Gloucester Cathedral is an extraordinary space. 

Many are inspired by the art and architecture of this special place and much of their community engagement programme centres on sharing arts based activities that promote wellbeing, build skills and inspire learning. 

We’ve had the pleasure of working with Gloucester Cathedral to create a branding framework, look and feel and initial workbook, along with a wider range of resources designed to provide accessible, guided, creative activities for a varied range of interests and abilities, downloaded for free, from the Cathedral’s website.

All content for this initial Guide to Drawing was created by talented Artists Adam Davis. Adam is passionate about the positive impact of art on physical and mental health and has previously collaborated with Gloucester Cathedral to curate and display Ever-Present, an exhibition of artwork by talented Gloucester based graduates, and accompanying workshops in 2019.

During 2021 we hope to develop this branding framework for further initiatives and projects. Watch this space.

#CreativeCathedral

gloucestercathedral.org.uk

Craft Ales Candles represents a new start-up brand targeting the growing craft ale market and a gap in the market for candles for men.

The West Country founders wanted to produce a range of scented soy wax candles that appeal to men, with fragrances that are fun and different, tapping in to the creative naming and styling of modern craft ale beer; youthful with bags of personality, some might say “scandleous!”

The resulting brand explores playful language and incorporates the candle within the logotype (‘A’ letterform). Typography is supported with themed illustrations and a bright, quirky colour palette.

So, it would appear that everyone seems to have a lockdown project at the moment and for our Creative Director, Andy Hussey, it is no different. For many months, if not years, he’s had the idea for a range of Children’s books and this winter the idea, and off the back of “One Walk Wildlife” his vision became a reality.

Due to be published in February 2021, ‘No Deer Around Here’ is a book about nature (in particular Deer) coming closer to our homes. Children engaging with nature, exploring and spotting signs. The book has kindly been endorsed by The British Deer Society with a supporting testimonial:

“At a time when we all need to appreciate nature and the outdoors more than ever,  No Deer Around Here is not only a delightful story but will inspire children everywhere to look harder at the world around them.“
Charles Smith-Jones
Technical Adviser, The British Deer Society

But the story doesn’t stop there. Andy already has another story in the making (a riverside adventure) and has been approached by various organisations for potential future books, this led to Muddy Little Boots Publishing. This will be the parent company and publishing house, founded by Andy. A beacon for this initiative and a network of organisations, authors and illustrators. The publishing house will fill a void in the market for nature exploration and inclusivity and all members of the organisation will adhere to these values.

This is so exciting and we take our hat off to Andy for making his dream a reality. Where does he find the time?? Clearly we are not working him hard enough.

Visit the Muddy Little Boots Instagram page to keep up-to-date.

We are proud to announce a recent collaboration with @lookagainphotography. Over the last two weeks we have been creating ‘Re-frame Your Now ™’ – a FREE Mindful Photography Programme.

The programme uses a combination of mindfulness, photography and nature to help you and your household stay calm and connected and get creative – at home.

Are you anxious, fearful or feeling low about the coronavirus and all the uncertainty that comes with it? Would you like to improve your mental health and build resilience at this difficult time?

This FREE resource is here to help. If you represent an organisation or business and would like to offer this to your staff or service users, please contact Ruth.⠀

To receive your free PDF of the programme visit:
https://www.look-again.org/reframeyournow
⠀
Please note:
The programme is endorsed by the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester Cathedral, Arts and Health South West, and Create Gloucestershire, with support from the Laura Kinsella Foundation and in kind design by Lost & Found Creative.

Wow, what challenging times we are experiencing. Ever since Prime Minister, Boris Johnson announced lockdown messages on March 23, we were left thinking … What now? What next? How is this going to work?

The new measures asked us to only venture out for necessities and exercise, limiting walks to 1 hour a day (max), keeping a 2m distance from other people.

Venturing out on our first walk post lockdown we experienced a glorious Spring day and this really lifted the spirits. Blossom on the trees, birds flying high in blue skies and butterflies fluttering around. We had a new appreciation for our surroundings and how we were going to treasure our walks and freedom even more so now.

Returning to the studio, we went into “creative mode” – what could we do to help? How could families and communities come together? Following a short brainstorming session, One Walk Wildlife was spawned. A very simple concept and hashtag (#onewalkwildlife) – look, then look again! Appreciate what we have and our surroundings and share pictures with others by using the hashtag. Pictures can be plants, animals or whatever really. Just stuff you spot on your one walk a day. Hopefully this will lead to a beautiful album of positive imagery and when this is all over we can collate the images and do something with them. Perhaps a book, exhibition or set of prints?

Please support this concept and share your One Walk images using the hashtag #onewalkwildlife.

Stay safe. Stay well. Appreciate what you have and thank those who are sacrificing their own health to save others. #ThankYouNHS

Top tip from Mindfulness guru and friend of the studio, Ruth Davey from Look Again:
“If you can’t get out or live in the city, look around your home with a new perspective or take inspiration from books and online; what can you find to share that will life the spirits and inspire? Look, then look again.”

Infographics are fun, creative ways to visualize all types of information. By displaying information in colorful, graphic charts, designers are changing the way we view data. Whether its laying out a policy document on maternity leave or teaching the Dothraki language (one for the Game of Thrones fans), there are educational, informative charts for everyone.

Also known as pictographs, there are a huge variety of styles in the infographic world. Some rely on custom illustrations accompanied by facts, others set out their data visualization with timelines and colorful flowcharts. We look inside the mind of Kanye West through an illustrated portrait and graphic fonts just as easy as we learn washing habits around the globe with carefully laid out diagrams.

With cool designs and high impact, its no wonder that this form of visual media has exploded over the past few years and we’ve found ourselves designing them on a daily basis. Now, there are even websites and apps that help you make your own clever, cool infographic. Piktochart, Canva, and Venngage are just some sites that allow non-designers the possibility to get in on the action. Take a look but don’t forget the pros – bespoke can ensure they are fit for purpose and on brand.

For inspiration see My Modern Net‘s great feature:
30+ Creative Infographics to Keep Your Mind Active and Entertained