Well done to all of our talented Central Institute of Technology Graduating Graphic Design students.

Last Wednesday night saw a fantastic turnout of the Perth creative community, and with the support of some great sponsors and some fantastic judging this year, I’m very proud and confident our lasted batch of sweet things will make the world a tastier place to look at and live in.

Also, a great write up by CAMPAIGN BRIEF (a long time sponsor of our graduates) here:
Slice of tomorrow’s stars at Just Desserts

Don’t forget to stop by their graduate site for more information and portfolio sample: Just Desserts

Photos this year again supplied by keen supporter and critical thinker, Uwe Wiersgalla, plus a few less formal photos below of the family and friends proceedings by BHD:

With only two days remaining before client presentation and shortlisting, Diploma students have been busy refining and developing their presentation boards after meeting with Clayton and Vivian from PERTH CITY FARM for a one-on-one work in progress session last week.

Here is some of the nervous capture as students explain and push their design ideas. Plus, a small taste of their URBAN DOMINATION poster exhibition, currently on tour through Central’s main foyers.

Last week, my diploma students were acknowledged and winners announced for Central’s Film & TV advanced diploma screening night for 2011, cleverly entitled SMOKE & MIRRORS.

Winner and ultimately, the production manager, senior designer and art director (rolled into one) for all the collatoral required by Film & TV was Kharissa Sadha.

The piece of work had to reflect values of tolerance, democracy and development. It could be an artwork, essay, story, digital media, or a project. Coupled with the work, students were required to complete a 200 word description of how their project addresses the competition criteria.

Winners were judged on the quality and relevance of the submitted piece of work, a demonstrated commitment to studies and leadership and the capacity to represent the leadership.

Kathy Allam was one of the main winners for a piece entitled ‘The threads that bind us’.

“The piece symbolises how many relationships bind individual countries and people into a unified whole – the Commonwealth,” said Kathy.
“Separate fabric pieces have been frayed and then woven together to signify the ability of tolerance, equality, human justice, democracy, good governance, free trade and multiculturalism to bond diverse people. “On a smaller scale these high ideals are mirrored at Central: individuals from diverse cultures come together to study and in the process insight and understanding produce greater tolerance, and many friendships are formed,” she said.

Highly commended prizes were given to 5 students – Didier Bertrand, Prakash Rughoobur, Rachel Wells, Louise Southalan and Deborah Haslam. Plus a Certificate of Recognition went to a group of students who produced ‘The CHOGM Globe’. Its distorted shape representing an imperfect world and a tiara on top represented the Monarch and Head of the Commonwealth.

We found the James Crofts Hope Foundation via GoodCompany and acted quickly to brief this into our Adv Diploma group as their final integrated assignment.

The James Crofts Hope Foundation is committed to providing support and assistance to adults and children diagnosed with brain tumours, their carers and family, and also to the advancement of the treatment, and research of these conditions.

Student’s looked at all aspects of design, marketing, advertising, website refresh and a complete brand audit.

Below is some work in progress photos as students presented to John Crofts.

Earlier this year, I was interviewed on a new TV show filmed in Perth, Western Australia by Curtin University, called CREATIF TV

They set the plot as:

I’ve attached a short clip from the show of the interview panel grabbling with the big question…

metaMORPHosis was the new art and design exhibition for senior secondary school students being presented by Central Institute of Technology this year. The exhibition was developed to acknowledge and promote the excellence and originality achieved by senior secondary school students in their art and design studies. Central also sees the exhibition as a complement to our prestigious art and design programs and as a reflection on the shift (or metaMORPHosis) from student to artist/designer.

I spoke at the event and awarded prizes to 12 students. Below is the short speech I gave prior to the handing out of certificates.

Central’s Advanced Diploma graduating Graphic Design students were treated to a comprehensive and well developed presentation by Astrid Fackelmann of HiLighter this week. Astrid layed out the process and starting point of well considered portfolio and CV development and explained the benefits of setting ongoing workplace goals that speak volumes about the graduating student’s personality and direction.

Data and research from Perth’s small and challenging small design studio base was examined as was design personality types and the importance of professional networks like AGDA WA, contact with mentors, surrounding yourself with talented peers (potential team creation like that of tonne gramme) and of course, giving back to non-profit organisations as frequently as possible and documenting the results (I use Goodcompany).

I took some notes to share and some pics of the grad group.

The theme for this years AGDA Poster Annual was “Inspired by Music”.

Diploma students undertook this as a class assignment and were invited to be inspired and interpret this theme however they wish. The results (collated below) showcase these outstanding responses to the brief. And with a fantastic Jury lined up to judge this years competition, fingers crossed Central students will be as rewarded as they were last year (previously, 5 out of 30 nationally selected students were from Central! View the 2010 gallery here.)

Music is perhaps the oldest of humanity’s creative endeavours. It is both an art form as well as a type of communication. The world over music is a source of entertainment, celebration, worship and expression. The diversity of music reflects the soul of the world and binds us all. We all experience music at emotional and cultural levels. It offers us our finest moments and records our trials and our joys. This is the power that we hope you can capture. AGDA POSTER ANNUAL

Congratulations to all my diploma advertising students who received an amazing brief from Parkerville Children and Youth Care, a non-government, not for profit organisation that has been providing care and protection to children and youth in need since 1903.

This ‘real life’ advertising pitch and campaign for Parkerville consistented of a high level briefing session and the subsequent ideas resulted in a fantastic outcome for Parkerville, with over 35 high quality advertising solutions developed and four finalist all award certificate and prizes for their concepts and campaign solutions.

Parkerville director’s Mark and Paul delivered a passionate brief, which was pivoital to the success of the outcome, by captivating the imagination in a highly prepared one hour briefing session, which students and lecturer’s alike responded to with collective awe. The student finalist artwork where:

• Myriah Jones (Using humour to create awareness)
• Dimitri Lenette (Foster Care Ad Campaign)
• Rachel Tay (to use for bequests)
• Layton Webber (to use for National Child Protection Week/Child AbuseAwareness Week)

Well done Myriah and Dimitri, Rachel and Layton.

See Dimitri’s advert below (in the WEST AUSTRALIAN) and winners below: