Paris

Just a few snapshots from my birthday weekend in Gay Pareee. Lots of eating and vintage shopping ensued. Pics of Purchases to come .yeaaaahhhh.

Restriction Project

The aim of this project was to create 4 double spreads inspired by one of a list of 10 words. The requirements of the brief included only using 2 colours, sticking to Helvetica typeface as well as a word limit for each spread (0, 10, 50, 100). The word I chose from the list was "submersion". What first came to mind was brainwashing and a lack of control due to utter submersion of the mind, (slightly creepy I realise). This notion led me on to exploring cults who use brainwashing techniques, and of course what instantly sprang to mind was Charles Manson... 

I was inspired by how Manson managed to control people's thoughts and actions using drugs like LSD as well as music by The Beatles. Manson's "family" committed a series of murders in the Hollywood Hills in 1969, but he was not actually physically involved in any of them. These murders became known as the "Helter Skelter" murders, as that was what was written on the walls of the murder scenes in the victims' blood.

I decided to depict how Manson used mind control techniques that led to the Helter Skelter murders. The spreads are quite enticing and attractive ( I hope), only subtly highlighting elements of danger. The hypnotic, circular shape is a constant element in all the spreads; it emphasises the lure and appeal that Manson exerted toward his "family".

These digital versions of the spread actually look different to the final prints. I printed on "cool tan" coloured paper which I definitely prefer. I shall post a sample of the final prints laterzzzz.

Summer dreams ripped at the seams

1. My lovely Steph and I in Morocco making sweet, sweet music

2. Freshers Week Take 3

3. With my sister in Angkor Watt

summer alphabet

So for the last month or so I have been traveling around the UK, moving into a new house and taking on an already hectic workload from uni- seriously busy! Unfortunately my little blog has been neglected during this time :( but on the bright side I am settled and ready to blog frequently once more! The craziness of September is over, and as my favourite month begins there is a lot to look forward to...my 21st next weekend in Paris, friends' birthdays, autumn wardrobes and costume madness at Halloween.

To sum up the end of summer I have posted an image of my summer project. The brief was to create a concept using the alphabet to describe your summer experiences. My process was to take inspiration from Islamic design in architecture, i.e mosques, and create an alphabet inspired by this. I made an alphabet influenced by the traditional geometric shapes of islamic patterns. Once I had a foundation for this I then filled it in with a photograph I had taken of the city of Tangiers, Morocco. Finaaaalllly, I printed my design onto a dish dash (traditional muslim clothing) and presented it as a garment. 

This project was just an introductory/icebreaker to the 2nd year of my course, I am sure there will be much, much more to come! Love

batch 2.0 diana f+

my sister Jess in the architecturally amazing pool in Kep, Cambodia

Rain in the centre of Saigon

Treetop pool resort, Kep, Cambodia

View of Saigon/ Independence Palace

View from a houseboat of Mekong Delta River

My sister hoarding objects on the beach

Angkor Watt Temples/ Me in a restaurant (?)

Mobile garden on the Mekong Delta

Crab fishing

motorbike/ tuk-tuk

Picked up my Diana prints from Vietnam & Cambodia today- here are some of my faves from the trip. Once again it was a complete surprise to see how the photos turned out as I tend to carelessly but excitedly snap away at anything I think looks interesting. I realised that my favourite prints seem to be the ones with people in them, whether or not they're double exposed (blatantly my favourite effect ha) or unintentionally quirky. I'm just worried that when I get back to England the sunlight won't be strong enough to take lomographic (think that's a word?) photos...?

collectables

Paul Smith Swimwear & 3D glasses

Plastic Jewel thing found on the floor in Cambodia

Abayah clad women in Morocco

Rings from a Cambodia market & Drip Mat

Keep up and blog on Drink Mat from Geronimo's restaurant in Heathrow Airport

Best.Card.Ever. Elton John and David Furnish from Lazy Oaf shop in Carnaby Street, London

Just some of my favourite things I acquired on my travels this summer. I always collect printed things that I like and keep them for forever. You never know when they come in handy! I use the stuff I pick up in my graphics work, and I'm pretty sure these ones are going to feature in my summer project in some way. The Elton and David card has made my life.

Mad Hatters

Bershka A/W 2010

Abbey Lee Kershaw for Moussy A/W 2010

Wildfox A/W 2010

Wearing a Turban from Satwa Fabric shops in Dubai. ha. Shoot for my sister

I get so excited when Autumn comes around, it's my favourite time of year- freshers week at uni, my birthday, halloween, and a slight drop in temperature. Autumn means layering and accessories. I'm not a huuuuge accessories girl (I wish I was but I always forget to wear jewellery) but recently I have seen loads of quirky hats around that i lurrrve. I definitely want a furry deerstalker for winter. Above are a few of the hats I have fallen for, I'm especially feeling the Bershka Statue of Liberty one. 

Also how beautiful is the turban my sister picked up for virtually nothing in Dubai for a shoot she had to do..!?

dream hanging

Sequinned Crop Top- Miss Selfridge

Silk Dress/ Tunic- H&M

Glasses- RayBan

Just simply some recentish purchases that i love. I found my crop top in a sale hiding between some elephant sized jeans and a scarf and instantly fell for it. I wore it loads on holiday with a white vest underneath and either hot pants and sandals or leggings and heels- easily transforming from day to night my friends.

The silk dress is from H&M and again I was immediately attracted to it- I think it would look awesome layered for winter, and since when worn on its own it's totally see-through, it would be perfect for cold days.

Most recently I picked up the RayBans in Dubai, their tortoise-shell/leopard print is quite quirky and cool...