We will wash it

Rip Oliver Postgate

The Big C

As anti campaigns go, i wonder how convincing this argument is!

Topical Pumkins

Yes we carve

Design Revolution

I had the pleaseure of attending the launch of the new Emory Douglas Exhibition at Urbis, Manchester.

Emory Douglas is the First and only Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party.
There are lots that can be said about the cultural impact of the work of Emory Douglas and the Black Panther Party, from the first depiction of police and politicians as pigs and police to the free school meals.

This exhibition goes some way to covering the various cultural and historical situation as well as the very graphical work on show.
The work evokes the political social artwork of the time and even puts to shame some of the digital techniques used in design today.
Definitely worth a look, and it's on till March 09

Felice Varini

Some of you may have already heard of Felice Varini.
I've recently discovered this artist's huge outdoor 3d paintings/installations.

As wikipedia decribes it -

"Felice paints on architectural and urban spaces, such as buildings, walls and streets. The paintings are characterised by one vantage point from which the viewer can see the complete painting (usually a simple geometric shape such as circle, square, line), while from other view points the viewer will see ‘broken’ fragmented shapes.

I'd certainly like to have the opportunity to see his work.
You can see some more of his work here

18th Century London / Manchester

On my way out of the office today i noticed something peculiar!

It's not often you see vintage posters for Camden Town and vintage wheel barrows scattered around Manchester City centre!
Upon further inspection and a bit of research, apparently it's for the New Sherlock Holmes movie which is directed by Guy Ritchie.

The pictures don't do it justice but you can pop down and have a butchers yourself, as they are around for a bit.

ABC3D

I pre ordered this book back in June after seeing this video.
And i have to say it's just as good and plenty of fun as it is in the video.

Definitely recommended.

The Big Picture

Now this is the news. I was pointed to this site by the serif.
It's a section on the Boston Globe news site which tells the news through a series of stunning photography.
The photos seem to capture more than just story they are telling, but they do say a picture paints a thousand words!!

Gocco Locco

Our new office toy arrived this week.
A Gocco PG-10.

For those that don't know, you can find out more information here
And view the fruits of some other peoples labour in this Flickr group.

Expect to see some 44Gocco prints soon!

Business guys on business trips!

Check out business guys on business trips a funny image blog on the usual office workplace.

Photography 101

Some random light photography experiments.

Update

Well, can you believe it is now August!!
While this blog is meant to keep you up to date with all things 44.
Over the last few months we've had to juggle work, holidays and battle the inconsistent weather!!

While some of you have been waiting with bated breath, our new website is near completion and should be ready to launch early September.
I know it's been a long time coming!!

In the meanttime, whilst you're waiting for the new 44 site. Why not check out the Gustav Klimt exhibition at the Tate Liverpool.

It's on until the 31st August, so you'll have to be quick!
It's definitely worth a look, with some impressive work on show, not least the re-creation of the 'The Beethoven Frieze'.

Other things worth checking out that we've seen/heard/read over the last few months, include:

The Dark Knight on a Imax screen
The Watchmen graphic novel
Listen to Flying Lotus
Deodorant Type: Sculptures by Gwon Osang at Manchester City Art Gallery - Amazing sculptures

Long time no blog!

Since we lasted bloged, we've:

Designed a new logo for Manchester Libraries Business Information services.
Not updated our old website.
Designed a new Furniture Website
Not developed our new site
Designed a new logo and website for a Luxury Hotel and Spa
Not updated our old website
Been to Formby beach
Not updated our old website
Started working on a Poster for NHS North Western Deanery
Not developed our new site
Found this great blog
Designed a Cocktail Menu
Designed a Spa Brochure
Updated a few websites
Not developed our new site
Designed a Furniture catologue
Not developed our new site
Made / Drank several cups of tea
Designed a CD Case
and Not developed our new site!!

The Onion

A gallery of The onions weekend supplement magazine covers.

The Onion is also worth a read every now and then for a laugh!

Five Alive

What a Stone

A great piece of concrete!

Save The Trees.

Here is a useful site explaining the issues facing designers and their clients, looking to be more environmentally aware.

The site contains lots of useful information on how to improve and limit your wastage from types of paper and printers to ink and recycling.

Good Stuff!

World Record Sale

How did i miss this!!!

The Worlds Greatest Music Collection

It ended yesterday
Not that i could afford it, mind.

Listening to.......

Just came across this little beauty

Red Bull Music Academy

Looks like a host of mixes to keep us entertained in the office for the next couple of months

Can i get a rewind

Well it's been a while since our last post.
We've been busy working on and pitching for new projects, doing the annual planning and tidying of the office and working on our new site.

Yes that's right, a new site.

In-between the long hours we've managed to start working on our new site, which should hopefully be up soon. Fingers crossed!
Hopefully we might be able to post a few sneak peak images of the new site, so watch this space.

If of course anyone has any objections and would like us to keep our existing site then let us know and we'll mull it over.
Alternatively, just like all good refurb sales, you can buy your own piece of the old 44media website.
Contact us with details of the bit you would like and for how much.

Remember, EVERYTHING MUST GO!!

Anyway i digress, apart from all the work, i've had the chance to go to the cinema a few times over the past couple of weeks.

I would recommend seeing Cloverfield, the new film from LOST creator J J Abrhams. Bar all the hype it is just over 80 minutes of intense entertainment.
Nothing more, nothing less.
If you are expecting an insightful film full of intelligent scenes and writing without any plot holes, then forget it.
The films role is nothing more than to take you on a ride through a city under attack by an unknown monster.

The audience views the action through the lens of a video camera held by one of the characters.
Of course you would ditch the camera after 5 mins, but hey this is a film.
By viewing the film through the camera and characters viewpoint, you are placed right amidst the action and are never given the opportunity to see or understand what's going on. This provides the sensation of being placed right in the middle of the action. You very rarely get to see the monster from close up as the chracters never go near to it (apart from the end, for the obligatory hollywood pay off).

There are of course a few 9/11 references as the film is set in New York under attack and the characters don''t know what is happening or why.

But this probably adds to the film and i would highly recommend it.

I've also had the chance to see

No Country for Old Men, the new Cohen Brothers film - a quality film and well worth seeing.
Talk To Me - the story of Petey Greene a radio Dj from the late 60s - cheesy but entertaining.
Balls Of Fury - a ping pong comedy - Don't see it!

Another film I'm looking forward to is Be Kind Rewind, the new film from Michel Gondry.

Michel Gondry is responsible for such films as 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', 'The Science Of Sleep' and music videos including Daft Punk's 'Around The world' and The White Stripes 'Fell In Love With A Girl ' Lego video.
If you have had the chance to see any of his work, you will know how imaginative and talented a director he is and if not I'd recommend buying this DVD / Video which showcases his music video work.
Check out the rest in the series, if you get a chance.

The film stars Jack Black and Mos Def as it's lead characters. The premise, centres around 2 video store owners who recreate their own versions of famous films after all the tapes in the store become erased due to Jack Black being magnetized!

Due to their very small budget the recreations of the films are based on their imagination and their limited resources.
Films Sweeded - the term used to describe thier re-interpretations in the film, include KIng Kong, Ghostbusters and Driving Miss Daisy to name but a few.
As part of the movies promotional website, they've applied the same process to the website and to some other popular sites.
Including IMDB


and Google


Be sure to check out the trailer and the films interpretations of films such as Boyz in The Hood, Rush Hour 2 and Ghostbusters.

Rob Bailey / Common

I had the chance to go to the launch of the new Rob Bailey exhibition in Manchester last night.

The exhibhition is hosted at and by those nice folk at Common, who regularly hold exhibitions from talented artist and illustrators.

Be sure to check it out if you get a chance, it's on until the 30th April.
Why not grab some lovely food and drink whilst your there too!

You can view some of his work here.

This is the news!

The BBC have just released the beta version of their new website.

The design allows the user to move and change the content they see on the home page.
I quite like the annalogue clock at the top, but i'm not sure about the overall design.
It doesn't seem to reflect the serious content contained in the site but maybe my opinion will change in time.