Monday, April 2nd, 2012

Pick Me Up 2012

Having been unable to make it to Pick Me Up with the guys for 2 years running, I was determined to get there this year when I got wind it was back! At the Somerset House Embankment Galleries, it was a mixture of lovely design/illustration work and work that looked like my sketchbook in my first year at university. Not only was it a showcase of talented designers and illustrators, but you could come away with something too – which I very nearly did, but my willpower sustained me. There was some very impressive hand drawn typography, a swirl of intricate pen lines by Yuko Michishita and lovely hand rendered illustration by David Sparshott in the Selected Artists area. Peep Show were artists in residence hosting workshops, and Print Club London set up a screenprinting area inviting people to take part in the process and creating a silk screen print. Definitely worth the visit, inspired me lots!

Pick Me Up 2012

Pick Me Up 2012

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

Pick Me Up Again

Sunday was the last day of this year’s Pick Me Up exhibition at Somerset House. I really enjoyed my visit, with some familiar faces from 2010 alongside a number of new exhibitors. Personal highlights from the Pick Me Up Selects artists included the gorgeous letterpress of Jessica Hische, the quirky cartoons of Tom Gauld and the strangely beautiful information graphics of Stefanie Posavec.

Pick Me Up 2011

Pick Me Up 2011 at Somerset House

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Pick Me Up 2011

Delighted to have received advance notice from Somerset House of the next Pick Me Up graphic art fair. We really enjoyed the event last year especially Rob Ryan’s open studio. This year, the studio space will be occupied by the very talented Anthony Burrill, which reminded me of his brilliant charity project for the Gulf of Mexico disaster – ‘Oil & Water Do Not Mix’ (below). More details on the March event here.

Oil & Water Do Not Mix

'Oil & Water Do Not Mix' by Happiness Brussels. Designed by Anthony Burrill.

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

David Carson announces ‘Carson Magazine’

Making his return from the late 90′s typography grunge era, David Carson has announced his return to journalism with a new magazine, appropriately titled, ‘Carson’. Famous for his radical approach to typography and conceptual advertising in Ray Gun magazine, Carson paved the way to change how designers used and viewed typography as a medium, pushing us out of our Bauhaus influenced boxes into a crazy world where anything was possible. Since then, typography has returned to it’s former clean cut ways as people now prefer clarity and clear unadorned type, with Carson’s work now considered retro. So now with his return, it will be exciting to see what waves are made.

Carson Magazine

You can visit the Carson Magazine website here and order the subscription for $20.91 (but a bit pricey for the UK at $102.27) for 6 issues.

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

License to Inspire

The Central Illustration Agency have just published this beautiful book showcasing all their artists, featuring Sarah Jane Coleman, who Premm enjoyed working with last year on an illustration for the BBC Proms guide. License To Inspire is an eclectic mix of stunning artwork and fascinating interviews from the world’s most talented illustrators and industry innovators. An invaluable resource for art buyers and other professionals within the creative industries. You can buy a copy on CIA’s website, or from the ever-reliable Amazon.

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

Turn Back Time

Premm were recently involved in producing all of the promotional and learning materials for the BBC roadshow that ran in support of the Turn Back Time – The High Street series. The highly successful BBC One programme tracked a group of shop-keeping families that were transported back to the birth of the high street in the 1870s, and propelled through a century of change, right up to the modern era and the 1970s.

Turn Back Time

Friday, January 7th, 2011

A new logo for Starbucks

The much loved US company Starbucks has unveiled its new identity this week created by their own in-house design team Lippincott, presenting a bolder take on the original ‘Siren’ logo. Joining the likes of Nike, they have now opted to remove the company name ‘Starbucks’ along with the word ‘coffee’ altogether, now just having the Siren presented in the circular logo.

Starbucks logo 1971 - 2011

Monday, November 1st, 2010

Wall Painting by Supakitch and Koralie

A nice video to brighten up your Monday.

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Hands on History

BBC Learning – History is a major priority for the BBC with an unprecedented range of History programmes
across BBC One, Two and Four over 2010 and 2011; from the Norman Conquest, to Stonehenge and 100 years of the
British High Street. The TV programming is being supported by a new BBC Learning initiative – Hands on History.

BBC Learning Timeline

Premm were invited to tender for the ‘Hands on History’ campaign with the initial focus on the Normans. The
branding created gives flexibility for future campaigns with the creation of a central character named ‘Eric’, illustrated
by Glen McBeth. Eric, a young lad, is modern, cheeky and adventurous, with a real passion for the past. Throughout
the campaigns he will arrive in different eras and take on the persona of the time he emerges in. Animations
using Eric have been created by Pesky Animations to support the educational message.

Premm have created the brand, incorporated into a Learning pack to inspire families across the UK to explore
history. Resources include guides to historical buildings, walking tours, downloadable family and partner
activities, BBC events as well as lesson plans for schools, all with an emphasis on getting ‘hands on’.

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

And the winner is…

Congratulations to illustrators Chris Haughton and Andy Potts for their success in the recent AOI Awards. Premm worked with Chris on our promotional material for the BBC Poetry Season and have collaborated with Andy on the BBC Proms and RHS marketing campaigns. Thanks to these connections with two of this year’s prize-winners, Martin has been asked to take part in judging the 2011 awards. www.theaoi.com

Chris Haughton with his award winning artwork

Chris Haughton


Andy Potts and his illustration for Audacious Apricot Ale

Andy Potts