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

BLOG TITLE

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

BLOG TITLE

The Cure - Friday I'm In Love

Wish (1992)

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You were the dreamboat pedalo...

As promised we said we would get something up here soon so will start with our week in Edinburgh working on the Halmyre Street mural with our buddies as part of Blameless (website coming soon!).


The whole project was organised by the superbly energetic Fraser Gray and Morvern Cunningham (of Leith Late fame)  and our theme was a watery one - which tied in well with the weather we had for most of the week!

Have a selection of images below from talented photographer and nice guy Eoin Carey (with a couple of iPhone pics by me) and a brilliant film from the equally talented and good folks at Cagoule Productions.

The s.s.Explorer rides the waves with all kinds of detritus and creatures below the surface while the sky betrays nothing of the turmoil beneath with birds enjoying the setting sun (which also represents the people of Leith - see the profile? Our contribution was a text piece breaking the surface reading "Wha'll Buy My Caller Herrin'". A song sung by the local fisherwomen of the of the past.

As usual, great fun, collaboration (with the discussion that surrounds that...) and also food - the best home-cooked Thai meal EVER.

Here's to the next one.

Oh, and for those of you who follow our musical additions to our posts its worth checking this one out. You would think the lyrics were written especially for this job... - FIN

photo © Eoin Carey 2013

photo © Eoin Carey 2013

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Glasvegas - Lonesome Swan
Glasvegas (2008)

As promised we said we would get something up here soon so will start with our week in Edinburgh working on the Halmyre Street mural with our buddies as part of Blameless (website coming soon!).


The whole project was organised by the superbly energetic Fraser Gray and Morvern Cunningham (of Leith Late fame)  and our theme was a watery one - which tied in well with the weather we had for most of the week!

Have a selection of images below from talented photographer and nice guy Eoin Carey (with a couple of iPhone pics by me) and a brilliant film from the equally talented and good folks at Cagoule Productions.

The s.s.Explorer rides the waves with all kinds of detritus and creatures below the surface while the sky betrays nothing of the turmoil beneath with birds enjoying the setting sun (which also represents the people of Leith - see the profile? Our contribution was a text piece breaking the surface reading "Wha'll Buy My Caller Herrin'". A song sung by the local fisherwomen of the of the past.

As usual, great fun, collaboration (with the discussion that surrounds that...) and also food - the best home-cooked Thai meal EVER.

Here's to the next one.

Oh, and for those of you who follow our musical additions to our posts its worth checking this one out. You would think the lyrics were written especially for this job... - FIN

photo © Eoin Carey 2013

photo © Eoin Carey 2013

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Glasvegas - Lonesome Swan
Glasvegas (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

BLOG TITLE

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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All we like sheep...

Over the last few weeks we have been working a lot on a commercial project for Fearn Farm as they launched out into a new business venture. Needless to say we now know a lot more about rams/tups than we ever believed was necessary. However, between doing flyers, catalogues and signage for Farmer John Scott we hopefully produced a strong piece of work that helped him to hold a very successful event (the first of its kind up here...)

The event was also helped by the addition of beer from Cairngorm Brewery with a very inappropriate name and lamb on a spit cooked by Quintin from Storehouse of Fowlis.

A great time had by all.

Some of the pictures taken that evening are below - FIN

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Handel - Messiah Part II Scene 1  26. All We Like Sheep (chorus)
Messiah (1741)

Over the last few weeks we have been working a lot on a commercial project for Fearn Farm as they launched out into a new business venture. Needless to say we now know a lot more about rams/tups than we ever believed was necessary. However, between doing flyers, catalogues and signage for Farmer John Scott we hopefully produced a strong piece of work that helped him to hold a very successful event (the first of its kind up here...)

The event was also helped by the addition of beer from Cairngorm Brewery with a very inappropriate name and lamb on a spit cooked by Quintin from Storehouse of Fowlis.

A great time had by all.

Some of the pictures taken that evening are below - FIN

BLOG TITLE
Handel - Messiah Part II Scene 1  26. All We Like Sheep (chorus)
Messiah (1741)

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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

BLOG TITLE
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

BLOG TITLE
Runrig - Tear Down These Walls
Searchlight (1989)

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I can see all obstacles in my way

We know it has been quiet on here for the last few weeks - we are sorry. Things have been busy as usual, and to put the cherry on our cake we have joy of being in the middle of accounts for our friend the tax man!

However, in the middle of it all we got another great wee job to do further graphics for the TransmissionMongolia team. One of our other clients Goskirk Pettinger (previous blogs here and here) have sponsored the team with eyewear and a bunch of other gear. So we branded one of the bikers helmets for them. - AL

The team set out on their epic journey this Saturday from The Storehouse Foulis Ferry. They are raising money for some great causes, if you want to help them reach their goal you can sponsor them here.

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Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now
Johnny Nash (1973)

We know it has been quiet on here for the last few weeks - we are sorry. Things have been busy as usual, and to put the cherry on our cake we have joy of being in the middle of accounts for our friend the tax man!

However, in the middle of it all we got another great wee job to do further graphics for the TransmissionMongolia team. One of our other clients Goskirk Pettinger (previous blogs here and here) have sponsored the team with eyewear and a bunch of other gear. So we branded one of the bikers helmets for them. - AL

The team set out on their epic journey this Saturday from The Storehouse Foulis Ferry. They are raising money for some great causes, if you want to help them reach their goal you can sponsor them here.

BLOG TITLE
Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now
Johnny Nash (1973)

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And don't you ever come down

This month has been a bit short on blog entries but certainly not short on work...

Last week the three big jobs we were working were on a book and wayfinding signage for Timespan (which is due to go out to production and print in the next day or two), getting stainless steel signage installed for the Victorian Market in Inverness and also working on the bike for TransmissionMongolia.

Its been busy!

A few pics of the bike are below but we are still working on the panniers (have been spray painted with a couple of coats of black and getting their first coat of lacquer today) The knot pattern is an Olzii and is commonly found as a repeating motif on Mongolian Yurts - something we thought was appropriate given that the lads will be leading a nomadic lifestyle themselves (and maybe trying some yak's milk along the way...)

Will get some other images of recent work posted in the next few days too. Oh, and check out link to our blog below as well for a cracking tune. - FIN

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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Spread Your Love
B.M.R.C. (2001)

This month has been a bit short on blog entries but certainly not short on work...

Last week the three big jobs we were working were on a book and wayfinding signage for Timespan (which is due to go out to production and print in the next day or two), getting stainless steel signage installed for the Victorian Market in Inverness and also working on the bike for TransmissionMongolia.

Its been busy!

A few pics of the bike are below but we are still working on the panniers (have been spray painted with a couple of coats of black and getting their first coat of lacquer today) The knot pattern is an Olzii and is commonly found as a repeating motif on Mongolian Yurts - something we thought was appropriate given that the lads will be leading a nomadic lifestyle themselves (and maybe trying some yak's milk along the way...)

Will get some other images of recent work posted in the next few days too. Oh, and check out link to our blog below as well for a cracking tune. - FIN

BLOG TITLE
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Spread Your Love
B.M.R.C. (2001)

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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

BLOG TITLE

Whitesnake - Is This Love

Whitesnake (1987)

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The call of the steel that would never stop

Just got a picture sent to us today from our fabricators in Glasgow of steelwork for new signage we have designed for the Inverness Victorian Market. Here is a detail of one of our drawings and the pic. - AL

We are looking forward to seeing these installed and will post more photos when we have them.


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Big Country - Steeltown
Steeltown (1984)

Just got a picture sent to us today from our fabricators in Glasgow of steelwork for new signage we have designed for the Inverness Victorian Market. Here is a detail of one of our drawings and the pic. - AL

We are looking forward to seeing these installed and will post more photos when we have them.


BLOG TITLE
Big Country - Steeltown
Steeltown (1984)

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Everybody wants a little something good

Our Friday look back...

This time last year I was away in Sri Lanka for 4 weeks. Plenty of touring and some photography along the way with my wife and wee girl ... "great fun to be backpacking again with her in tow!"

I've picked a couple of shots that were done on 17th March 2011.

This time last year, Al was working on a branding solution for a local award winning food production company called The Forest Kitchen. They were looking for something a bit rustic and homemade to go with simple packaging (in their case brown paper bags etc.) - FIN

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Duke Special - Everybody Needs A Little Something

Songs From The Deep Forest (2006)

Our Friday look back...

This time last year I was away in Sri Lanka for 4 weeks. Plenty of touring and some photography along the way with my wife and wee girl ... "great fun to be backpacking again with her in tow!"

I've picked a couple of shots that were done on 17th March 2011.

This time last year, Al was working on a branding solution for a local award winning food production company called The Forest Kitchen. They were looking for something a bit rustic and homemade to go with simple packaging (in their case brown paper bags etc.) - FIN

BLOG TITLE

Duke Special - Everybody Needs A Little Something

Songs From The Deep Forest (2006)

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I'm gonna take her down to the market today

Over the last few days Fin has been photographing work for GALE (a charity working for the economy for the Gairloch & Loch Ewe area - where Fin grew up!).

We have been commissioned to make a product guide for local markets that happen in the area and we are working towards that just now. Plan it to be a 24 page brochure on a really nice uncoated paper stock with - hopefully - decent images. The montage below is just a few of them... - FIN

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The Kooks - Down To The Market

Konk (2008)

Over the last few days Fin has been photographing work for GALE (a charity working for the economy for the Gairloch & Loch Ewe area - where Fin grew up!).

We have been commissioned to make a product guide for local markets that happen in the area and we are working towards that just now. Plan it to be a 24 page brochure on a really nice uncoated paper stock with - hopefully - decent images. The montage below is just a few of them... - FIN

BLOG TITLE

The Kooks - Down To The Market

Konk (2008)

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In the days of my youth

It's Friday, it's sunny outside, we got some good tunes playing and we're just happy it's the weekend...

Thought we would maybe start a series of blogs where we post photography or design from previous years and by some outrageous freak co-incidence we have both picked something from this time six years ago!

In February/March 2006 I was away in India for five weeks working on a project about call centre workers in Mumbai and did a series of portraits of people connected to the industry. This one was of a lawyer who worked for the rights of employees. He was one of those people who seemed to remain calm when everything around him was chaos...

At the same time Al was in Fearn watching TV and pretending to work. However, he did manage to design a few book covers, one of which was the following. A book about the problem of evil in the world - basically people doing bad things to one another. Published in the wake of 7/7 and the fifth anniversary of 9/11, while the fear of terrorist attacks was being hyped in the press, the cover plays with the contrast between the shadows of a claustrophobic airplane cabin and the open sky. - FIN

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Led Zeppelin - Good Times, Bad Times
Led Zeppelin I (1969)

It's Friday, it's sunny outside, we got some good tunes playing and we're just happy it's the weekend...

Thought we would maybe start a series of blogs where we post photography or design from previous years and by some outrageous freak co-incidence we have both picked something from this time six years ago!

In February/March 2006 I was away in India for five weeks working on a project about call centre workers in Mumbai and did a series of portraits of people connected to the industry. This one was of a lawyer who worked for the rights of employees. He was one of those people who seemed to remain calm when everything around him was chaos...

At the same time Al was in Fearn watching TV and pretending to work. However, he did manage to design a few book covers, one of which was the following. A book about the problem of evil in the world - basically people doing bad things to one another. Published in the wake of 7/7 and the fifth anniversary of 9/11, while the fear of terrorist attacks was being hyped in the press, the cover plays with the contrast between the shadows of a claustrophobic airplane cabin and the open sky. - FIN

BLOG TITLE
Led Zeppelin - Good Times, Bad Times
Led Zeppelin I (1969)

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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.


BLOG TITLE
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.


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

reade more... Résuméabuiyad