Venice Biennale 2012: British Pavilion

Venice Biennale 2012: British Pavilion presents 'Venice Takeaway' Responding to David Chipperfield’s ‘Common Ground’ theme for the 2012 Venice Biennale by seeking out imaginative responses to universal issues worldwide in an ambitious global research project.

I have been working with writer and curator Elias Redstone and Vanessa Norwood, Head of Exhibitions at the Architectural Association to present Elias's research into an eight page comic (you can see pages 4 and 5 above). Elias investigated 'Fideicomiso' in Argentina, a legal trust which enables architects to fund their own projects.

It's a really interesting story and was a great opportunity to use the comic genre to present factual information in an engaging way. It will be displayed on eight A2 light boxes in a specially designed environment created by graphic and environmental brand designers, Born Design.

After the Biennale, the Venice Takeaway exhibition can be seen at the RIBA Gallery in London from February 26 to April 27, 2013.

You can read more about this project at www.archdaily.com

London 2012 Time for Tea

A bit of British nostalgia for Rosy Lee Tea publicity designed to go in London Taxis and other visitor destinations over the summer.

School of Life new site live

The School of Life has just launched its new website. I have been working with them on illustrations and icons for use throughout. www.theschooloflife.com

Emily McDowell draws

American illustrator Emily McDowell is responsible for these adorable hand rendered type illustrations with sweet and inspiring quotes!You can buy her prints on her Etsy shop here.

How to display

It's just so great to see them in bookshops…

Wake

A couple of great type-illustration renders for wakeboarding. By Plastic Bionic, who have a fantastic website and portfolio of work!!! I [heart] these! Follow the wake....

People Too

Russian illustrators, People Too (from what I understand, a duo), do some amazing mini illustrations on music sheets. Check out their site for more great work.

New book series

Just off the press, the first set of books designed for The School of Life, in conjunction with Pan Macmillan. Six guides for everyday living. Examining some of the great issues of life – work, sex, money, emotional maturity, digital life and changing the world. They all look super nice with bright fluro colours and round corners. Arriving in bookshops on May 10th. 

How to Stay Sane

As well as designing the covers for the How To books, I also did the illustrations for Philippa Perry's book 'How to Stay Sane' Above are 3 of the 20 illustrations which appear through out the text. I hope to be giving a copy of this book to everyone I know – not for the the pictures, but for Philippa's sensible suggestions to stop straying from the path of sanity into the cliffs of chaos or the ruts of ridgitity…

I am Pin

I love finding lovely work by local designers, and Phillipos Vassiliades is no exception. The freelancer has s steady hand as proven by one look at his illustrations, and he often incorporates these in his graphic work, with some lovely logos too. Love his colour sensibility, always opting for a minimal colour palette. Love, love, love!!! Keep up the good work Phillipos!

See his portfolio here.

Make the most of your time

I have just finished illustrating a guide to 'How to Make the Most of Your Time' for the Guardian. Produced in conjunction with The School of Life, the guide delivers provocative ideas and practical tips from members of their faculty including: David Baker, Alain de Botton, Tom Chatfield, Ed Halliwell, Cathy Haynes, Roman Krznaric, Jon Turney and Mark Vernon. And it's FREE with The Guardian newspaper this Saturday 28 January 2012.

Laydeez do Comics

In December I gave a short talk at Laydeez do Comics. I'm not really a comic creator I just dabble a bit. I talked about design, drawing and doing a bit of comic stuff. The picture above is from a story I am working on called Spy and I hope to finish in my lifetime. You can read about it on their blog here: www.laydeezdocomics.com Laydeez is run by Nicola Streeten and Sarah Lightman. Nicola is the author of the recently published graphic novel Billy, Me and You, which is a brilliant account of death, bereavement and recovery. I know it's hard to imagine but it's also funny.

Chris Wharton's book covers

Some lovely book cover proposals by my pen pal, London based illustrator Chris Wharton. The authentic 'penguin book' style is unmistakable an I like that the back cover is part of the image, allowing for a larger landscape canvas as opposed to being restricted to a small portrait. My favourite ones are Death in the afternoon and The old man and the sea. Have a browse through Chris's portfolio on Behance for more work.

Realise your Potential films

Along with the workbook I have illustrated 4 accompanying films. Here are a small sample of some of the 60 or so different images.

Making plans

Collaboration

Determination