blog.strakt

Artmarkt is a web site that profiles artists including graphic designers, illustrators and photographers. The web site showcases artwork and invites users to purchase this work in various sizes as prints or canvases. The site aims to help promote emerging artists as well as offering an outlet for established artists.

Take a look… www.artmarkt.net

by Chris Keenan

by Carlie Ness

by Kate Beatty

by Max Barrett

by Patrick Lawrence

by Daniel Cullen

This work by artist Felice Varini has no doubt been knocking around blogs for a while now but I only came across it for the first time today, and I think you’ll agree with me that it is AMAZING!!
http://www.varini.org

I remember looking at ASCII art when I was knee high to a grasshopper and thinking back then what an amazing but laborious task it must be to create them. This takes it to a whole new level, and instead of looking crude on a low bit depth screen, actually looks sophisticated; the perfect embodiment of ‘Geek Chic’ !

“There’s absolutely no shortage of ways to geek up the inside of your domicile, but few creations posses the perfect balance of class and geekiness like the ASCII Curtains. Reportedly hand-crafted by designer / artist / undiscovered genius Nieke Sybrandy, these nerdalicious curtains feature a light gray tree motif that is compiled entirely from code.” - Quote from Engadget

Via: Freshome

Birmingham was host to CABEs (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) Urban Design Summer School in 2007.

We produced the yearbook… (more pics/info here)

“Forget about colour swatches, colour swatch mugs are the way forward. A quick and easy way to brighten the kitchen or the office.”

By W2 sold at Urban Outfitters.

£10 for a pretty bog-standard mug, but it sure screams ‘esoteric design geek-chic’ when suggestively placed on your coffee table.

The Birmingham Institute of Art and Design at Gosta Green had the private view for their end of year show last Wednesday. The particular faculty that was of most interest to us was the School of Architecture. We developed their yearbook, which was a great pleasure, and while developing content gave us a chance to look closely at the high standard of work that came out of the School this year.

If you get chance, take a look at the 150th issue of Grafik magazine this month. Each cover has been screen-printed making no two covers the same.  In the same vein, the issue details case studies of unique printing & packaging processes - some of which are nothing short of spectacular in both idea and execution.

We have just uploaded our brand new site. Hope you all like it, any feedback is warmly accepted… even the bad stuff… we can take it! www.substrakt.co.uk

Dear Chris, Michelle and Stas,Well done for submitting your entry and coming second place!

On Monday, 5 distinguished jurors viewed the entries; Martin Field (ULI), Marc Reeves (Birmingham Post), Mary Martin (Pro-Vice Chancellor, UCE), Kenny Brown (Turley Associates) and Nicola Hopwood (Glenn Howells Architects). I attach their comments below.

Martin Field, who will be co-ordinating the publicity suggested a celebratory reception to congratulate you all, and an opportunity for you to explain your scheme to the audience. The date, time and venue will be confirmed but it will be around the last week of March. Moreover, Terry Grimley, arts and culture columnist for the Birmingham Post, will interview you for a piece he is writing on the competition and the Wholesale Market site.

Well done for your achievement. Here are the judge’s comments:

Strengths:

• Good integration of archaeological site with public park
• Broad range of uses
• Good use of water and varied grain with the finer grain emulating the historical patterns
• Similarly, block structure follows historic grain
• powerful masterplan image
• masterplan models surrounding area
• Phasing achievable

Weaknesses:

• Judges led to believe that new development sunk below street level and would be detrimental to connectivity
• 3 blocks on ridge felt to be inappropriate in height and location
• The creative hub on wrong side of development, not addressing Digbeth Media Zone
• Parts of the masterplan work better than other parts, such as the finer grain is commendable, but three long buildings on the block further north creates unusual geometry
• Overall, masterplan doesn’t come together as a ‘piece of city’
• No link to the church
• No environmental consideration

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