web design and custom wordpress CMS development

I am designer based in Sydney. I divide my time between web design and the visual arts. Having spent 4 years in Japan, I have self explored a culture, found love in detail and formed a process derived from traditional techniques and experimentation. I am drawn to the detail of Japanese design, patterns, traditional color use and its application in mediums such as clothing, interiors, industrial objects and the everyday. My art work is multi-faceted and designs are formed from freehand cuts in paper which are transferred to print and given depth and energy through cuttings and manipulation of the printing block.

My commercial work is derivative of these influences. I have been working in the web industry for 8 years and have developed methods of getting the best results in terms of user experience and design as well as search, exposure and efficiency. I specialize in custom blogs, especially wordpress CMS, SEO, creating functional websites and building online identity.

Read more about my influences and techniques in the art and design blog below.

covers of 1993 design journals

unique packaging design from 1933

Recently I created this paper cut design drawing influence from origami flowers. To maintain the images shape, paper cut requires that everything be linked by joining paper and that white space be cut from design without cutting into other white space and essentially leaving paper string connecting everything. I like the challenge of having to pre-think a strategy for cutting out a design and it is a nice thought the finished design is totally connected. The effect is appealing and it has other applications.

I felt the property would look nice in a printed form so I have been using my paper cut as a template to create lino cuts. Much of Japan’s traditional design is derived from wood block printing. Lino cut is a much easier medium to work with and the results and texture vary. I like the control of line you can achieve with lino cut.

First tracing the template and then removing the white areas with a knife. I found there were a few important things to remember.

• Keep a border around the edge of your block for when it comes to inking the board and printing, it helps a lot.
• Try use the cutting direction as a texture. It requires a really deep cut if you want a completely white area in the negative space. I personally like to use the lines of the cut and it works well with my paper cut designs as a base.

I am pleased but even with these quite rigid grooves I created when cutting out this design, I found the result on the printed paper was very light and subtle. A lot of the texture in the print has come from the ink and how it is applied to the block. Something to experiment with. Check out the results of finished prints.

For the 8th time running but my first time to attend. Public space? How about private space? Art Osaka 2010 is held in the top 4 floors of the Dojima Hotel. Utilizing space to a new level of originality. Each of the rooms on the hotel, given to the creative devices of the Galleries, made for a completely unique space for showing art. Navigating each of the transformed room and finding each new take on the display of art was an intriguing experience.

If you missed it, you will know for next time, if you check out FLAG Osaka art guide.

Bride and Wolfe has just launched a new blog full of amazing design inspiration and ideas. Along with the custom blog updates I have added a new home page design that is to celebrate Miranda’s new range of designs. Just a sneak peak of what is on offer on the blog….

Check out these drawings etched into beach landscapes.

The Kyoto Art Center is holding an artists exchange exhibition featuring the work of 3 Japanese and 3 Korean artists. Point is only exhibiting until January 24th. A little late on the heads up but perhaps if you have time check it out. The purpose of the exhibition being to improve relations between artists and critics between the two countries. Talks were held on the opening day between, critics, artist and the curators. Pretty informative and a really interesting look at Korean art styles I had not seen before.

The artist mentioned they had intended to do more in the process and creative side of the contemporary artists exchange. The end result seemed like an exhibition of comparison rather than a process of interaction. Though doing things internationally is tough. Funding, transport and communication provide the biggest barriers. I found the process and their explanations really informative. Though I want to ask the question; How does an exhibition of a group of artists working to a theme become an exchange in process rather than an exchange in ideas post creation. Ideas are important but the process of how an artist works and how they concept the work is perhaps more interesting for the artist and result would differ greater. For example providing a workshop and an exchange of techniques, making use of each others creative spaces and learning where inspiration comes from. Artist in residency is an attempt at this, but always seems a little like bringing skills to an environment rather than exchanging skills through mediums. The approach taken here was to allow artists to network with curators extensively beforehand.

I think a unique process was best achieved in a collaboration between classic musicians and artists. Musicians were asked to interpret pieces done by contemporary artists. The performance at the opening was the 88th of such. Though it was hard for me to reference it back to the contemporary art. Partly because of language but also because the artwork was not on display. The artist gave a talk about it though.

Kyoto Art Center is a great contemporary art space and worth checking out. Reformed from an old school, the original timber, fittings and feel still exist.