ashleigh steel

2011-10-23T14:22:00.000+11:00

Hello followers/those who have found my blog. I update this so infrequently (due mainly to a fairly massive uni project that will be over in the next two weeks), so check out my profile on The Loop if you would like to see more current design projects. It's probably the best way to get a quick overview of my design aesthetic and the scope of my work rather than trawling through this blog. But trawl if you wish! Otherwise head to my profile on The Loop http://www.theloop.com.au/ashleighsteelxxx

A new project in the works...

2011-09-16T21:38:00.003+10:00

A special treat for anyone who follows this blog (probably not many people as I update it so infrequently, you could hardly call it a blog)...
Here is a peek at a project I am currently working on for my final semester Visual Communication major project. I am still in the process of developing a proper website for the project, but check out my temporary site at http://cargocollective.com/everyday-everyday.
I haven't really released this publicly yet as the site is still under construction, but let me know what you think if you do find yourself checking it out.

ash x

Eskimo Proverb Cards

2011-08-11T17:10:00.003+10:00

Inspired by my internship at Eskimo Design earlier this year, I created a set of cards, each featuring a different hand illustrated Eskimo (or Innuit as we should say) proverb.

Band Poster Design

2011-07-19T15:48:00.001+10:00

I whipped up this little gem yesterday to promote my band Achoo! Bless You' upcoming show. It still looks very "us", but the photo adds something different, something a bit spunkier/edgy. I like where this is going.

All Hail To My Hands

2011-05-25T19:04:00.002+10:00

Have a little look at this animation I made as part of a uni assignment this semester. I undertook a research project exploring the value of using our hands in a contemporary design practice, ultimately reaching a visual outcome that included this animation. Essentially it is a celebration of our hands and the things they can do, complete with all their quirks and imperfections.

The Freckles

2011-03-24T12:45:00.001+11:00

Illustration, 2010: felt tip pen/feelings of home

Achoo! Bless you

2011-02-09T16:07:00.000+11:00

A poster I made up for my band recently.

The Retreat Tour Nov/2010

2011-01-22T17:41:00.002+11:00

In November last year Sydney folk/pop/alt-country band The Retreat embarked on a tour in support of their debut EP release. I designed a series posters/web banners to advertise the tour and encourage some crew to come along to shows!

SMAC awards (the night)

2011-01-22T17:34:00.003+11:00

Last Thursday was the big night, with all of mine and the rest of the FBi team's work finally paying off. Free booze, sick bands, well-deserved awards, everything was fab! Just thought I'd post up some pics of the awards I designed, and members from The Jezebels (winners of the Next Big Thing award) sitting in front of my posters. yay! Photos by Steve Mileski

SMAC awards again...

2011-01-22T17:26:00.003+11:00

Last week I got my hands on some copies of the printed invites for the FBi SMAC awards that were sent out to nominees and industry types. They turned out really well I think. The idea was to have the series of three so recipients could compare and collect the series, each representing an aspect of Sydney's Art, Music and Culture.

FBi SMAC Awards

2011-01-10T15:07:00.002+11:00

My last project for FBi involved creating the visual identity for their annual Sydney Music, Art and Culture (SMAC) awards. Taking a classic, art deco approach I created three designs encapsulating our local music, art and culture to be used across a range of collateral including print and web invites, posters, street press ads, trophy designs, award night slide designs etc. Let me know what ya think!

Achoo! Bless You

2011-01-09T15:10:00.001+11:00

Tote Bags

2010-12-01T23:47:00.003+11:00

I recently started an internship at Eskimo Design - an inspiring Sydney design company specialising in art direction, brand development and graphic design.
On my first day a few months ago I was asked to help design the annual Christmas tote bag. While these designs weren't chosen, I thought they would be fun to share. I created hand drawn type and illustrations based on the idea of 'Eskimo Proverbs' (relating to the company name Eskimo, gedditt?). I think they're pretty cute, perhaps enough interest could spark a print run?

a x

Moonbombs

2010-10-19T22:20:00.002+11:00

A few weeks ago I took some promo shots for Sydney band 'Moonbombs'. These guys have been kicking around for a while but with a new line up they needed some new shots. We headed down to Carriage Works in Newtown with a few long necks in hand. Check out their music here

film

2010-10-18T17:53:00.000+11:00

October 2010

Achoo! Bless You.

2010-09-28T12:10:00.003+10:00

I baked this the other day for my band: Achoo! Bless You.
We're pretty sweet, you should check out our music here: Achoo! Bless You.

FBi Still Life Art Auction

2010-09-23T14:42:00.003+10:00

On October 8th FBi are holding their annual art auction 'Still Life' at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. I designed this flyer/invite for them and I'll be showing an art work of mine own so come along!

We Have Bikes

2010-09-16T16:12:00.002+10:00

Here are some more detailed shots of the print I made at the Big Fag Press.
I showed this work at the Stucco Gallery in Newtown last month and made a sale.
Dimensions are 60cm X 20cm

Stucco Gallery

2010-08-12T16:23:00.002+10:00

Come to Stucco Gallery's grand opening on August 19th! I'll be exhibiting some of my works there including the print I made at the Big Fag Press. Also, my band Achoo! Bless You will be performing. August 19th @ Stucco, Wilson Street, Newtown

Big Fag Press

2010-07-17T16:07:00.003+10:00

A couple of weeks ago I participated in a UTS Visual Communications winter-school workshop based around printing on the Big Fag Press: a beautiful offset-lithographic proofing press which can produce prints up to B1 size. Check out their site here: Big Fag Press
As a group we created a publication as well as our own individual posters.
I produced a poster called "Our Town" with a print run of 30 copies so get in quick if you would like to purchase yourself a limited edition print!
Thanks to Pat for the photos.
I'll post more photos of my poster in the coming days.

The Retreat

2010-06-27T19:44:00.004+10:00

New promo shots for Sydney band The Retreat. Great kids: Check out their myspace

Sydney Sounds Like

2010-06-10T01:15:00.004+10:00

Over the past few weeks I've been working on some illustration/design work for FBi's Sydney Sounds Like gigs. There are four different gigs happening over the next two months and each needed their own flavour while still keeping with my graphic style. Here's some of the ads that will appear in The Brag/Drum media/ around the place next week:

2010-05-18T19:20:00.001+10:00

Sleep

2010-05-18T19:15:00.001+10:00

FBI Podcasts

2010-05-03T13:43:00.002+10:00

I'm now doing some design work for FBI radio with a group of young designers.

We've been working on a range of podcast icons and here are some of my contributions:

2010-05-03T13:37:00.001+10:00

.

2010-05-02T22:02:00.000+10:00

.

2010-05-02T21:59:00.000+10:00

Peak Hour

2010-04-11T21:18:00.002+10:00

Finders Keepers Artwork Competition

2010-03-07T03:08:00.001+11:00

Hey kids, check this out...I get a mention!

Finders Keepers Artwork Competition

Autumn

2010-03-02T21:04:00.001+11:00

Tell Me The Sea

2010-02-27T23:33:00.001+11:00

The Pool

2010-02-27T15:36:00.002+11:00

The Glow

(sources unknown)

Observations

2010-02-27T15:29:00.002+11:00

I Bought You a Bird So You Would Have To Look Up

(photographers unknown)

Finders Keepers Markets

2010-02-27T15:25:00.002+11:00

A few weeks ago the kids at Finders Keepers made a shout out for arty types to submit an artwork for their 2010 visual identity. Don't think I made the final cut but this was my entry.

The Retreat

2010-01-28T16:19:00.006+11:00

A couple of weekends ago I spent a lovely afternoon with my good friends from Sydney band The Retreat taking promo shots for their EP, myspace and general shenanigans. The Retreat make beautiful alt-country/pop/acoustic music and are about to release their first EP in the next few months, of which I have done some illustration/design work on. Keep an ear out for shows as they play in Sydney regularly, or check out their myspace http://www.myspace.com/ilovetheretreat

Boombox and Hightops

2010-01-21T11:06:00.005+11:00

Towards the end of last year I was commissioned by a Fourth Year Fashion Design student to create the visual identity for her collection. This included producing a logo, series of illustrations and design of the lookbook. The whole shebang was hard work but heapzz of fun, as I had never even dabbled into the world of fashion illustration before. Check out some examples of my work......

2010-01-21T11:03:00.001+11:00

As part of a Motion Graphics assignment in the 2nd year of my Design in Visual Communication degree I was required to produce this short motion graphics piece relating to a given typeface. Here I have used stop motion animation combined with digital work in after effects to retell, in limerick form, a brief history of the Gill Sans typeface. I really wanted to work with a very 'hand-on', cut and paste aesthetic, suggesting the idea of exploring a typographer's secret notebook. Music: "5 Years Time" by Noah and the Whale

More Happiness Conference Illustrations

2010-01-17T17:46:00.004+11:00

Just thought I'd share a couple more instances of my work with the Happiness and Its Causes Conference 2010. The first image was published in the Sun Herald's Spectrum and the second image is of the conferences website. Sweet! Stay tuned, I plan to post up more of my recent illustration work soon, as well as an animation I created a few months ago. I've recently been working with local Sydney band The Retreat on their new EP cover and press shots. Due for release soon, keep your eyes and ears out! Check out their myspace if yr keen: The Retreat

The Waiting Never Quite Felt Like Waiting When The Waiting Was With You

2009-11-13T21:52:00.003+11:00

PETE//EMMA JANE//MARK//CLAIRE//LOUISE

Happiness and Its Causes Conference Brochure

2009-11-06T11:12:00.007+11:00

Just a little sneak at a project I've been working on. I was approached to create some illustrations for the Happiness and Its Causes 2010 brochure. Past speakers include the Dalai Lama....hectic! Here's a peek at a couple of pages... (the first one is the cover image, minus the info). I'll be doing some more illustrations for the website in the coming weeks http://www.happinessanditscauses.com.au/

Portraits

2009-09-07T00:54:00.004+10:00

Portraits Series with Liv and Erica

Series of photos I shot and developed as part of a darkroom course at Uni this semester.

She Said She Loved Me Like Lamingtons

2009-08-07T01:17:00.004+10:00

Hello there, I know we haven't spoken much lately but I am trying to be better at this world of "blogging"/life in general. I've been drawing ALOT lately. Lots and lots. I have filled up multiple beautiful sketchbooks and journals over the past few months with my ramblings and squiggles. From here I have developed a series of prints. Check a few of these out below, if you please. Yours sincerely, me.

Skinny Knuckles

2009-06-23T00:29:00.007+10:00

Scans from my sketchbook of some new things I'm working on.

Zine: baby my hair's on end about you

2009-06-23T00:15:00.004+10:00

Zine: $3

An A5 size 16-page b/w photocopied zine full of sketches, lines, hand-generated type.

This little guy sold really well at the MCA Zine fair last month and 'Old Dog, New Tricks: Lo-Fi and Lovin' It' night as part of Creative Sydney. I'm just in the process of sending a shipment down to Sticky - the zine store in Melbourne. Let me know if you want me to print you a copy. Ta. x

First Experiments With Animation

2009-06-19T03:51:00.003+10:00

Below I've included the link to a humble animatic I created for the subject Sequence and Narrative at Uni.

Heaps DIY/slightly dodgy as it is my first experience with Flash animation program.

I am learning!!

Titled 'The End', my animation thematically aims to emphasise the notion that from every end comes a new beginning. I've used a combination of stop motion and Flash animation techniques, created all the original artwork by hand before transferring to the computer.

Click Here:

The End

It Ain't All Black and White

2009-05-19T00:12:00.001+10:00

Things that I'm working with for various projects, in uni and out.

Food for thought: In 24 hours I won't be a teenager anymore.

Covers and Theme Pages

2009-05-14T00:11:00.004+10:00

Hello 'ello.

Tough times at the mo kiddos! Seriously though, uni is toughening up.

While I am bursting to follow my own creative tangents, I've had to keep my head down and churn out these uni assignments like a beast! Above is one of the final covers for the magazine and underneath is a mockup layout I've been working with for my theme page. FUN TIMEZZ!

I'll post up pictures soon of an animation I'm working on aswell.

On a side note, the MCA Zine Fair is on NEXT Sunday 24th May. Oh don't you worry I'll be there selling my old zines and some new ones that are yet to be seen, alongside my usual gift cards/arts and crafts. Come say hi! Buy a zine! ah love.

Magazine Design

2009-04-06T00:10:00.000+10:00

Type For Print, Project One 2009:

Just some designs I've been playing around with for the cover of a magazine I'm creating for a Uni typography assignment. There's something about hand-generated type that gets me everytime....

The bottom cover is from a photobooth strip of my mum and dad circa '70s. Amazing. They look so very happy.

I Find Things

2009-03-16T00:06:00.000+11:00

I find things. Everywhere. All the time.

For example, today when I was walking home from the pool I noticed a very small illustration of a boy and girl holding hands painted onto the ground. I walked a little further and found an amazing wooden box/crate, hastily rammed into a rubbish bin. I took him home and put some treasures in him.

I find alot of photos - aged, discarded, decomposing photos of people I don't know. I once found an entire packet of photos, taken circa 1987, from a family picnic in which strangers played frizbee, clothed in amazing bat-wing jumpers, sporting dashing 80s mullets. I find a lot of passport photos as well. 'This is a true photo of William Ho' read the back of a small photo of a 40-yr-old asian male.

However, the treasures I find most often, without a doubt, are notes - love notes. Snippets of conversations, drawings, letters, wishes, words unsent. I found this beautiful note the other day in Victoria Park on my walk home from Uni.

Wednesday

2009-03-04T15:22:00.001+11:00

Cards:

Some new additions to the family of cards I've already created (see 'Older Posts' for a peek at the other designs). Some pegs, a whale, an inquisitive girl and an exercising male have joined the bunch. A lady who is opening a shop in Melbourne called Asta Publica approached me at the Kinokuniya Craft Fair last month with the interest of stocking my cards. The shop is only just opening its doors and I feel very lucky to be part of it.

I'm back at uni now - 2nd year Visual Communication student at UTS - so I fear that my own creations may have to take a back seat for the time being. However, I will be selling zines and craft at the MCA Zine Fair on May 24th, and hopefully some other places around town before then.

I'm quite excited to be back at uni. Our briefs look really interesting this year - I'm currently experiencing the joy of In Design CS4 and designing magazine layouts, mastheads and covers etc. For the subject 'Sequence and Narrative' we're looking at comic strips and storyboarding and I've also taken up 'Design for 2D Animation' which is proving very inspiring and interesting. Things aren't too hectic yet, however it was alarming that I found myself at uni last night in the computer labs at 8.15pm. Talk soon. x

She Loves You No Less

2009-02-16T23:33:00.000+11:00

Just some sweet things that I did today. A few weeks ago my mum gave me a beautiful big box of coloured inks, old paper and cardboard - my freakin' ideal pressie. So with a little spare time on my hands (it felt better than cleaning the bathroom) I inked up some love. Then one of my four favourite people in the world came over and I sat drawing the letters while she talked to me and drank tea.

Zine: The Person You Love Is 72.8% Water

2009-02-16T03:45:00.000+11:00

Zine: 'The Person You Love Is 72.8% Water"

Price: $3

Ahhh, the things we do for love, and the ridiculous, stupid, pathetic things we do for lust. People are, quite simply, fucking ridiculous. The pages of this zine are adorned with the kind of bizarre statements that have been made to me, or people I know, in relation to matters of the heart. Or perhaps more accurately, the groin. Enjoy.

Dancing During Dinner

2009-02-16T03:36:00.000+11:00

Just Some Sweet Things.

This first piece is a small, rough piece I did a while ago while I lived on a diet of recycled brown paper and black ink. Below are some badges, also made some time ago, but they seem to be popular and I do sell quite a few at Craft/Zine fairs. They're sewn from various recycled fabrics - old pants, skirts and shirts of mine or just scraps of offcuts. Each badge is $3

Ashleigh

2009-02-16T03:31:00.000+11:00

My mum gave me a whole bunch of drawings I did as a kid. I think this is wonderful. I couldn't ever make something this loose and raw and free now. My attempt at as a signature is heaps amazing and very much adds to the piece. Beautiful.

Dream Haiku Cards

2009-02-16T02:45:00.000+11:00

Dream Haiku Cards

Price: $4

For some reason, in a flurry of creative inspiration, I decided to take polaroids of telegraph wires and tops of buildings in my surrounding area. For a while I've been writing haiku poems of bizarre and lovely dreams I've had in my journal (I dream so much this isn't hard). Here i've combined the two forces and created typographically-based Haiku Dream Cards! huzzah!

Either/Or

2009-02-16T01:58:00.000+11:00

Hello Friends, apologies for my lack of updates as of recent times, I've been frolicking in the Byron Hinterland - swimming in streams and patting green tree frogs. Much tea was drunk and doodles were made. Here are some sketches I did while I was away - I'm looking at making them into gift cards/postcards. When I began these I imagined adding colour in afterwards, however, i feel they're looking quite effective in black and white.

I'm noticing a change in the art I'm producing lately. It's becoming far more hopeful. It's as if loss and mess made everything sharp and clear and I've moved to a place where I don't need to 'let out' all the things I could never say or truly explain (to the 'him' or just to myself). All those feelings needed to be allowed and felt and seen. I was patient and now I'm hopeful. I think being just as I am is finally enough for me.

Zine: Real Serious About Life

2009-01-30T11:03:00.000+11:00

Zine: Real Serious About Life

Price: $2

A collection of illustrations and quotes and snippets of life.

Zine: You Put My Heart In The Blender and Pressed 'Frappe'

2009-01-28T01:25:00.000+11:00

Zine: You Put My Heart In The Blender and Pressed 'Frappe'

Price: $6

8 beautiful colour prints of typographic based artworks relating to the demise of a significant relationship. Just a bit lovely, if I do say so myself.

Zine: You Are Almost There

2009-01-28T00:38:00.000+11:00

Zine: You Are Almost There

Price: $5

A 16-page collection of drawing, collages, mix media pieces, conversations and typographic ramblings relating to the various stages of purging a significant other.

Zine: The Zoo

2009-01-22T14:06:00.001+11:00

Zine: The Zoo

Price: $2

You built a zoo inside my belly

Zine: Heaps Good At Life

2009-01-22T13:48:00.000+11:00

Zine: Heaps Good At Life

Price: $3

A random collection of thoughts, conversation snippets, drawings, typography, collage etc relating to life in all its ridiculousness.

More cards

2009-01-22T12:40:00.000+11:00

Hello again! Here are some more cute little cards, have a squiz and let me know if you're keen for purchase! only $3 each

2009-01-22T12:12:00.000+11:00

Hello folks! Welcome to the first post of my new blog. I thought this a lovely way for everyone to keep up to date with all the latest designs and creations of 'Ash'. Following are some handmade cards I've been making. All illustrations are by hand and altered on the computer. I've been playing around with different stocks of recycled paper so here are some examples. I recently sold quite alot of these beauties at the Kinokuniya Craft Fair last Saturday.

Cards are $3 each

or also come in packs of 4 for $10

ashleigh steel

A new project in the works...

Eskimo Proverb Cards

Band Poster Design

All Hail To My Hands

The Freckles

More gig posters

Achoo! Bless you

The Retreat Tour Nov/2010

SMAC awards (the night)

SMAC awards again...

FBi SMAC Awards

Achoo! Bless You

Tote Bags

Moonbombs

film

Achoo! Bless You.

FBi Still Life Art Auction

We Have Bikes

Stucco Gallery

Big Fag Press

The Retreat

Sydney Sounds Like

Sleep

FBI Podcasts

.

.

Peak Hour

Finders Keepers Artwork Competition

Autumn

Tell Me The Sea

The Pool

Observations

Finders Keepers Markets

The Retreat

Boombox and Hightops

More Happiness Conference Illustrations

The Waiting Never Quite Felt Like Waiting When The Waiting Was With You

Happiness and Its Causes Conference Brochure

Portraits

She Said She Loved Me Like Lamingtons

Skinny Knuckles

Zine: baby my hair's on end about you

First Experiments With Animation

It Ain't All Black and White

Covers and Theme Pages

Magazine Design

I Find Things

Wednesday

She Loves You No Less

Zine: The Person You Love Is 72.8% Water

Dancing During Dinner

Ashleigh

Dream Haiku Cards

Either/Or

Zine: Real Serious About Life

Zine: You Put My Heart In The Blender and Pressed 'Frappe'

Zine: You Are Almost There

Zine: The Zoo

Zine: Heaps Good At Life

More cards