Yum

I got given a yummy cake by AOL today, a clever strategy from integrated agency archibald ingall stretton...

"AOL UK invites media agencies to join in 25^th birthday celebrations with free birthday cakes across London

Leading internet giant AOL is asking media agencies to help celebrate its 25^th birthday today by offering free cakes in a selection of coffee shops across the capital.

Coffee shops have been chosen based on their proximity to top media companies, such as Konditor & Cook on Shaftesbury Ave and Neals Corner in Covent Garden, who have been specifically asked to help join in the celebrations. AOL has paid for the entire selection of cakes in certain shops, and, when chosen, each will be handed over with an AOL birthday napkin. The napkin highlights that 2010 will be a year of change and innovation for the brand.

The birthday cake activity kicks off a rolling campaign that will gather momentum over the year as AOL enters the second phase of its plan to greatly improve the online consumer experience and scale its advertising systems. Integrated agency archibald ingall stretton... has been appointed to work with AOL on this and upcoming campaigns, marking the first time the two companies have worked together.

Kate Burns, head of AOL in the UK and Europe, said: “To mark our 25^th year the cakes are on us! We’re keen for media agencies in particular to share in our celebrations, which is why we’re ensuring they get a free birthday treat in their local coffee shop. The last 25 years have been a time of tremendous growth and change, and we’re now looking ahead to the next 25 and beyond. Look out for exciting AOL developments over the coming year.”

Geoff Gower, digital creative director at archibald ingall stretton…, added: “archibald ingall stretton… is incredibly excited to be working with AOL on this project. The birthday activity is a brilliant and fun way to kick start our relationship. The next few months should see us continuing to help build momentum for this awe-inspiring brand, and delivering some really great creative along the way.”"

from: http://www.marketinguk.co.uk/Promotions-Incentives/To-mark-our-25th-year-the-cakes-are-on-us.asp

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow is hand in day and will be last day at university, EVER! I'm really pleased to finish uni with this project as my final hand in, as it has been enjoyable and I have worked very hard to achieve exactly what I want. I also think it is quite ironic that this will be the end of my challenge but hopefully not the end of this project. I hope that I can extend the project after the hand in and work towards achieving its full potential.

Creekside Printers

I have had a really stress free experience in printing my work, the guys at Creekside Printers have been absolutely brilliant and put up with me, fussy as i am. I think they have rebound the book three times now. But they got it all done in a very short space of time and have been really friendly and helpful (and cheap).

Funding

I have made my book as professional as possible with the finance and material that I have had acess to. I would have liked to print a hardcopy book, but the printers said it would set me back £180, I do not have that kind of money! But I am really happy with what I have acheived and in my bias opinion the book looks good, I think the design is the most important aspect.

I have contacted Brighton and Hove council to discuss my project to see if they could provide funding to extend the project or consider an exhibition. I have spoken to someone who said they would be interested in looking at what I have so far, I am awaiting confirmation to come in and speak to someone. this would be a really positive way to end this part of the journey, plus it is taking me a step closer to getting published!

Stephen Lawrence exhibit

I have thought a lot about how I would like to present my work in the exhibition, which is at the Stephen Lawrence Gallery on the Greenwich Campus, It starts on the 19th May and will finish on the 22nd May (just in case you want to come). I will have my book at the exhibition on a table, I have made a spiral bound book so it can lay flat. I would also like to display some of my work on the wall, there is limited space in the gallery so I am limited to 4 prints. This will work quite well as the grouping of my pictures is split into 4 so I can pick my favourites from each. I will also get some cards printed that have the URL of this blog, there will be a computer at the exhibit so people can view the research that goes with my book and images.

in design...

I forgot how much I enjoyed using adobe in design, I have started designing my book and have sadly, got a real buzz out of deciding on colurs, fonts and styles. I've enjoyed it so much I think I would like to pursue something of this nature in the future, something to consider anyway.

edit edit edit

I have been very strict with myself today and have nearly completed all the editing of my photos, It is great that I have got this done as I have so much other stuff to focus on. With most of my photos I increased the 'highlights' and increased the definition, I think this has given the sense of a still portrait as a photo, the photos were captured as a still shot and I think its important to recognise that it is a single moment captured. I haven't quite picked out my favourite photos to be used in the book, this has been the hardest part, I like more than one for most of my subjects but I have made an attempt at cutting them down.

The above screen print (a sneak preview of an image) is a photo that I had a lot of trouble with as I had to edit out another person in the shot, because of the context and the fact that he was training I couldn't ask the other people to move out of the shot, I have managed to completely remove the other person from the image after many hours of 'clone stamping'.

Gus

A friend of mine is facing the biggest challenge of his life, he is sadly extremely ill in Thailand in intensive care, not able to breathe for himself. It still isn't known what is wrong with him. The story featured in the local and national news, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/8654175.stm. The challenge extends to his friends and family who are trying really hard to stay positive. It is amazing to see how people come together in a crisis and how much people want to help. Sending all my love to Gus, his girlfriend Nat and all of his family.

Paul Floyd Blake

I came across this photographer a while back and admittedly completely forgot he existed. That said, his work is something that should be remembered. I am particularly interested in his 'Young Olympians' collection. It is a set of photographs of the young people who are set to be involved in the 2012 Olympics. If that isn't a challenge I don't know what is. These young adults are going to be training for four years to achieve their goals that I think is remarkable. Their lives will be focused around their sport.

The images are really strong and are set in the sporting environment, this follows the theme of my project and how the portraits will reflect the location and personality of each person. Though taking it into consideration that my subjects lives aren't necessarily depicted by their challenges. I would expect Blake's Olympian subjects are quite the opposite and these sporting environments take up a huge proportion of their lives.

coincidence

Today I read my horoscope, like I always do even though I don't really believe in them. BUT today was different, it was quite strange particularly as this project has been playing on my mind so much. see for yourself-

Firstly note the 'challenging' aspect of my passion, and the reference to design and photography. When you think about all the horoscopes that have been wrong the probability of getting a horoscope that relates to you must be quite slim, but this is really quite specific and mentions three aspects of the project clear as day. I may be getting too wrapped up in this project but really...coincidence I think not.

multitasking

This week there has been about 101 things to do, I have had a number of deadlines whilst still trying to get on with the project. I think I have been fairly successful and have really tried to enjoy the stress and pressure as much as possible as after all these days will soon be forgotten. I'm not sure its working, I have never figured out whether I enjoy the pressure or not, I think in some strange way I kind of do. The project has been a big pressure but has been focusing my mind and teaching me. Who knows I may even miss the learning.

final photos

I had a great weekend and got all the shots I needed down in Brighton. There was a moment of panic when I didn't have enough people on the Sunday but I found some in the end and felt very relieved. I had difficultly with a few people this weekend and I encountered a number of people who weren't as keen to have their photograph taken as I had hoped. I got there in the end and met some very intriguing people.

I'm looking forward to editing all the photos and seeing how they all look together. Now I'm making a book I need to ensure they all look great together on the page. I am much closer to the end and feeling fairly confident, not sure how long this will last though.