So Underpaid

Up-coming work

2011-07-07T22:28:00.002+01:00

I've been working on some Freelance projects recently one of which is called Live@Troon music festival in...Troon yep! I'm enjoying the project so far and almost finished I think will be good to get it done its quite a big print run aswell, not too chuffed about some elements of the design that I have no control over but I like working on the poster and designing for the music festival here's a little look before I finish at the style.

Business Cards

2011-06-18T02:04:00.000+01:00

This is my new b-cards design

New Identity

2011-06-17T23:26:00.002+01:00

Oh i've also been working on my new identity hope you like it, I prefer it to my previous one, I think this is the last change finally got it the way i like it. :)

Illustration Experiments

2011-06-17T23:20:00.002+01:00

I've been bored lately but very motivated to draw, so i've beem experimenting with different ideas on paper and on computer, haven't scanned in my paper ones but heres some of my comp ideas.

Experimental Photoshop

2011-06-08T15:57:00.001+01:00

I've been playing with photoshop all day making images using images I already have from previous projects and this is what i've made today, it was quite fun and I actually quite like them :)

New Website

2011-05-28T14:06:00.001+01:00

So I finally got my new website online...It's not exactly the way i had planned but it's quite similar so that will do nicely for now, and i'm quite happy with it. :)

www.stephenkay.co.nr

Working away

2011-05-19T12:17:00.002+01:00

Again, i abandoned my blog! I have been working on stuff just not posting but i'm currently working on my new website i'd like to share but i dont have a clue how to build what i'm designing help! :P

Editorial Spreads

2011-04-03T19:01:00.004+01:00

Been working on some more editorial pieces using my own work.

Personal Projects

2011-04-02T15:29:00.007+01:00

Hi all, its been a while, I know. I've been neglecting this blog for some time but thought i should start doing some personal projects again and bring my blog back to life, so to kick this off, i'll be working on my editorial skills, trying to brush up a little and have fun.

An inspiration of mine from years back Irene Jacobs, I first read about her in Computer Arts magazine in 2007 I think. So I thought a good way to incorporate a designer that I love and editorial would be to create a mock up of "Computer Arts Book of Inspiration Volume III" so i've done just that working on grids & layouts for a Profile in the magazine for Irene Jacobs.

So these images are the splash page and opening profile page, then the turn on to some information about Jacobs and more images. (The body copy is placeholder text).

iPhone retro :))

2010-08-23T12:57:00.003+01:00

Got the iPhone 4 and the downloaded the hipstamatic app makes the pics look amazing get to switch the lense and flash and film to create loads of different styles of photograph and it's digital which is awesome !!!

Think Creative DAY 4

2010-08-20T20:26:00.002+01:00

It was yesterday I was at Think Creative – I forgot to post when I got in.

Today was fun I had a meeting with the client for the Alcohol Booklet for North Ayrshire Council which was good there was some minor changes mostly in the grammer or wording which they sent but had decided didnt sound to good e.g. 'If you're out of your face' to 'If you're really drunk' lol they felt the first was giving a message they didnt want.

So after the meeting I finished the booklet which is now done! and waiting to print :D.

Then I done some design for Hibs Football Club just a few banners for their website to promote weddings in the stadium and private functions can be held there too, but that was something a little different and interesting.

Oh i've also finished the logo for Irvine Housing well the clients hasnt seen it yet so hopefully they will like it :)

Think Creative DAY3

2010-08-11T21:37:00.005+01:00

Hey today was my third day at the studio it was fun, I got good news that the booklet I had pitched was chosen by the clients to go ahead with only minor changes which is really good they said they usually get a good ammount of changes from the client, so that was a good start.

Now i'm finishing this booklet which i think it is done now, and i'm still working on the logo from before but there is no deadline for the logo as the client has just requested a re-vamp and isn't in much of a hurry.

Above are the things i've been working on, I'm looking forward to going down again, don't know when though, hopefully soon.

Think Creative DAY2

2010-08-06T21:36:00.002+01:00

Hi, i'm updating with each day that I go to the studio since they are just whenever I can make it down there is a little gap since the last post but since then i had been working from home on the booklet for the North Ayrshire City Council and i've designed the majority of the booklet for a pitch to show the style throughout the book, so hopefully the commissioner will like it and I will get a green light to finish the book and correct anything to make it perfect for print.

But today I was working on a Logo for Irvine Housing, they want to keep it quite neutral to appeal to the wide market they have, so i just started and got working on it for about 3hours but it's not comin along that great at the moment, it's a start though.

Think Creative DAY1

2010-07-29T22:54:00.002+01:00

Hey, after getting lost 3 times on the way to Irvine today, I finally arrived at the studio.

It was good I really enjoyed being there around other designers and I got a project for the North Ayrshire City Council to do which are the images posted its an A5 booklet to make underage drinkers aware of the consequences of drinking, so its aimed towards 13-17.

I wont be in again until next week its sort of a part time placement since i have my part time job too, but i'm hoping to get to go down as much as I can, and as far as I know they would be quite ok with that.

I also got to see some of Cameron's work who is the creative director of Think Creative the stuff is so good, looking forward to working more with him.

Think Creative

2010-07-27T22:32:00.004+01:00

Hey not updated in a while thought i would keep ppl up to date who want to know, I have a placement :) in a design studio called Think Creative in Irvine so i'm quite excited and looking forward to working in the industry, as I'm a little poor right now it will only be 2 days a week but is ongoing for i'm not sure how long, it hasn't been discussed yet.

I start on Thursday and will be there on Friday, so i'll post how my first two days are after that!

the website is http://www.thinkcreativedesign.com/ but at the moment its under construction.

Nothing to do

2010-07-12T17:17:00.001+01:00

I've been so bored I havent updated in a while even although it seems all ive been doing is design i havent had anything ive wanted to share right now, but i took this picture of the sky the other night it was really nice so i wanted to put this on here :)

YAY done!

2010-05-19T22:20:00.003+01:00

Finally done all my projects printed and photographed now all i'm waiting for is the presentation, one essay to do and thats me done! FOREVER!

www.stephenkay.co.nr

8 Down 1 to go

2010-05-15T17:10:00.015+01:00

I've now finished 8 projects for my Major i'm quite pleased with all of them i think.

Art Direction

this is quite a large project I really enjoyed doing the shoot then editorial from it, thank you Nikki-Marie Turner, Samio Olawu & Anna Maria Lachowska

Empyreal House Hotel

Corporate Identity for a made up hotel done a fair amount of work for this project which i am also happy with done a set of guidelines too, which i always enjoy :P

Larch Cottage Nurseries

Another Identity for Nurseries, Restaurant and Art Gallery that had to tie in together in some way, this was good i enjoyed making the mark and experimenting with different typographic styles with this project.

Inverkip Hotel

This is for another Hotel obviously by the name this one is a live brief i didnt intend to do 2 identities for hotels this one just came up i'm not sure whats happening with it yet but ive done a website too not the whole lot but just a little preview.

Red Dot Site

This is a live project for a friend no more details right now :)

Squeeze

This is a packaging project for Robinsons 100% fruit juice its not live but i thought it would be fun, aimed towards kids as the fruit shoot alternative because fruit shoot is diluted in the bottle.

Boutique Chic

This is a live brief for a clothing shop in Greenock where i'm from i had to design a logo and stationary then do promotional material I've done and Art Direction to promote the shop. Thanks to Kerry Skilling, Nikki-Marie Turner & Lianne Donkersly

Dissertation Editorial

This is my editorial for my dissertation it would be published and given out as a supplement in the Guardian newspaper as a series of six booklets.

Original Fairytales

Grimm borthers fairytales to make a collectors edition, almost done printing on tuesday so i'll post when i get pics :)

www.stephenkay.co.nr

The observer

2010-05-06T16:27:00.002+01:00

These are my series of books for the observer its just a supplement that would be issued once a week with the observer which is a Sunday newspaper...i think.

this is the set of six covers the retail&MARKETING booklet is my dissertation its been sent away and getting printed hopefully and bound right now!!! :)

Original Fairytales – Brothers Grimm

2010-05-03T14:19:00.007+01:00

I'm working on a re-design of the Brother's Grimm fairytales collectors edition of 200 stories, which will be split into 4 volumes 50 stories per book. I'm not sure whether they will be a set or separate yet although the look same style will be applied to each with small changes depending on volume.

www.stephenkay.co.nr

Boutique Chic Art Direction

2010-04-30T18:16:00.003+01:00

This is for a fashion clothing shop back home for the new spring/summer clothes'10 heres a few pics :)

www.stephenkay.co.nr

Which one?

2010-04-29T20:38:00.001+01:00

Hi ppl i really want to get this logo done right now so i can move on so which one do you guys think is the best please say why if you know, or if one just looks better to you. please comment :)

Dissertation Re-visit

2010-04-28T03:00:00.004+01:00

Hey i've been puuuure moaning for ages that i'm not designing my dissertation but i eventually buckled and decided to so here's a little preview of what ive done so far :)

I'm designing it as an insert that would go in the Observer/Guardian of a series of marketing books this one would be on retail there will be 6 books, but i'm only gonna make a full one and mock up other covers of the series still thinking about the cover not sure what to do with it yet, im thinking simple.

Empyreal Reception Desk

2010-04-26T22:38:00.004+01:00

Been working on Empyreal tonight its done really but i still need to apply the logos to some things so here is the reception at the hotel where the logo would be.

Magazine Photographs

2010-04-22T22:20:00.002+01:00

These are some of the images of my final printed magazine the rest are on my site :)

www.stephenkay.co.nr

SLR/DIANA+

2010-04-22T17:00:00.001+01:00

I got this adaptor to attach to my Canon Eos which makes my camera able to use Diana+ lenses so i was messing around today with the telephoto lens heres some of the pics i like the colours :)

Inverkip Stationary

2010-04-22T00:46:00.001+01:00

Inverkip Website :)

2010-04-22T00:32:00.001+01:00

I'm not sure

2010-04-19T21:00:00.001+01:00

Hey i don't know whether its best to use the simplified logo for all 3 logos with a colour change or use 3 different more realistic logos for them opinions? :)

Final Logo?

2010-04-18T18:54:00.003+01:00

I think im leaning towards these logos but im still not sure about the mark i'm gonna keep working on it tonight and decide by tomorrow afternoon then start workin on stationary :)

If anyone thinks there is something that could be better or any suggestions please let me know

ty.

More logo ideas

2010-04-17T17:40:00.003+01:00

I think i like the centred logo with the mark above it so im just playing around with that one :)

Logos

2010-04-15T20:39:00.002+01:00

Larch Cottage

2010-04-15T13:24:00.003+01:00

Hey i haven't updated in a few weeks mainly because i haven't been working much because it was easter so not that much to show but i started the Larch Cottage Identity yesterday so i'm working on that now, i'm quite enjoying it here are a few of the logo set ideas i have, let me know what you think. I'm still working on other marks.

Justin Maller

2010-03-24T19:01:00.003Z

Hey guys just came across some amazing work by an Art Director/ Illustrator Justin Maller

the work he's done is so cool and inspirational so i thought i would share it :) this is a very small selection it was really hard to pick from the wide range of work he has check it out the link is below :)

http://www.superlover.com.au/

Freak

2010-03-21T23:00:00.013Z

Final Magazine.

Empyreal website

2010-03-21T17:43:00.000Z

Website for the hotel

Final Packaging Front

2010-03-20T17:30:00.000Z

These are my final illustrations for the kids packaging im thinking :)

A new cover

2010-03-18T19:53:00.005Z

I done a new cover that i think fits in better with the rest of the Spreads and has a bit more depth

First Set of Spreads

2010-03-18T15:35:00.003Z

I've just been messing around with the pictures trying to make an interesting story this is just a first set. No where near finished but i think its a good starting point :)

Spreads

2010-03-17T23:46:00.002Z

Working on the inside of the magazine tonight just one of the many spreads done tonight i think is quite interesting looking :)

New Type ideas

2010-03-16T22:33:00.002Z

I don't know if this should be done with the type but ive just been having fun and doing stuff that i wouldn't usually since thats basically the point/theme to my art direction so im trying something different.

Slowly but surely there is progress here

Cover With type

2010-03-15T17:05:00.006Z

Trying out type on the cover Dazed and Confused use a typeface called Dazedface which i dont have so i've been trying different things that resemble it or would work instead :)

Squeeze mock ups

2010-03-15T11:10:00.003Z

I am really enjoying this Squeeze project now hopefully it will be done by the end of the week along with the corporate id.

Dazed&Confused (Art Direction)

2010-03-14T23:27:00.006Z

I'm working on the theatrical circus art direction for D&C atm still but finally got pictures today photoshoot at WEST WALLS THEATRE in Carlsile its a cool place for the shoot very atmospheric, really enjoyed it, thanks to.

West Walls Theatre

Anna Maria Lachoska (Photographer)

Nikki Marie Turner (Model)

Samio Olawu (Model)

Brian Scroggie (Lighting Assistant)

These are just mock up covers trying out the photos :) still dont have copy for the cover yet, that reminds me if anyone has Dazedface Typeface or a similar Typeface please let me know :)

Comments PLS

Face Paint Practice

2010-03-13T17:37:00.001Z

Trying out facepaint for the Art Direction TY Amanda :)

Robinsons Adjustment

2010-03-12T21:11:00.000Z

Juice Cartons changes

POLAROID !!!!

2010-03-09T22:08:00.002Z

I got one of these old polaroid camera's found in a cupboard does anyone know where i can get polaroid 600 film cheap-ish? :)

Logo Change

2010-03-08T15:43:00.002Z

I decided i didnt like the red in it and it looks nicer with the white shape instead

Empyreal Re-do

2010-03-08T01:34:00.004Z

Ok so here the next version i do prefer this version the logo would be gold foil embossed when printed so any gold lines and the mark arent exactly how they would appear in real print.

So after taking on board helpful advice i have came up with this i think i can use Sans Serif and still make it look elegant?

Whats the verdict on these?

Corporate ID Stationary

2010-03-07T22:20:00.004Z

Letterhead, Compliments Slip and Envelope for the hotel.

I'm not sure if its wrong for the body copy on the letter head to be in this typeface used but i wanted to give a classical elegant feel to the hotel hope you like it please let me know what you think of it there is any problems you notice.

Squeeeeeze :)

2010-03-04T22:23:00.002Z

Packaging information and typography re-done idk if the typography is correct – Good typography? but it makes sense to the packaging project i am doing squeezing the letters together. Also showing 125ml & 200ml

Its a fine fine day :)

2010-03-04T11:52:00.004Z

Went a walk with the Camera and got snap happy heres just a few :)

Robinsons – SQUEEZE KIDS

2010-03-03T23:46:00.002Z

These are cartons for kids :)

Empyreal

2010-03-03T17:06:00.000Z

Logos work in progress

New Approach to Fruit juice :)

2010-03-02T17:37:00.006Z

Trying a different idea for the fruit juice i liked the old one but it was pretty boring so i'm trying something new

Packaging W.I.P

2010-03-01T17:29:00.003Z

First proper mock up for the Robinsons, not putting any of the other pics on coz they looks pretty rubbish it was just a quick pic, to keep updating the blog :)

ISTD – Rapture

2010-03-01T12:14:00.003Z

Photographed the ISTD brief guidelines for the channel Rapture. :)

More Photos on website www.stephenkay.co.nr

Corporate Identity

2010-02-26T22:20:00.007Z

Working on a corporate identity for a hotel called Empyreal House Hotel, its a made up brief just another one for the major :)

Robinsons

2010-02-25T19:57:00.003Z

Time to get this packaging brief finished been working on too many different ones that i havent been able to get one done yet :( so im just gonna continue with the packaging until its done now. :)

I don't think the pineapple colours work as well as the others still sorting that

Art Direction

2010-02-23T20:37:00.001Z

New Stuff for the Art Direction :)

Pancake Day

2010-02-17T14:02:00.002Z

I know im a day late but we just took the pics last night :) had a happy pancake day.

They don't look great but they tasted gooood :)

New Website

2010-02-14T19:56:00.003Z

Been workin on a new website still need to upgrade so theres no adverts from the website that i built it on :)

http://www.stephenkay.co.nr/

2010-02-14T19:53:00.001Z

Got a new website i'm gonna upgrade so theres no adverts but i cant afford it right now :(

http://ping.fm/ycY0w

Ramblers

2010-02-11T01:18:00.005Z

Doing the Ramblers annual report too just jumped on screen for a quick try out i know theres some type design mistakes and stuff but i'm just messing around with ideas just now :)

Robinsons Squeeze :)

2010-02-10T14:39:00.001Z

Still working on the packaging project the dissertation has slowed me down a little :( heres the latest.

Kick his ass!

2010-02-10T01:42:00.000Z

I got a new Camera for my birthday Its so awesome!

2010-02-09T17:38:00.002Z

It was such a nice day, cold but sunny, with snow :)

2010-02-03T02:26:00.004Z

The 2 above are today the 2 below were taken in june but look at the skies theres not even any clouds in the ones for today :) Things are looking up!!

It was such a nice day, cold but sunny, with snow :) and my birthday which makes is all even nicer :) so i thought i would post about it i took a few pictures while driving home today from Carlisle to Greenock

♥ From Sony Ericsson

2010-02-02T03:13:00.002Z

2010-02-01T23:28:00.001Z

32 Mins :)

2010-01-30T22:11:00.001Z

I'm updating all my network sites at the same time on Ping.fm :)

Packaging

2010-01-30T21:34:00.002Z

Robinsons 100% Juice– This brief was made up by me its to create a new range of fruit juice for Robinsons thats 100% just juice not squash like most of the other juices they already have.

This is my first on screen idea but just a quick thing flung together still working on it, i'm gonna get my own images too these are found just to see how the idea will work.

Art Direction

2010-01-27T19:36:00.002Z

I'm working on another art direction at the moment a theme–Fashion Circus, its the dark side of the fashion model world circus theme, dark, sexy, scary, i'm still defining the theme to put it in one word but its quite theatrical, i'm looking for 2-5 models.

Stuart Kolakovic

2010-01-25T21:35:00.003Z

This is Stuart Kolakovic a very talented illustrator i came across, if you follow my blog you may remember i posted about an Adam Kolakovic–Yes they're brothers what a talented family, Stuart by the look of his work focuses mainly on illustration which i think is great and i want these badges above I love the colours he uses and the texture in the illustration looks great.

Impressed? check out the rest of his work at:

http://www.stuartkolakovic.co.uk/

Major Stress!!

2010-01-20T22:44:00.003Z

The second module is over. YAY!

Now on to the major i dont have a clue what briefs i want to do yet, i hope to do 2 Art Directions and some Packaging and Corporate Identity maybe try an illustration again–that was fun, but i'm looking through the briefs on the uni website and i don't really want to do any of them I've got 9 so far but thats just the best out of a bad bunch, i'm going to write 2 but i'm unsure which to do first and how long to give myself for each project, man this is stressful, not to mention the dissertation has only 4 weeks until deadline(roughly) :( and then thinking about work placements and then finally a job at the end (hopefully) who knows how long i will have to wait before i even get a job. When i come home do i want to stay at home for a while or get my own place?

So much things to think about not enough brain power left, as much as i love uni and graphic design I'm almost out of steam and ready to slow down i've been working like crazy over the last five months and i want a break, (I know there was Christmas) but we still had to think about all the work over that holiday.

Roll on July!
(then again maybe not)

Skater's do Tetris :)

2010-01-11T22:29:00.003Z

This video is so cool! had to post it!

Final book covers

2010-01-07T23:03:00.001Z

Ok here are the final book covers, i am only moking up 3 of them for hand in but im not sure which ones yet.

Rapture Guidelines Final

2010-01-06T22:14:00.005Z

I think i'm going to use these as the final Guidelines, let me know if you spot anything that doesnt look right or you think lets it down :)

Book Jackets Final?

2010-01-04T01:53:00.004Z

I'm thinking about using these jackets as my finals i think they show enough interest in the front covers and through out the other panels of the book, look like a set, but not too similar like the previous covers still got time though so no doubt i'll change them again haha!

Book Jackets

2010-01-02T18:35:00.003Z

Back to the books again after christmas, ive been trying different ways of making my book jackets look more visually interesting on the front cover but im not sure about anything that im doing dont know if i like it so here are a few different variations of the book Love & Mr. Lewisham, opinions welcome :) I've tried it so many different ways that i dont know if im making it better or worse :( anyway please let me know what u think, :)

Rapture City Promo

2009-12-20T22:08:00.004Z

These Billboard ad's would be to advertise the areas where Rapture HQ's are they would be part of the campaign to attract people to the channel, the point of the billboard is i'm using the skyline of the cities to show how rapture is brining this spectacular thing to you and how you wouldnt want to miss it– still working on them though i don't really know where they fit in, in the project yet im still messing around just chilling its Christmas in 4 days :)

Books again

2009-12-14T00:03:00.003Z

Ok i think i prefer these more, actually i know i do it just worries me that the red one looks a little liike a stop sign :( so with or without the line?

Books

2009-12-13T23:50:00.003Z

Ok i have a set that im thinking keeps a consistency and also it a little different i think...i like...them?

I'm so unsure!!!

2009-12-12T23:52:00.003Z

I don't really know what im doing with the book covers anymore i have too many ideas for the composition of the cover im not sure what to do Help pleeeeeeez!!

The first set are exactly the same position with different colour and text

The second set are different each time you see the book the circle will go off the page in a different way but im not sure about the idea :(

The reason for the second idea is to give a bit more of something in the front cover to catch people and make them interested after someone said to me they thought the front cover's weren't very engaging, i'm quite worried about this project now i dont want my books to look like a textbook and i think thats the way its heading...

The dream car!

2009-12-12T18:31:00.007Z

This is the car i want sooo bad more than any other car in the world :)

Chevrolet – Camaro

Rapture's A callin'

2009-12-11T21:56:00.003Z

I had the sudden urge to do some work on the TV channel again hope u's like :) I've been trying out different ways of advertising the channel.

Hahaha Christmas gift? !!!

2009-12-10T14:33:00.002Z

LOL obviously when you get emails from random companies selling you stuff they really dont know who they are dealing with because peugot think that someone can afford to buy me a new car for christmas :)

Drop a hint?...I'm not that subtle

2009-12-10T02:19:00.004Z

Christmas coming soon and heres some of the gifts i would like from santa ;)

The Drop Crotch jeans are a little ott but i think they're the way forward & i really like them!!! :)

Oversized everything is cool!

P.S. I included sizes just incase you didn't know ;)

Design – Unrelated Topic :)

2009-12-10T00:04:00.004Z

I've been posting alot about my work and other design work and im thinking my blog is getting quite boring and repetitive but i have something different to blog about right now i want a set of headphones for my i-pod and as its coming up to christmas what better time to look maybe i can get a present out of them :) i pure love these but cant choose a colour... dilemma :)

Book Jackets (Work In Progress)

2009-12-08T18:34:00.003Z

Book Jackets for the D&AD brief H.G. Wells – Work in progress but i feel that i am getting somewhre now :)

And the work continues...

2009-12-07T22:00:00.005Z

It's like non-stop its driving me mad a little, as much as im enjoying design and this course you just dont get a break, this brief has by far been the hardest for me to get into but here are some of my first ideas on screen... still work in progress i think they look too old with the texture in the background but im working on it...

Final Stuff Finally :)

2009-12-02T00:05:00.003Z

Rapture Billboards

2009-11-30T23:57:00.001Z

Rapture Advertising

2009-11-30T22:43:00.001Z

This would be a billboard poster maybe? :)

Rapture optical

2009-11-28T23:24:00.002Z

Very poor attempt to make a short animation for TV channel.

Final Guidelines – Maybe...?

2009-11-28T22:34:00.005Z

Final Business Cards

2009-11-28T15:13:00.002Z

Hey so i decided to go with the logos below thanks for the comments :) I like them alot now i feel quite confident about using them.

Rapture Final Final Logos!

2009-11-27T19:18:00.001Z

Final logo set just gonna work a little on the top one i dont think it fits in with the rest of them :D

Rapture Guidelines

2009-11-27T03:21:00.006Z

These are my trial set of guidelines for rapture print tomorrow and see whats wrong with them :)

Business Cards – Rapture

2009-11-24T01:36:00.002Z

The 4 business cards :)