Merry Xmas one and all...

This year's Xmas card from Mad Keen.

Typotheque 1999 - 2009 booklet arrived in the post today. Wonderful.

Project updates

It's been a while since I blogged. But it's not for wanting, I assure you.

The last few months have been very busy. And, as the homepage of my site would suggest, there's going be an update of work coming very soon. But perhaps, not this side of Christmas.

I love working on identity work and there's quite a few on the go at the moment. A ground-breaking estate agency in Mayfair (my words, not theirs), a Kingston-based holding company, an interior design & construction consultancy in Hampton Court and a personal trainer in Baker Street. I'm also working on a couple of websites and, of course, the annual Christmas project, which I'll be sending out in the next week or so.

So, and I say it to the four or so people following this blog, keep your eyes peeled. There'll be some new work coming soon!

26 Treasures

'26 Treasures' is a new project from writers group, 26.

Over the next month, and along with a selection of fellow writers from 26, I'll be selecting a single item from one of the vast and wonderful collections at the V&A museum, London.

I'll then write a poem, a story or whatever feels right in bringing my chosen piece to life. So, it's my view on the item. In just 62 words - no more, no less.

It's a wonderful project and I already have an idea as to what I'll write about. One of the amazing, Sixteenth Century, chintz fabric dresses from the South Asia room, perhaps. But, we'll see. That's just what caught my eye when I was at the V&A earlier this year.

Watch this space folks!

Interview by Mat Dolphin

The boys at Mat Dolphin recently asked me to take part in their 10 questions blog series which, of course, I was delighted to do. You can read the blog article on their site, here.

I first came across Mat Dolphin, an independent design agency based in London, having seen them on Twitter. I really liked their website, which was packed full of work pieces but also playful ideas and blog posts. Their 'One plain, One fancy' idea is fab. As are their inspiring and, at times, distracting, Tweets. (Distracting because you just have to read them!).

So, if you're part of the Twitterati then you need to follow @MatDolphin.

Typography with a twist

Earlier this week I ventured to Epsom, Surrey. Not for a flutter on the horses but to hold a typography session with the graphic design students. And what a top-notch day it was.

The focus was on 'typography with a twist' where I shared my own work and the work of others; great brand identities from the likes of The Chase and Thoughtful Design, as well as Noma Bar, who's work is hanging next to mine in the 'More is a Bore' exhibition (see below).

I've always wanted to do this and I never thought I'd get so much out of it. The level of thinking from the students was superb and the sketch books were brimming with rich ideas. All of which I hope will be tweaked, developed and entered into each of their folios.

And, I'm hoping to go back. But this time, perhaps, to set a live brief. Something a little more meaty. But first, the end of year show which I'm rather excited about going to. (Rather impressively, the students have a good friend in design legend Vaughan Oliver who is working with them on live projects).

You can view the UCA design blog here. Keep a beady eye on it.

Less is more. More or less.

Tomorrow sees the grand opening of 'More is a Bore' - a new exhibition from The Ship of Fools gallery in The Netherlands. And, my `tache posters will be hanging from the walls of the converted cigarette factory in The Haag, along with work from, no less, the great Noma Bar and Anthony Burrill. The exhibition focuses on minimalist graphic art and will run from the 7th May until the 24th June. I really love the work of Noma and Anthony and I'm rather chuffed that the wonderful people at The Ship of Fools have included my work in this, their latest event.

To find out more about the exhibition visit The Ship of Fools gallery website.