OUGD502 - SB01 - Chris McClean

OUGD502

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An Interview with Chris McClean

Chris McClean is a photographer, Graphic designer and director. He specialises in short films based around the sea. He also works on the surf magazine Backwash, an independent surf anthology magazine that plants a tree for every sing copy sold. 

This was our interview.


Can you explain what you do in a sentence?
I'm a filmmaker and photographer. 

Where did you study and what were some of your first jobs?
I studied landscape design and went down that route for a while before retraining as a graphic designer at the Anglia Polytechnic University in Cambridge I took a role as a junior designer at a small agency in Cambridge before applying and moving to O'Neill's HQ in Amsterdam. 

What have been your highlights since starting out?
I guess the highlights so far have been winning a D&AD as a student and having a film commissioned by Channel4

How would you describe your role at Backwash?
At Backwash I'm the Creative Director, I'm one of the founders and contribute on all levels from designing the magazine, commissioning content to planting the trees we plant for every issue sold.

Where do you gather inspiration?
Inspiration comes from lots of different places, but the one constant in which I've always drawn inspiration from is music, be it film scores or something obscure such as turn of the century Russian bell music.

Do you have any advice for students or recent graduates?
I think looking back it's easy to think the world is against you, but those frustrations just need channeling into positive energy. That might might meant you stay up all night screen printing or in the dark room but the more experience and experimenting you do all add up and feed into more ideas which you never know where they will lead you, and never think you can't do something, if you want it hard enough it will happen.

What would you like to achieve in 2018?

My biggest gripe with life is finding a good balance, family, work and personal projects… I always seem to be teetering on the edge of abyss, I'll like to find that balance.

OUGD502 - SB01 - LAND

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LAND

I contacted Caleb Owen Everitt and Ryan Rhodes at LAND, an Austin - based design studio and creative consultancy. They have a distinct style and they describe their work as a 'distinguishable by a unique blending of art, design and idealism,' Their goal is to use visual communication as a tool to transcend style and time.

Ryan got back to me, this is what he had to say:

Where did you study and what were some of your first jobs?

Caleb and I both studied communication design in college. We were both into "graphic design" before we really knew what it was. My first job out of school was at an advertising agency, working in the small design agency of the firm for 7 years. Then I broke out and worked solo for 2 years before starting Land with Caleb. He worked for a number of folks including Mtv as a freelancer. 

How did you develop your style and what tips would you have for others?

Our style was developed from experimentation. We just tried anything and everything, simplifying and refining. Just did what felt good. And then people started hiring us for our aesthetic. Now, that aesthetic is prevalent in design circles all over the world. Enough that we feel we need to change it up and move on... it became a trend, and we hate trends. I encourage others to do their own thing... the world needs originality, not repetition.

Where do you take your inspiration from and are there any designers out there right now you really admire?

We take our inspiration from old books, ancient and modern references. It comes from everywhere. If you get out and see the world, you see more, your mind expands and it affects you. There aren't any designers currently, but we always look to the past. 

What work excites you the most?

Lately we've been able to work on projects that require more involvement than the traditional "design" gigs. We've been stepping into more roles... architecture, interior design. We've also been digging into starting our own brand of menswear and home goods. We're creating textiles, fragrances, candles, wool sweaters, canvas jackets, and more. 

Do you have any advice for students or recent graduates?

Advice... yeah. Put yourself out there. Go work for the folks you admire, in any capacity. Challenge your comfort level. Don't just go into the world expecting a banger salary... get the experience first.

What would you like to achieve in 2018?

2018 will be full of experiments that I can't discuss ;) 

Do you have any must read books for designers?

Everyone must read the Let My People Go Surfing book by Yvon Chouinard, found of Patagonia. A great read for reluctant business minds. 

OUGD502 - SB02 - Ideas

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Ideas

As a group we have divided the work load. I will design Floor 2, Reds (Fashion Design, Printed textiles).

As we do not know the layout of the new building we have proposed the floor and grouping of courses. 

The idea is to use a white neon sign for floor level and then red accents throughout the floor. Each course on that floor will have a slightly different hue of red.

The wayfinding system will not be overwhelmed by colour, it will be subtle. 

Details:
lockers
 sewing machines
Trip lines on stairs
Red Mugs
Red plant pots

Inspiration:

Sketches

OUGD502 - SB02 - Action Plan

OUGD502 

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Action Plan

OUGD502 - SB02 - Rational

OUGD502

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Rational