Here’s a sneak peak at what I’m currently making for a personal project, I know it doesn’t show much, but I don’t want to ruin the surprise for people.
I will send a few out when I’ve had them properly printed in a few weeks time. It’s not even finished yet but I’ve already decided the box I’m going to make for them…
I haven’t had much time to do sketches these days, but I’m trying to encourage myself to produce a few a day even if it’s only for a few minutes.
These are produced on the metro or bus on the way to and from work.
‘I am what is around me.’ B. Matisse: 1951
The only thing we all have in common is our environment. Most people will not be fully aware of what is fully going on around them. It’s a shame that people don’t spend the time to admire the space around them, our background as designers allows us to see the world in a completely different light than most. This takes an entire life time to learn and understand, but we all strive to create something that is truly beautiful. Just how this is accomplished is different for everyone, most will not learn what it is until they have reached an older age, some may never believe that they have reached it.
Everyday provides something that amazes, something new and exciting, either through the beauty it portrays or because of the attention to detail that has been placed behind it. But what of the things that are left unnoticed? What has become of them? Are they not worthy of our glances? Is it that the best artists and designers are the ones that move away from the stereotypical approach to engulf that which we cannot see?
Even sitting here my eyes pick up on a book about writing an essay. What use is this to me now? Within the front cover, written with patience, is the name ‘Barbara Baker’ a Great Aunt of mine, the book is all well and good, but what is really fascinating is that I had just found myself in a moments lapse of thought. How had this book traveled to become in my hands? How long had it been there? Connections with the past intrigues me, the hidden detail adds an exponential character to this boring, tattered and musty book.
What would the difference be if another relation; of Barbara Baker? Does their history dictate the true emotional value of the book? It is just a book after all, nothing more.
Over the last couple of days I’ve been trying to change my website to something more simplistic, a page where my work is the main content and fills the viewers attention.
I believe I’ve got the right balance here, it still requires a few more tweaks to tighten the loose screws in the code, but as my first go at basic Javascript I don’t think it is that bad.
If anyone knows any javascript or other such code and wouldn’t mind getting in touch or it looks weird to you please write in the comments.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, ate loads of food, and more importantly had a good time with friends and family.
Now that most people have received my Christmas cards, (I know some are yet to receive them, might be a bit late I know) I thought I’d put them up here. It was very tight sending them out, I landed back in the UK late on the 22nd, a day to sand make envelopes and send them out, some lucky people got them on the 24th so I’m happy.
As some will know I’m not a huge fan of ‘normal’ Christmas cards, so each year I try and produce something creative, that hopefully people enjoy assembling, rather than just opening them.
This year’s seems to have gone down pretty well, and I’m glad those who received them enjoy them.
I’m already starting to get plans for next years card…
All that’s left to say is have a eventful 2012 and enjoy tonight’s celebrations whatever you may be doing!
As it was the 1st of December I thought I’d do a quick sketch doodle.
Well it’s been two weeks of working in Amsterdam, and what a busy two weeks they have been!
I’ve learnt so much already, not just in the technical side of things but culturally as well. I’m working as part of an international team it’s enlightening, oddly no one is Dutch, that’s not so much of a problem. I’m still going to try to learn Dutch while I’m here but I have a severe lack of time, a vast contrast to the months before the placement.
Last weekend I went to the Dutch Design Festival in Eindhoven, there were lots of different works, I will admit it is very similar to any design festival, such as the one I went to in London a few weeks ago. I has kind of hoping it would be a bit more, erh… Dutch. Design these days seems very global, no matter what country you are in, it could be from anywhere, at least in the vast majority of cases anyway. I’m sure there are plenty of studies looking into the Globalisation of design, so I won’t go into that detail here.
In the mean time it just makes me want to create something completely different.
Here are a few pictures:
I’ve shown the image above on this blog before, they are worth showing again though, they have comical side to them while being practical and being produced in ceramic tops it off!
The images of the people above were fascinating, produced using a mixture of digital and real life; projections onto cut outs and fans blowing the clothes, produced a strange effect, it wasn’t until you’d been staring at them for a short while that you realise the facial expressions change slowly, quite creepy but very engaging.
I liked everything about the exhibition that the piece above was included in, it was on a construction site! A real one, not one that was set up, works were hidden in alcoves and in the roof supports, very well done.
I’m slightly ashamed that it has been over a month since my last blog post! I haven’t really been that particularly busy so I have no excuse.
Tomorrow I’m heading off to Amsterdam for six months to work in a design studio, I have no idea what it’ll be like, should be exciting though!
I haven’t got much to say here just felt an update was in order, I’m working on a photography blog, I’ve got an idea to make it a bit more than just me putting images up every now and again, it’s in the rough stages at the mo, I’ll keep you informed.
I can’t stress how brilliant this website is, spend a few moments browsing through the images and captions. Wonderful!
I’ve started learning the Fiddle! (or Violin depending on what type of music is being played)
I’m a Furniture and Product Design Student studying at Nottingham Trent University, UK. Can you help me find a internship?
For my CV Click Here
For a sample of my work Click Here
A larger selection of work can be found on this blog and as hard copy in person on request.
If you like what see and you require a helping hand with any design work please contact me on Twitter @mattshiggins or email mail@matthiggins.co.uk
Some people find it odd that I seem to always have the latest technology, but they become baffled when I get out my phone, yes it’s a 4 years old Nokia, but it does the job, what’s wrong with that? I digress…
I have a new phone though! Huzzah! A GPO (General Post Office) 8746 Rotary Phone from 1983!
Good clean up, a new info dial, it’s as close to the original I could make, and here it is.
Now to convert it to be used for Skype!
Bookbound portfolio, created to be easy to change, hence the bolts, reinforced spine should keep it going for longer.
