designscope blog

kim percy ‘traverse’ a photographic journey: final days!

designscope — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 06:44:38 +0000

Kim’s haunting, potent and visually arresting exhibition ‘traverse‘ comes to a close this weekend. We thought it time to: share some words used to describe her work, remind you to visit, and say thank-you to all those people who made it over for opening night!

Here’s a pic from the show….

And here’s what’s been said….

“What Kim’s eloquent, minimal, brooding installation does is hold our attention and ask certain questions of us as human beings”

Dr Marcus Bunyan, Art Blat, read more here…

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“There’s definitely a sense of the sublime going on in the work – in that philosophical sense, where the power of nature impacts your emotions.”

Kent Wilson, Gallery Director, Stockroom. read interview here…

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“Traverse is a thought provoking visual journey that will stay with you long after leaving the gallery.”

Norma Morton, Editor, Secrets Magazine. read article here…

Come and visit…

Where: Stockroom 98 Piper St, Kyneton. google map here…

When: 8 March till 8 April, 2012

Mon:	10:30 am	-	5:00 pm
Thu – Fri:	10:30 am	-	5:00 pm
Sat – Sun:	10:00 am	-	6:00 pm

Big congrats to Louiseann Zahra-King: winner of the designscope art award!

designscope — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:51:10 +0000

We are pleased to announce the winner of the Designscope New Technology Art Award
as judged by Dr Dan Wollmering at Stockroom last saturday was Louiseann Zahra-King.

Here’s a pic of Louiesann’s with her work just after receiving her award:

louiseann zahra king with her work titled: lullaby

and here is a better pic of the artwork:

louiseann zahra-king: $5,835, bronze, glass, perspex.

and here is a close up:

so much detail and work!

We look forward to helping Louiseann create a website for her work and some

other print material to help further her career!

Lousieann is represented by MARS Gallery.

Congratulations to other ‘you are here’ prize winners:

Michael Needham, ‘Faceless #3′, recipient of the Stockroom Prize
Jennyfer Stratman, “By the time I get to phoenix” recipient of the Fundere Foundry Prize

Visit opening night on the stockroom facebook page at here

video of recent artwork by erin tappe: flock @ mars

designscope — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 06:27:54 +0000

Check out this short 2min clip by one of our fave artists: erin tappe. In this clip erin discusses her use of wallpaper and silhouettes of various birds.

feeling thristy? there are 46 free bubblers in melbourne’s CBD…here’s a little map to show you where…

designscope — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:21:02 +0000

Local artist, writer and activist Patrick Jones popped into our studio last week to scan this updated map of water bubblers in melbourne:

water bubbler map by patrick jones

Patricks findings are encouraging: there are now 21 more free places to quench your thirst without a plastic bottle!

Read more about Patricks Free Water Project: water bubbler audit and key audit finding s

Happy drinking everyone

Need a graphic designer? Some thoughts on the process…

designscope — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 01:48:06 +0000

Approaching a graphic designer for the first time can be daunting. Some can appear to speak in a whole new language and if we feel that we are lacking in some way in regards to taste or aesthetic we might be intimidated, on the other hand we may have a clear picture of what outcome we want, but not the words to articulate it.

Like all service providers, there are great designers and ones to steer clear from, some that will appeal and some that won’t.

After almost 20 years in the design business we decided to write our first blog on what to look for in a designer, what to think about before the first meeting and what a good design process might look like.

Firstly, the most important thing for both you and the designer to know is what you want to achieve. If, for example you are getting a brochure designed, are you hoping that it will:

A raise awareness of your business
B sell products
C bring people to your shop
D bring people to your website
E change their behaviour, (eg a quit smoking brochure)

Next, who is the reader of your brochure?

Prospective clients
Current clients
Men
Women
Children
Country or metropolitan
High or low levels of education and income

Visual identity for the People Dimension Group

And, what sorts of messages do you want to communicate?

Oh, and you had better think about your budget!

Choosing your designer

It’s a good idea to ask around about designers and see if you can get a recommendation. It’s also a good idea to meet with more than one designer. You want to make sure that you find someone you can work with and who you trust with the public image of your organisation or cause!

Social Media in a paper bag! – First Tues of the month…

designscope — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 06:16:43 +0000

Discuss your ideas, breakthroughs and problems;
your great finds, news and lessons learned.
Bring your lunch, your ideas, creativity
and your sense of humour!

Free discussion & networking event: spread the word!

First Tuesday of the month
12.30pm to 1.30pm
Presented by Noelene Gration
Ascend Public Relations & Communications

Downstairs: 13 Knox Street Daylesford
More info: ngration@ascendpr.com.au or 0408218 954
www.ascendpr.com.au

Poster : please print and share!

Thinking about logos? Here’s a list of things to consider….

designscope — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 06:55:45 +0000

Thinking about commissioning a logo from a graphic designer? We have come up with a list of questions for you to think about before your first meeting. Work that you do before you meet with the designer will help you to get the most out of your meeting and help your designer get a better idea of what you want. Let us know if you have come up with some other questions that have helped you in the preliminary stages of getting a logo. This should be an exciting time not one that leaves you daunted!

1. Have you chosen and registered a name for your business?

2. Does the name translate well as a web address and is it available?

3. Does your business have a slogan or tag-line?

4. Have you thought about what kind of image you want your logo to express?

5. When you think of the business as a shape what would it be (round, square, oval, triangular)?

6. Would you consider the image you are presenting to be fun, serious, professional, modern, traditional?

7. Have you selected colours? What colours are you drawn to?

8. Do you need a logo or something typographic? This can depend on budget, how you are marketing your business and if you need a trade mark.

9. Have you seen the logos of your competitors?

10. What are the demographics of your customers?

11. What collateral are you wanting to develop (web, brochure, stationery, products etc)

12. What is the purpose of the logo?

1. Have you chosen and registered a name for your business? A good designer, copywriter or marketer should be able to advise you on a good name

2. Does the name translate well as a web address and is it available? (just google domain name). Remember to write it down so you don’t end up with www.therapist.com!

3. Does your business have a slogan or tag-line? (such as Nike’s Just Do It)

4. Have you thought about what kind of image you want your logo to express? (conservative, environmentally friendly etc.)

5. When you think of the business as a shape what would it be (round, square, oval, triangular)? Or do you want something typographic like Myer?

6. Would you consider the image you are presenting to be fun, serious, professional, modern, traditional?

7. Have you selected colours? What colours are you drawn to?

8. Do you need a logo or something typographic? This can depend on the look you are after, how you are marketing your business and if you need a trade mark.

9. Have you seen the logos of your competitors? Research!

10. What are the demographics of your customers? More Research!!

11. What collateral are you wanting to develop (web, brochure, stationery, products etc)

12. What is the purpose of the logo? Do you need one or will the business name be enough?

Think about it, talk with others, especially those who know your business. This is a chance to be creative and your designer should be able to guide you through the process to a logo that you can quickly identify as yours.

Our next blog will explore logos further, so stay tuned. Take a look at some of our recent logo designs below, or visit our site for more inspiring logo designs.

what is a cms? here’s an explanation using prezi.com

designscope — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 06:56:12 +0000

We are often explaining what a web content management system (CMS) is… Then we found prezi.com, it must be one of the best CMS’s around at the moment. Think of it like power point on steroids! Figured out how to use it and put together this 2 hr presentation yesterday. This is for a lecture at University of Ballarat next monday….Here’s the results:

http://prezi.com/reh18g-gbsin/what-is-a-cms/

what is a cms: overview of presentation

In this presentation you will learn:

what a web cms is used for
how it will help you manage your site
a history of web content management
types of cms that you can get built
some industry terminology
3 case studies of different sites using a cms
what a designer needs to know about a cms

eye chart for sore eyes

designscope — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:58:16 +0000

This is what happened when one of our writers needed time out due to sore eyes:

Is your site up to date >>

designscope — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 03:39:49 +0000

Your website is your shop front. It needs to be vibrant.

Good sites say a lot about who we are, what we value as well as what we do, sell or provide. Many of your clients and customers first contact with you is through your website. If the first thing they see is is outdated information with links that don’t work; chances are they will move on and not ever bother coming back for a second look!

As technology advances, websites are becoming more dynamic allowing for audiences not just to read them, but to interact, buy and sell, make comments and much more.

One of the best ways to keep people coming back to your site is to keep the content fresh. With all of the work put into a site, you don’t want it to remain the same for months after the launch.

http://graphicdesign.about.com/od/websitedesign/ss/website_10.htm

At designscope: we build unique custom websites with CMS [content management systems] – an easy to use site editor allowing you to be in control of keeping your site current.

Check List :

>> is the information current?

>> are links still relevant and operational?

>> are you including social media such as facebook?

>> is the design fresh and contemporary?

>> does the home page direct traffic to vital information?

>> is it easy to use?

Hepburn Health Services asked us to redesign their website after we produced their Annual Report. They wanted a strong, consistent site that supported their current brand. Community connection, staff involvement and a professional front were important aspects for us to consider. The new CMS site allows staff to edit content and upload images creating a vibrant and relevant service to the Hepburn Shire community.
www.hhs.vic.gov.au