (1968)

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Wasted days, and sleepless nights

Well we are really busy at the moment, honestly... but earlier this morning, Fin asked a question about miter limits in Adobe Illustrator, and what started as an illustrated explanation resulted in branding and album title for a faux 80s metal band.

So, our 80s band is called VAWAWAWA; Our debut album: Merlin's Mask; and our "Eddie" mascot is a luchador (based on an illustration we found online, and butchered, courtesy of David Rowley). Video promo and LP release date still to be arranged.

Enough said ... now back to work!  - AL

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Whitesnake - Is This Love

Whitesnake (1987)

Well we are really busy at the moment, honestly... but earlier this morning, Fin asked a question about miter limits in Adobe Illustrator, and what started as an illustrated explanation resulted in branding and album title for a faux 80s metal band.

So, our 80s band is called VAWAWAWA; Our debut album: Merlin's Mask; and our "Eddie" mascot is a luchador (based on an illustration we found online, and butchered, courtesy of David Rowley). Video promo and LP release date still to be arranged.

Enough said ... now back to work!  - AL

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Whitesnake - Is This Love

Whitesnake (1987)

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Risin' up, back on the street

I have worn glasses since I was 12. Over the years I have had some pretty shocking eyewear! But for the last few years I have been getting some really nicely designed frames from our local optometrists who put a lot of effort into sourcing original well crafted glasses.

So I really enjoyed being able to return the favour and help them with their rebranding as they change to Goskirk Pettinger.

Along with the new logo and stationery we also designed the signage for the exterior of their new flagship shop which opens this week in Inverness. We had the sign sandblasted in cedar, which ties in nicely to the use of natural materials for the finishes in the interior. Here is a wee sneak peak at the signage and new logo. - AL

We also produced a large wall piece for the interior of the shop which you can see here.


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Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger
Eye Of The Tiger (1982)

I have worn glasses since I was 12. Over the years I have had some pretty shocking eyewear! But for the last few years I have been getting some really nicely designed frames from our local optometrists who put a lot of effort into sourcing original well crafted glasses.

So I really enjoyed being able to return the favour and help them with their rebranding as they change to Goskirk Pettinger.

Along with the new logo and stationery we also designed the signage for the exterior of their new flagship shop which opens this week in Inverness. We had the sign sandblasted in cedar, which ties in nicely to the use of natural materials for the finishes in the interior. Here is a wee sneak peak at the signage and new logo. - AL

We also produced a large wall piece for the interior of the shop which you can see here.


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Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger
Eye Of The Tiger (1982)

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I couldn't do nothing but watch as her tears fell on fresh fruit

We recently were asked to design the cover for a new book, Royal Company, published by Christian Focus Publications. The book is a study on The Song of Solomon, the passionate love poems between a king and his lover. One of the challenges was to pitch the cover so that it alluded to the sensual nature of the book without it looking like a bad romance novel! 

After a bit of research, and brainstorming, we settled on the burst pomegranate - a repeated feature of The Song of Solomon and a traditional symbol in both Judaism and Christianity. - AL

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Sparklehorse - Tears On Fresh Fruit

Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot (1995) 

We recently were asked to design the cover for a new book, Royal Company, published by Christian Focus Publications. The book is a study on The Song of Solomon, the passionate love poems between a king and his lover. One of the challenges was to pitch the cover so that it alluded to the sensual nature of the book without it looking like a bad romance novel! 

After a bit of research, and brainstorming, we settled on the burst pomegranate - a repeated feature of The Song of Solomon and a traditional symbol in both Judaism and Christianity. - AL

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Sparklehorse - Tears On Fresh Fruit

Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot (1995) 

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I can't hear you...

Over the last couple of months we have had the privilege of working with two different artists on album artwork.

The first album, The Quiet in the Land, is calamateur's latest and is a beautiful and honest evolution of his past sounds. This is the sixth piece of cover art we have designed for calamateur, and as always it has been an inspirational listen - another great album!

We designed the cover artwork as well as a 13 page album artwork download, with artwork for each track. - AL

For the second album we did a photo-shoot and design work for Dagger & Colin Gordon's new album Like Father / Like Son.

"Arguably Scotland’s leading mandolin player for many years and he’s clearly passed his talent for negotiating strings and frets onto his guitar-playing oldest son, Colin. The pair are captured on this splendidly intimate album playing older Scottish pipe marches, dance tunes and airs, many of them long neglected ... a splendidly intimate album." The Herald

It has been ten years since we last worked with Dagger on his album Frozen River, so it was good working with him again and we look forward to working with him again in 2021 on his next album!

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The Dead Weather - I Can't Hear You

Sea of Cowards (2010)

Over the last couple of months we have had the privilege of working with two different artists on album artwork.

The first album, The Quiet in the Land, is calamateur's latest and is a beautiful and honest evolution of his past sounds. This is the sixth piece of cover art we have designed for calamateur, and as always it has been an inspirational listen - another great album!

We designed the cover artwork as well as a 13 page album artwork download, with artwork for each track. - AL

For the second album we did a photo-shoot and design work for Dagger & Colin Gordon's new album Like Father / Like Son.

"Arguably Scotland’s leading mandolin player for many years and he’s clearly passed his talent for negotiating strings and frets onto his guitar-playing oldest son, Colin. The pair are captured on this splendidly intimate album playing older Scottish pipe marches, dance tunes and airs, many of them long neglected ... a splendidly intimate album." The Herald

It has been ten years since we last worked with Dagger on his album Frozen River, so it was good working with him again and we look forward to working with him again in 2021 on his next album!

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The Dead Weather - I Can't Hear You

Sea of Cowards (2010)

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