#FridayFive with Shillington’s Oli Stevenson

Inspiration can come from anywhere. So, on the first Friday of every month, we’re sharing some of our Shillington team’s favourite things from the past four weeks. This month, Marketing and Communications Assistant Oli Stevenson tells us what was on his radar in January.

1. To Follow: Lucy Ketchin

To put it simply, Leeds-based creative Lucy Ketchin creates beautiful things. Working in illustration and textiles, colour and simplicity are key to her creations. Check out her collaboration with also-Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk for the label for their beer Blues Run the Game.

2. To Read: The Barbican Estate—Stefi Orazi

Just in time for the Barbican’s 50th birthday this year, this book by designer Stefi Orazi celebrates Chamberlin, Powell and Bon’s Brutalist icon and its 140 different flat types through beautiful photographs, maps and blueprints. The quotes from residents, including a 9 year old boy, help to cement the magic of the place.

3. To Go: Borough of Culture 2019

The opening weekend of London’s first ever Borough of Culture in Waltham Forest saw 70,000 people head to Walthamstow’s Lloyd Park to the fantastically-named Marshmallow Laser Feast’s light show Nest. There’s loads more to come throughout the next 11 months too.

4. To Listen: Ottolenghi—Loyle Carner

Inspired by a story of someone on his train mistaking Loyle Carner’s copy of celebrated Israeli-British chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s Jerusalem for a Bible, this song ponders the wonders of train travel. Ottolenghi also pops up for a (very short) cameo in the video—producing one of my favourite collaborations of all time.

5. Wildcard: Radical Essex

Project/website (designed by Fraser Muggeridge Studio) reimagining the often under-appreciated county of Essex as a hotbed for radicalism and British modernism—from oysters to the Californian aesthetic to the world’s longest pleasure pier (1.34 miles long to be precise).

Check back next month to see what’s been inspiring our team! And for some drool-worthy visuals from our Shillington students, read 20 packaging designs and 16 handmade album covers.