Ok, So here’s a neat little contest for all you budding creatives. Fenchurch are asking you all to go crazy and reinterpret their iconic logo, in return for a top top prize…

OFFICIAL DETAILS

Welcome to the Fenchurch Tee Fest!

Get those creative juices flowing: we are on the hunt to find fresh new talent to
join our creative world!

The Fenchurch Tee Fest is a competition to design a new tee to rock the upcoming festival season. All you need to do to enter is come up with an original, innovative way of interpreting our iconic logo. We’ve always handpicked the most respected freelance designers out there, and now we’re opening it up to the public. Go online and download the graphics pack and get involved!.

The Brief

Create a graphic incorporating the iconic Fenchurch logo using the summer festival season as a reference point.

The design can be produced in any medium, from photography to illustration so long as it incorporates the logo and is based on the summer festival theme. Interpret the theme in any way you like. Fun, mud, music, friends….you know the score.

The Prize

The winners will be announced on 11th June 2010. There will be one winner for the men’s Tee and one for the women’s, they will both receive a £200 prize as well as seeing their T-shirt design being produced and sold in stores and on www.fenchurch.com

For more details visit www.fenchurch.com/teefest for details.

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Just thought I’d big up UK creative 24exp (aka Chris Henley). He’s a designer who I’ve been a fan of for a while who produces minimal but awesome design work. The man who classes himself as “Part time creator, full time thinker” has just produced a lovely typographic print beauty for the Filmstock International film festival.

The limited edition screen printed poster is to commemorate 10 years of film, music, art and friendship that is, was and will always be Filmstock.

Filmstock Commemorative Poster

As I’m here I may as well also show you some other work, which makes me want to get on a train and go down to Northhamptonshire and shake the guys hand.

24exp Logo as featured in the Los Logos book

'Folk Me' Tees

Organ Donation Tees

Filmstock Tee

Check out more on the 24exp site

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When James from London based clothing brand Dirrrtee, hit me up recently to tell me about the new winter 09 range I knew I could expect some super sleek offerings. Dirrrtee has been busting out street smart designs since 2008, with their aim of combining streetwear with unique custom threads. In fact they initially specialised in producing individual custom hand made items for sale worldwide. Although they have since stopped customising one-offs, Dirrrtee only ever produces clothing in limited quantities, with the view that once an item has sold out it won’t be re-released.

And thus to mark the brand’s expansion, they are celebrating with 2 new limited editions, with only 150 of each made! The tees have are entitled “Seek Thy Truth” and “Gotta Get Dirrrtee to Get Fresh.” Both vary in style, message and colorways, but still maintain the high standard screenprint. They also include inner neck label print and matte finish swing tag. I like both prints but my personal fave is Seek thy truth as it features some beautifully symmetrical curves forming the famous triangle which houses the eye of providence, better known as the “all seeing eye”. The design is inspired by a love for wanting to know more about the world, but more importantly knowing more about yourself. Absolute WINNER!

Seek Thy Truth

Gotta Get Dirrrtee to Get Fresh

The great thing about Dirrrtee is that there a bunch of great honest guys, working hard to produce some dang fine wears. If you have a few spare pennies lying around, go help this independent crew out! Get dirrrtee today!

Dirrrtee Girls

This Just in… Dirrrtee X SB.TV collab!

They just keep on rockin’ the shizzle! Dirrrtee have teamed up with the UK’s most popular urban Street Broadcaster; SB.TV to produce a highly limited run. This t-shirt is limited to just 50 pieces(!) and available exclusively through the Dirrrtee online store. One of the kings of grime, Skepta has also personally endorsed it!

Skepta wearing the Dirrrtee X SB.TV tee

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This is a loud shout out to a fantastic new product I’ve been watching for a while… The highly anticipated first collection of Vannen Watches is now available exclusively at VANNENWATCHES.COM!!!

Created on the premise that this genre of wearable art would never get made otherwise, founder David Stowe and an amazing lineup of artists have come together to bring Vannen to life. The first collection of Vannen Watches features designs by Buff Monster, Brian Morris, Chris Ryniak and Damon Soule. Individually inspected, assembled and packaged by hand in the USA, every watch is treated like a true piece of art. Each selected artist is given a plastic watch as a canvas to showcase their original artwork and connect with the world. Constructing wearable art that is both functional and accessible – but still exclusive – Vannen has given the public a fun new way to show their taste in art and fashion and support a new movement in artistic achievement. And all artists design their own custom packaging.

About Vannen Watches

Founder David Stowe is a 33-year old professional designer currently living in Hollywood, CA. Stowe says he was raised in “equal parts” in Lynchburg, Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina and Orlando, Florida. Loosely translated, Vannen is the Swedish word for “Friend,” and David wanted to create a dual-function production that was artist-friendly and supported. His idea was to produce a line of watches that contributed to the artists of today and matched his taste in art, fashion and design.

Visit the super stylish Vannen Watches website and get them bought!

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Hello! How are you doing today?

Not too bad at all. Sick last week, so this week is feeling a lot more productive. Thanks for asking.

Tell us what Drew Millward is about, what you do and why you do it.

That is the sort of thing that will send me into an existential crisis. I find it best not to think about myself too much in the third person, and certainly not to pay too much attention to what I’m all about. Basically I’m an artist/designer/illustrator. It’s not that easy to pigeonhole really. I suppose there are elements of all those disciplines in what I do. But the bottom line is that enjoy drawing pictures and having fun.

You seemed to have a developed a unique balance and blend of dark and light themes within your work, where does that influence comes from?

I think those are elements that I’m very much interested in. I’m drawn to things that have elements of light and dark, it’s something that I strive to illustrate in my own work. The thought that something can be attractive and disturbing at the same time is something that can engage a viewer in a pretty interesting dialogue. It allows you to build narrative into the work that would otherwise be lost without that balance. If something looks nice and the subject matter is ‘nice’, as much as people are drawn to it, the attraction tends to stop there. Equally with an image that works only to offend or confront the viewer will only really illicit one sort of response. You mix the two together, and you instantly create something that is a lot more engaging. I’m not saying I always achieve that, but it’s definitely something I look to as what I hope to create.

Are there any hidden meanings or messages within your work?

Lots. I find it really dull listening to people explaining why things are done the way they are done. It takes away some of the mystery. Like I mentioned before, I like the viewer to enter into some sort of dialogue with the work, so if someone sees something that means something to them it can draw them in and create a narrative that is personal to them, or indeed is intended to be there.
I love comics, and I love the traditional narrative form, but personally I could never think about sitting down and drawing a whole book. I would simply get bored. I’m much more interested in getting a narrative into a single frame, be that a poster, shirt, painting… anything really.

Tell us a bit about the process of your designs. I understand you do a lot of it by hand first.

Yeah, I’m a bit of a heathen really. I still prefer to draw everything by hand and then put it together in Photoshop later. I suppose as time has gone by I have become more reliant of computers to colour images and I’m beginning to see the advantages of using them to work out layouts a bit more, but I still would never want to stray too far from the hand-made aesthetic. Drawing is what I love doing, so creating something purely with a computer is not something I’m in any hurry to do. Having said that, it’s about the best tool you can hope for aside from a paper and a pen.

Does the music of the band you design for have any aesthetic impact on what you produce?

I would like to think so. The challenge of designing for a band is to try and capture the aesthetic of their music into a visual medium. As much as I have a style of work, I would like to think that I tailor what I do to the specific project I’m working on… maybe some are more successful than others. I really try as much as I can to work with bands that I personally like. As much as I don’t like turning down work, sometimes it’s unavoidable. If I were to disagree with a bands politics, or really dislike their music I would find it very difficult to produce work for them. I guess it’s a balance you have to get right.

You’ve done posters for The Melvins, Sonic Youth, Gallows, Bon Iver. What has been your favourite design you have done to date?

I’d probably say my Mogwai poster, but in truth it’s usually the last thing I have completed, since it’s usually fresh enough for me not to be sick of the sight of it.

Where do you hope to take your work in the next few years and eventually in the long term?

I’d love to carry on doing what I’m doing. As much as I bitch and moan about it, I genuinely consider myself one of the luckiest people on earth to be able to do what I’m doing. There are some things I’d like to do, like make toys, more clothing projects, more album work, but that is pretty much what I’m doing now. I would, however, like to own a house. Anything that can make that happen would be the best.

Music

What are you currently enjoying?

I’m constantly listening to music, so it’s a pretty long and eclectic list to be honest.
I’m listening to a lot of Tom Waits of late. I’ve always been a fan, but I’ve recently gone back and filled in some gaps that were in my collection. As a body of work it’s pretty much second to none, he even came through the 80’s unscathed. It’s pretty impressive that he has never made a bad album in such a lengthy career.

Other stuff…P.O.S., Trap Them, Black Tusk, Thou, Cannibal Ox, Pinback, Springsteen, Russian Circles, Hanged Up, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Sunn 0))), Master Musicians of Bukkake, Goblin, Wolves in the Throne Room, Crippled Black Phoenix, Guapo, King Crimson, Lambchop, Richmond Fontaine, Mendoza Line, Giant Sand, Mogwai, Narrows, Planes Mistaken For Stars….

Who would be your all time favourite band you would design for?

I’m honestly not sure. Mission of Burma are one of my favourite bands, but I’m unsure whether my work would fit with their aesthetic. I’d love to work with Shellac, that would be awesome. To be honest, I’m happy to work with anyone who would ask me. But if pushed it would have to be Tom Waits.

Debate

What’s really ticking you off at the moment?

Most things really. I’m a grouchy individual at the best of times, but couple that with the fact that I’m mainly sat alone means I’m pretty much wound up by most things and most people.

What are you “buzzing” and being happy about?

Working alone and for myself.

And finally what would you change in this crazy world?

I honestly wouldn’t know where to begin.

You can view more work and information on the Drew Millward website. You can also follow Drew Millward on Twitter.

Drew Millward’s Music pick on spotify

Tom Waits, Cannibal Ox, Pinback, Goblin, Lampchop

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Just a shout out for Abi and Des at Doodlezine to let people know there are still copies of their fabulously A5 hand crafted zine full of brilliant doodles. It features a double page spread from Jon Burgerman and the front cover was delightfully illustrated by Bish

You can also stay up to date on the Doodlezine Blog for future issues, and you can even submit your own doodle. Go on, get your biros out!

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I recently interviewed 80′s inspired, illustration sensation Derek Deal over at Thunder Chunky. Derek talks about his inspirations, 80′s toys, The Black Axe and much much more!

Don’t be dumb. Go read the full interview at Thunder Chunky

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Saw this recently, and just had to admire the concept. Fantastic if you share office space with other companies or you have a food thief on your premises!

“Tired of having your food stolen by sticky-fingered coworkers or roommates? Bullies taking your kids lunch? Well if so worry no more! Anti-theft Lunch Bags are sandwich bags that have green splotches printed on both sides, making your freshly prepared lunch look spoiled. Dont suffer the injustice of having your sandwich stolen again! Protect your lunch with Anti-Theft Lunch Bags!”

Made out of food-safe reusable and recyclable LDPE and are sandwich size. 25 bags per box.

Buy Anti Theft Lunch bags here

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Attention music and art lovers everywhere! Sleevage is a critical analysis of all your favourite music covers from the LP’s of the 60’s to the digital artworks of now. It studies the context of the pieces just like gallery exhibits and reveals the who, what, why, when and where of each cover.

It also has good amount of comments from other fans, so there’s plenty of healthy debate on why the Sex Pistols were bollocks or what the 50′s spacegun was all about on the Foo Fighters debut album.

Go visit the Sleevage today!

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