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#FridayFive with Shillington Design Teacher Nick Smith

Inspiration can come from anywhere. So, on the first Friday of each month, we’re sharing some of our Shillington team’s favourite things from the past four weeks. This month, Shillington Manchester Teacher Nick Smith tells us what was on his radar in October.

1. To Follow: Birmingham Design

Being a Brummie in Manchester there is a constant struggle to defend good ol’ Brum as the second city. So now, after two amazing festivals, the founders of Birmingham Design Festival have set up Birmingham Design to celebrate the West Midlands’ design scene and extend their events throughout the year. Their account is only just up and running but still worth keeping an eye on…

2. To Read: Book of Ideas

We had Radim Malinic do a guest lecture at Shillington Manchester last year and it was great to hear about his approach and the importance of self-initiated work. When first starting at Shillington, I took a step back from freelance work to get my head in to the course but after a few terms I started challenging myself to do more personal design, to develop skills and new techniques and just get ideas that are swirling in my head onto the machine. Book of Ideas acts as a little guide and reminder for me to essentially just do it and build up that body of work for yourself for my own pleasure and development.

3. To Go: Keith Haring

I recently went to the Keith Haring exhibition at the Tate Liverpool. Although I knew of his work, I had never really delved in to it too deep but this exhibition was fascinating. I never grasped how politically and socially driven his work was and the messages they carried. It was also great to understand the repeated symbolism of the characters within his work. One particular stand out project called Set of Ten Drawings depicted horned ‘devil sperm’ depicting his relationship and the impact of AIDs during that era. The exhibition finishes next Sunday, 10 November, so get down while you can!

4. To Listen: The Honest Designers Show

I have been listening to this podcast recently and, although I am only a few episodes in, it is a great wealth of information for a designer who is at any point of their career. It is great to hear some honest opinions from designers (who sometimes can be a closed off bunch with the business side of design in particular). The topics covered include embracing failure, creative spark, design masterclasses, winging it, burnout, networking and loads of other interesting insights. As mental wellbeing in the design industry is under a spotlight currently, there are some great topics in here.

5. Wildcard: Bompas & Parr

Bompas and Parr are a ‘multi-sensory experience design’ company that curate food and drink experiences themed and designed to attack all the senses. They create immersive campaigns that look intrinsically with our relationship with food, how we engage with it, how we react and how our environment can alter that experience.

Have a look back at what’s been inspiring our team over the past few months! And for some drool-worthy visuals from our Shillington students, read 16 handmade album covers and 14 app designs.

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