Design in the fishbowl

Missing the obvious

Like many other graphic designers around the world, I was rather excited to see the new UK coin designs come into circulation. A bold, unified design set that marks a slick departure from the ones before it. I was thrilled to see a previously unknown 26-year-old designer shot into the limelight for designing the one thing we all see and use every day - suddenly graphic design was in the newspapers, on TV, and people in the street were discussing the designs. People understood that even common things such as money could be designed in a striking way, and the D&AD awarded the young designer a coveted black pencil award for his work. Truly inspiring stuff.

There’s just one massive problem.

Whilst browsing a design-related forum - where, I can’t recall - someone pointed out a fact so obvious that it stopped me right there. I wondered how in the fresh hell I’d managed to miss THAT - never mind how the Royal Mint, other designers, the media, and major awards organisations had. It seems on the surface to be a pretty darn important omission, and I’d be interested to see what effect it will or could possibly have on users of the coinage.

The problem? There are no numerals on the coins to denote their value. Fifty pence is written just like that. There is no 50 - anyone who doesn’t read English well enough to decipher it has no idea at all what that coin is worth. And it’s no good using the size of the coin as a relative marker like some currencies can - the £1 coin is much smaller than the 50p although twice its value, and the 10p is larger than the £1.

I am a stickler for great design, and if something is missing a feature or two yet I like the design, I tend to forgive it. Hypocritical I know, for good design IS the consideration of all features, the success of usability and the appropriate aesthetics to support the product’s purpose. It is the graphic designer’s job to make the product communicate. I’m not sure the otherwise great design can forgive this omission.

For a national CURRENCY to not consider the impact of foreign visitors using it…is this a major usability fail? Something the Royal Mint has chosen to ignore? Let me know what you think - and if anyone knows any non-English speakers unfamiliar with the currency who could test its function.

JELLY not Jell-O..

I love this neat redesign** for America’s iconic ‘Jell-O’ brand - really cute, easily recognisable and colourful. Even if they do get the name wrong* ;)

http://skinnyships.com/index.php?/design/jello/

*It’s jelly in the UK, which the Americans use as the term for what we call jam. And they call jam ‘sidewalks’ and cross the road in elevators. Waaaah!!

**Apparently this is not an official redesign, but a student project. It’s a rather lovely one, so here’s hoping the people at Jell-O see it and adopt it? Please?

Live what you love

I’ve just treated myself to a lovely little letterpress print from Hijirik - although I managed to nab the very last yellow one (yay!) there are several other colours available. Cotton paper too - nice! An absolute bargain at a total of £12 including shipping from the US. Etsy is a fantastic resource for handcrafted beauties like this, with many more I intend to get my hands on.

I love the simplicity and slight irregularities of letterpress type, and I can’t wait to see this framed and on my wall with a few other favourite prints and photos. In any other form, the slight kerning lapse with the A-T would drive me to distraction, but in letterpress it kinda works, and I like its innocence in a way. Strange.

It’s also a very striking message. Live what you love. Nothing makes you happier!

Visit Hijirik’s shop at Etsy for more.

Paper type

Gorgeous handcrafted typographical illustrations with a character and depth you don’t get even in the most beautiful computer-based typography. Truly stunning - I’d love to have one of these pieces framed and on my wall!

http://www.artyulia.com/index.php/Illustration

Style is not just for Christmas

It’s a well known fact amongst beloved friends and family that I am somewhat of an odd creature - the Metallica & Megadeth-loving MENSA member with an addiction to Macs, video games and also Tiffany & Co jewellery. Odd moments involve me losing a beautiful silver cuff bracelet from said jewellers, at a Megadeth concert in Manchester. Yes, I wore my Tiffany bracelet to a Megadeth gig…I wonder how many times those words have ever been uttered? ;-)

So, how does such an addiction come about? I would say that my love of design does not just stretch to graphics, and indeed I’ve always said that a great designer - of any discipline - should take a strong interest in all the other forms, amongst many other things. An appreciation of architecture, nature, typography, history, sculpture, science and crafts (amongst many others) is integral to me, and I find myself drawn to objects and design which encompass these things and more. Quirky bracelets from sellers on Etsy, hand shaped pendants from a glassblower in the Highlands, I buy and love them all - my bank balance can attest to that ;-)

Enter Tiffany & Company:

Many Tiffany jewellery designs have grabbed my attention over the years; I prefer simple but striking pieces in white metals, and they have plenty. I’m lucky enough to count a few of theirs in my jewellery box, and they remain my favourites as they are always impeccably designed and look great with whatever I wear. Even a Megadeth t-shirt…! ;-)

The new ‘Notes’ collection is the most recent to catch my eye. I love the simple but elegant treatment of the typography, and the two simple band rings and circle pendant pictured above just call to me. I’m also a huge fan of the 1837 T&CO circle pendant (top right) which I’m certain I’ll treat myself to on my upcoming birthday. (Well…a girl has to treat herself too!)

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful” - William Morris

One of their most stylish pieces I’ve actually been trying to get my paws on for years! It keeps selling out in their stores, but I WILL have it eventually! My favourite of all favourites - the simple and stunningly elegant 1837 collar:

So, to sum up - I’ve been an extra good girl this year, Santa Claus!! ;-)