I had the opportunity to design the Legal Services Research Centre’s conference brochure that was held this summer 2010 in Cambridge. They supplied all the text and images from Cambridge to choose from, to include in the conference brochure.

Through the design process I focused on two key words; Cambridge and summer. I did a close study of the supplied images of Cambridge and compared all the colours between them. Through that, I was able to create a classic summer colour palette. The individual colours work together and with all the images used in the conference brochure.

The sections of the conference brochure are indicated with colour-coded tabs for easy and quick reference to the specific section of the brochure.

The metal wire bind was an obvious choice. The advantages of wire binding is the ability to open the brochure completely flat and even fold the brochure back upon itself. Especially at a conference, ‘lay flat’ characteristics are essential and makes the conference brochure easy to use and read. The inside cover has a custom made pocket for a USB Memory Card with the conferences’ papers.

Most of you have probably seen the epic movie, American Psycho… at least once.

America Psycho is originally from the novel by Bret Easton Ellis. The psychological thriller is told in the first person by Manhattan businessman, Patrick Bateman. He is a serial killer in his ‘spare time’. In 2000 the novel was adapted to the film by Mary Harron. The talented Christian Bale plays the role as Patrick Bateman brilliantly.

As a graphic designer, when I watched the move, one of the parts stood out for my amusement and appreciation. And in general it is one the most famous parts of the movie – the scene about the business cards. I like watching the business men use their business cards to compete with type, stock and print finishes.

That’s ‘Bone’. And the lettering is called something like Silian Braille.

Eggshell white with Romalian type. Nice.

Look at the subtle off-white colouring. A tasteful thickness of it. My God, it even has a watermark.

View the Business Card Scene on YouTube. I am not able to embed the video in this post. YouTube: Embedding disabled by request.

The image above, of the advert on the billboard has been going around the internet lately. An excellent add-on to the American Psycho repertoire.

I think I need to watch the movie again…

Not so long ago my sister asked me to design her an email party invite for her birthday. With me living in the UK and missing my sister in Cape Town, South Africa, I happily agreed to set it up as a birthday present. It is spring in South Africa and everyone is getting into the summer spirit (no pun intended). She is having a spit barbecue (in South African terms: Spit Braai). She requested something colourful. I was also reminded not to forget about her “hearts end”: her big black cat (with white features mixed in), a Sausage Dog and her Golden Retriever. Gathering a few elements, getting a bit nostalgic and putting my illustrating skills to the test, I thought I will post about it.

Just at the right time I read Little Box of Ideas where I downloaded the ‘Free Day Scene’ from Day And Night Scenes – Fun Free Vectors to use some elements for the background.

View the full version!