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Need experience?
29/06/09
We are always looking for enthusiastic and talented people eager to gain experience working in a small design studio as an intern. If you are studying for, or recently achieved, a BA Hons degree in Graphic Design or Visual Communication we would like to hear from you. So send us an email of your CV, some examples of your work and a covering note explaining why you deserve a space, email audrey@sparks-studio.com
sparks fly south
04/04/09
We've moved studios and are now in the sunnier climes of Shoreditch, with a great view over a couple of willow trees. The new studio gives all of us some extra elbow room and greater flexibility for different creative work.The new address is 21 Whiston Road, London, E2 8EX. This is the entrance We have new phone number too 020 7749 6969
Olympic design contract is a lottery
11/03/09
Designers have as much chance of winning design work for the Olympics than they do winning the lottery, it emerged today.
In early February, the Olympic Delivery Authority advertised for design and print services inviting tenders from a range of registered agencies. But the selection process turned out to be more than a fair race to the finishing line.
Like any Olympic hopeful, we went into training, sharpened our portfolio and entered the competition. But we learnt yesterday that our initial application hadn't made it through the heats. After a little enquiry, they were told by the adjudicators:
"Thank you for taking the time to respond to this opportunity. We had an overwhelming response from 245 organisations. Due to the number of high scoring responses we have short-listed a number of suppliers randomly from those who scored the highest mark in our questionnaire. This was done anonymously."
Olympic finalists are selected on merit and we thought the Olympic Delivery Authority would do the same. We just hope that this strange random selection process isn't applied to the many hopeful cyclists, swimmers and gymnasts.
Design Week.
Creative Review.
Le Corbusier
26/02/09
The studio went out to visit Le Corbusier: The Art of Architecture at the Barbican last week. The show is a detailed profile of an intimidating design figure and the ideas and events which influenced his work. We're all familiar with the amazing brutality with which he would sketch out a plan for a new city across the landscape of a map, placing tower blocks like components on a circuit board. It was interesting to see this uncompromising work in contrast to the meticulous and sensitive sketches and notes he made. One display case, filled with his collection of shells, icons, pieces of broken pottery, glass ornaments, really helped to give an insight into the work of a strange and driven man. www.barbican.org.uk/lecorbusier
A Sad Story of Vinyl
23/01/09
The worlds largest personal collection of vinyl is for sale and can't find a buyer. On a more positive note (excuse the pun), our favourite Hobo Chic musician 'Duke Special' will be recording songs 'direct to vinyl' at Metropolis Studios in early March - the first person to do this for 30 years.
RE CYCLING
09/01/09
Following a studio clear-out we just took 5 boxes of recycling to the Isligntons finest 'Reuse and Recycling Centre'. After wading past the Chrismas trees we spent an hour sorting card from paper. Something every designer should do now and again - i think well be proposing more newsprint stock for future projects and no wire binding.