Naomi Games and Joanne Lee - a day of talks in the Visual Communication department

Students, staff and ex staff from the Visual Communications department enjoyed a great day of talks with the graphic designer Joanne Lee and Naomi Games, designer, writer and curator of her father, Abram Games’s, archive.

From Lee’s first talk on the amateur and the fettler in graphic design, to the amazing insights into the work of Abram Games, one of the most important British graphic designers, both speakers emphasised single-mindedness and confidence as the key qualities for students to emulate. Stimulating and inspiring the Visual Communication department also showed off its long, illustrious history, through an exhibition of ephemera from the School of Art. The highlight of which was the 1952 College of Art prospectus with thanks to Abram Games who gave a talk to the students here in Wolverhampton in 1951, the year that his symbol for the Festival of Britain made him a household name.

Ephemera from the School of Art

Joanne Lee talks about The Fall in her presentation on On the skills of amateurs, generalists, fettlers and the work of other curious types.

A wrapt audience listened to Naomi Games’s presentation 'Maximum Meaning, Minimum Means’ The Abram Games Archive
Naomi Games also showed the first TV moving ident made for the BBC by Abram Games in 1953

Karl Binder of creative technology agency Stickee - graduate success

Returning to the Visual Communication Department to speak to final year students, Karl Binder, graphics alumni shared examples of work by Stickee. Karl is CTO of technology agency Stickee, that specialises in creating enjoyable, memorable and immersive software and digital experiences for audiences.

Karl and his team provide development and support for organisations including ASDA, Carphone Warehouse and MoneySuperMarket as well as often assisting clients with digital creative & marketing campaigns to help them make the most of their new websites.

“Through explosion in mobile device usage over the last decade, we’ve mastered building mobile and tablet apps that are cross-platform, and which deliver a consistent user experience across all screen sizes and device capabilities .” said Karl “As keen technologists, excited to try the latest and greatest in technological developments, we’ve become well acquainted with Virtual Reality (VR) and have recently run a campaign for NatWest and their Cricket World Cup sponsorship.” He continued.

Find out more about Stikee here

Alumni launches Yellow Magazine

Graphics alumni Oreoluwa Ayoade (Abi) has returned to Wolverhampton School of Art to share some of his latest work with current Visual Communication Students. Abi who works in advertising has also recently launched Yellow Magazine with his sister. 

Yellow is a magazine of journeys, ranging from childhood to maturity; in its pages, ethnic minority artists have the liberty to recount and reflect on their working process, focusing on what makes them artists, and where it all began. Beginning with the marginalisation of artists of colour, Yellow creates a space where their work stands tall, is normalised and emboldened.

The first Issue of Yellow focusses on Illustration and is receiving much press coverage and critical acclaim.

Abi and his sister intend to maintain and build on the space they have created and are hope to organise and curate events to expand on the current print and online platforms; “we are looking to create physical spaces where our featured artists can exist.” In particular, they are organising two exhibitions to coincide with the launch of the second issue at the end of April, which will focus on photography.

Yellow can be bought here and is also on sale at the Tate.

Read more about Yellow on 'It'snicethat'.

https://www.yellwzine.com

Le Gun return visit

Collaborative Arts group Le Gun have returned to Wolverhampton School of Art for an exciting workshop."The theme of work produced was character" said John Clementson senior Lecturer in Illustration. "Students worked with and on each other’s drawings and constantly rotated to prevent sole ownership, it was a really enjoyable session with students from across the subjects and levels within the School of Art"

Find out more about a pervious Le Gun workshop here

Norton Canes School - enjoy a creative day in the Art School

Staff and Students from Norton Canes School have made a return visit to the University of Wolverhampton School of Art, visiting the library, careers department as well as enjoying creative workshops. 

Norton Canes has a thriving art department and pupils have recently exhibited at Wolverhampton Art Gallery as well as having five students successfully submit work for the Stafford Shopping Centre – Shire Hall Art competition.

Moseley Park School Get Creativity Down To A Tee

Sixth form students from Moseley Park School made their mark during a visit to Wolverhampton School of Art. Year 12 and 13 students spent the day at the University to learn about the importance of the creative industries and the scope of employment in this important sector.

Mrs Holland-Bright, of Moseley Park School said “It was an invaluable experience for pupils studying BTEC Art and Design, giving them a first-hand insight into careers in the creative industries and higher education courses.”