St. Patricks Day

I am a huge fan of St.Patricks Day, an excuse to drink more, go out in the mid week and pretend that everyone is Irish, bas it become to commercial like Christmas where everything has to be green? I am however a massive fan of turning the river Green in Chicago and Boston. So just uploaded a few inspirational ideas and creative images to wish you a Happy St. Patricks Day 2011!

Reggae Inspiration

I have bee trying to find some new musical influences and have gone from CCR, to 10CC now onto the wonderfully happy world of Reggae. 'Wonderful World, Beautiful People' by Jimmy Cliff ... if this song is not one of your top 3 feel good songs of all time then you're pretty clueless! This dramatic change from Rock 'n' Roll and Country has given me a sence of inspiration and a definite 'spurt on' to finish my current part time Art + Design Diploma. Fingers crossed this should then lead me onto a Masters course. In this recent sence of inspiration, I spent most of today day completing painted illustrations of Tobasco bottles and pencils. Let's see what magical creations I can come up with in the next day or two?

Bucket List

My goodness - well into the start of January and I need to set myself some targets for 2011. So here goes with my bash at a bucket list for start of 2011.

1. Complete Basic Training with the British Army (Pirbright).

2. Blog more often.

3. Apply for Creative Masters (Creative Advertising at Falmouth).

4. Complete Course + show in Final Exhibition (Foundation Degree in Art + Design).

5. Work Experience (Gain more experience in a large busy + bustling agency).

6. Attend a friends up-state New York wedding in May.

7. Swim more often.



Will be sure to add to this as the months go on ...

Crack on the Street

This is a continuation on from the recent blog about Doris Salcedo's 'Shibboleth' at Tate Turbine Hall in 2007. This is a brief photographic exploratory study of 'crack on the street' and where inspiration for the installation could have come from.

Shibboleth...

...the title of Doris Salcedo's installation in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern 2007.

This Hebrew word ‘shibboleth’ is part of a plant containing grains. The correct/incorrect prounounciation of the word was used in biblical times to distinguish between one group and another. This was also used in WW2, where American Soliders used knowledge of baseball to determine who were fellow Americans and who were German infiltrators in American uniform. Today however it is a word to describe a popular group or in-crowd.

Doris Salcedo is an artist and sculptor whose work is influenced by her experiences of life in Colombia. This piece was the 'first work to intervene directly in the fabric' of the museum and a brief explanation of it can only be described as a long 167 metre crack along the length of the concrete Turbine Hall floor.

It raised so many questions: What lies beneath? What made it? How small did it start off as and how big will it get? It also holds a lot of meaning such as what it is supposed to represent - a division, a problem? She said her work "represents borders, the experience of immigrants, the experience of segregation, the experience of racial hatred. It is the experience of a Third World person coming into the heart of Europe".

more photos

Not much to talk about so again, just communicating through the power of image. These are kind of bokeh-esque. I have mentioned this before but just to re-educate you, 'bokeh' is the Japanese word for blurred/out of focused. These recent digital snaps show the use of macro in taking photographs which result in the out of focus background.

Everyone has a digital camera of some kind and should have a setting on it for close up. Any good digital camera should have a focus that lets you snap sharp pictures of things closer than 20cm. Why not be creative and have a play around and see what you can come up with. It's actually a fun way of seeing things up close and in a new viewpoint. Have a look at this online gallery of similar inspirational photographs.

Roof Top Antics

I am all about making an impact to create awareness and a roof top gig is the way to get people talking!
Many well known artists and bands do some crazy shit to raise their profile. Aside from throwing a TV out of a hotel window, Bon Jovi decided to promote their 12-date show in June of this year, by holding a live gig on the rooftop of London’s O2 Arena. This was broadcast on big screens so fans could see what was going on.
Great stuff, I am sure you'll agree - but it's been done! Even the great Harry Houdini in the early 1900's performed straitjacket escapes dangling upside-down from the roof of a building, whilst flyers were handed out below for publicity. There's something about buildings that attracts attention seekers: In 2004, Fathers for Justice protesters scaled the walls of Buckingham Palace dressed as super heroes. This along with similar stunts has resulted in unprecedented press coverage for the group and their ongoing campaign. U2 also played the top of Broadcasting House in 2009, to mark their 12th studio album (article). All this is nothing compared to the original stunt that the Beetles pulled, on a cold Janurary afternoon in 1969. Over 40 years, from the rooftops of Apple Records on Savile Row, the band gave a ‘concert’ that surprised a central London office lunch crowd, with the bands first live gig since they stopped touring in 1965. The Police, who objected to the noise attempted in vain to cut off the power but eventually gained access onto the roof and put an end to the 'disturbance'.













I give credit to the Beetles for their global success, however I feel they were overated. With that said, the swingin' 60's was an era that I wish I'd been alive to experience as a London Ad' Creative - where advertising was 'sexy & simple'. This stunt was original and a great way to end the 60's.

V&A

The Victoria and Albert Museum is not only the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, but is always on my to do list when I head to London.
Not that I have counted, but it boasts 145 galleries and with 12.5 acres of museum space attracting tourists who flock to see the massive collections of post-classical sculptures and South Asian art. The good thing about that is they never make it to the harder to find collection of photography. It is always changing and a great source of inspiration.
The fashion and textile gallery is always worth a look. Spent a while sketching a dress designed but the late Alexander McQueen, that took inspiration from a butterfly. They also have a collection on designer menswear, including now vintage suits from Paul Smith, Yves Saint Laurent and an original and eye catching Tommy Nutter! (Now he is one designer I would have liked to meet). Due to the variety of collection, the newly designed garden space, the grand eating space along with the V&A being a great source of inspiration, if you have yet to visit ... GO!!!

a pictures speaks a thousand words

I have not got much to say this evening and as a big believer in how 'a picture speaks a thousand words' I will communicate through these images. No matter where I go, I'm always snapping photos and it's a great way to improve and develop photography skills. I love taking photos and a part of me in longing to study photography and attempt to become a fashion and advertising photographer. Still a part of me just enjoys the simple taking of the picture. Here is a random collection of recent photo's taken around and about on my travels.

photos of reflection

Thought I'd upload photos of reflection to the blog. I have received many odd looks from people, whilst I'm taking what seems to them as empty photos, but they are do not know that through the eye of the camera, a reflection can pick up images of everyday people, activity and objects. I think these have all turned out quite well. Keep an eye out for what's happening in a puddle, a shop window or other shiny thing near you as you will be suprised what image it reflects.

Huw Talfryn Walters, a Welsh London based photographer also adopts a similar style. Take a look at this photo of NYC from the East River. He has had the opportunity to take portraits and photos of Catherine Zeta Jones, Karachi and even Kurdish Separatists.

Famous photographer, Irving Penn once said "photographing a cake can be art" so I hope that will encourage you to pick up a camera and start snapping. Take a look at the photography on http://www.owenmorgs.com/ which has a link to my flickr page if you want to see more.

lack of inspiration now lack of design

Having now come out of my serious 'lack of inspiration session' I am now starting a period of serious 'lack of design work due to an ill computer'. Not to worry, it has led me to whip out a sketchbook and sharpen my pencils! With 3 hours on the train later, I will be sure to come up with something.
Today, heading to London, I have slotted in some time to take photos, eat, partay and visit the work from the 2010 graduating year of the University of Wales, Newport Documentary Photography degree. They have recently started a new course called photography for fashion and advertising which is seriously tempting, if it wasn't another 3 years + a serious amount of moneys, I'd be interested. In the mean time, I've still been snapping away, with my selection of cameras + tripods! This supposed fashion shot: 'little black suit, little black tie, little black shoes' is being posted because if anything it's a bit different ... odd different! Yup, without a theme, assignment or topic to base a decent photo shoot around, I'm officially loosing it! Work is sending me to take photos of 30 consultant surgeons at a hospital in the next few weeks, so yes my content isn't that great.
Also heading to the University of the Arts London's summer graduate shows for another dose of inspiration. I will be heading to view the next generation of art, design, fashion, communication and performance talent - so should be entertaining. looking forward to seeing the Photography for Fashion show at the Richard Young Gallery.

Heading to the smoke.

On my search for inspiration and a possible masters, I am heading to a number of University grad shows next week, on a trip to the big smoke (London). Swansea Met' Advertising graduates work is up in the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, and a friend has her photography work up in an exhibition (which I scouted the location for) in the Candid Arts Centre. Hoping to see the Central St Martins fashion and graphic design shows along with other exhibitions from the University of the Arts London. Some related news: The LCF BA Photography graduates have been featured on Vogue.com Also stopping by the Sketchbook magazine studio in Notting Hill for a quick talk about some possible design projects. They're a magazine featuring fashion, illustration, and in-depth interviews that's all curated and designed in London - so should be fun! Also swinging by the Go Viral office for a talk about future opportunities ... excited! They seem like a pretty switched on bunch of people, take a look at their recent Top 10 Virals.

Lack of blog due to ...

There has been a lack of blog due to serious lack of inspiration! To find a dose of the magical stuff, I took a trip to Birmingham City University Grad Shows to see what I could find. Snapped a good few photos from the day and saw some amazing pieces of art, design and similar creations.

















The fashion + textiles, visual communication and photography exhibitions were all pretty inspiring and made me want to get back to Uni. I am going to dust of my portfolio and see if I can't apply for a creative masters somewhere. I better start saving the mula because a masters ain't that cheap! Still it was so refreshing to see all the graduates work. The fashion design was remarkable as well as the illustration work.


















Since I work for a small agency, my work load overlaps from creative, design + marketing, to photography, web design and now PR. Since my use of the English language isn't that shit hot, I know I will never be any good at PR! I can churn out ideas, creative concepts, design, adverts and branding but as a creative so-un-so, I'm finding the whole organisation of press trips difficult. It doesn't help that for the last few weeks tabloid sports journalists have all been at the US Golf Open and now Wimbledon. It also doesn't help that I am not a keen golfer!

Here's my business card ...

I seemed to have developed a strong interest in business cards. Here is a collection of creative business card designs. If that isn't enough, here are another 44 top business card concepts, to view and be inspired by!
It can act as a simple source of information and contact, be a good conversation starter and networking tool and more importantly be the first (and some times only) opportunity to make a good impression.
This is probably the most amazing business card video ever. It's yet another smashing viral ad from those clever muffins at Go Viral...so may I present to you the Master of Business Card throwing! I think I need to hire this guy for a day, to throw some HIRE ME business cards into the offices at BBH, Ogilvy and Fallon, see how that goes down!

Do you Virgin!?

"Heck yes I Virgin!" And where-ever possible when it comes to transport, and can say: I am a fan. Still I don't drink virgin coke & wasn't too impressed with TV & broadband customer service, but that beardy Branson (who has appeared in some of the ad's) and his Virgin transport marketing boffins have got it right. I hate to give in to advertising but glad I did when it comes to air travel. Rather than flying Kuwait Airways, the last two times I flew Virgin Atlantic, the 'inflight everythings' had an element of funky-see-through-blue-plastic-edgey-ness.

When I used to visit Birmingham every 2weeks with Virgin Trains, the carridges did smell, they were far too busy and I almost always had to give up my seat to someone else and stand for the entire journey and there was an absence of windows to stick your head out of BUT none of that matters - their advertising and marketing campaigns are just spot on! My trips up to Brum were similar to their 'Booty Train: Where do you want to be?' advert, where for about a year after graduating I made the trek up to see my long term loved one. Their Native American ad, directed at business types is quite amusing however their launch advert was seen on platforms, billboards, online and TV. The Return of the Train campaign re-launched train travel and set the standard for other rail providers.

With all this recent commotion with British Airways, Virgin have now proved to be the flag flyer for Britain. Their 25th celebration is a perfect piece of creative, followed up with faultless production and direction. 'Still Red Hot' was launched and was aimed at such a wide target audience. There were complaints about how the ad was insulting to women, which you are bound to get, but was dismissed by The Advertising Watchdog. It was created by London based creative ad agency RKCR, whose website is certainly worth visiting. There is now so much brand awareness and customer loyalty/retention through their quality of service and for what you get for your money as the CVP. (Customer Value Proposition).

I watch the Red Hot ad and BOOM! It is such a well executed ad: from the props, the costumes, the soundtrack, the lighting, the hidden messages and for the positive image it gives the brand - it really is advertising that works!