With all the belt tightening and cost cutting in a TIME OF FINANCIAL CRISIS, this is probably the only FREE to enter with a gift (Royal Children’s Hospital NICUnit), FREE drinks, FREE food, FREE (Tamas Jones, the other half of Hey Convict) tunes, FREE fun christmas gig for 2008.

Joost the Greenhouse’s creator will also be conducting a walk through for all green thinking graphic designers, at 6pm sharp!

Mark the date in your diary, get there early, RSVP essential vic (at) agda (dot) com (dot) au. See you there.

Visit AGDA here, visit the Greenhouse here

Michael Worthington the English graphic designer based in California, parted with a wonderful quote that shadows one’s journey in making graphic work – one is only original as one’s sources are obscure. It’s an idea that completely dispells the myth that creative people are this independent font of fresh and original thinking.

One Afternoon in June 1999 Andrew discovered the obscure monograph of Swedish based graphic designer – John Melin. It was an exciting discovery. Every page revealed new posters, book jackets, installations of artful imagemaking and design with lightest yet highly compelling touch.

In an age awash with information available of every variation graphic work and their authors, it is suprising that the work of John Melin has been allowed to pass with little comment or exploration.

The following images are from John Melin’s only monograph – John Melin till Exempel

The Narrows in Melbourne has had the fortune to secure a collection of works, in prestine condition, of John Melin to November 29, 2008. Make every effort to experience this special exhibition.

John Melin
Swedish, 1921–1992
Graphic Designer

Oct. 31–Nov. 29
2008

The Narrows
2/141 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Australia
Telephone + 61 (0)3 9654 1534
Visit the Narrows here

Gallery hours
Wed–Fri 12–6pm,
Saturday 12–5pm
or by appointment

There is commercial naming projects and there are the naming projects that have soul –  the names of our community precincts – St John’s Wood, Seven Dials, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Five Ways, Crouch End, Land’s End.

The Unnamed Precinct project is an initiative of residents, businesses and institutions in the area of Sydney bound by the part of Oxford Street from Taylor Square to Greens Road, including the neighbouring cross streets and surrounds. The five-way intersection of Oxford Street, South Dowling Street, Victoria Street and Barcom Avenue marks the centre of the precinct. The project team work and live in a place that they feel needs to have a name, they are seeking ideas and feedback from the community to clarify this idea.

Having lived and work there, we put aside some time and submitted the following naming options:

In light of the rich local history of artists and artisans one may suggest some of the area’s most prolific artists under the theme – celebrating local creative people

Brett Whiteley AO (7 April 1939 – 15 June 1992) was an Australian artist. One of the best-known Australian painters of the 20th century, he is collected in most Australian galleries. He had many shows in his career, and travelled extensively around the world.

Whiteley suggestions:

• Whiteley
• Whiteley’s Corner
• Brett’s Way
• Endlessism

John Coburn (1925 - 7 November 2006) was an Australian painter. He is also known for his tapestries.
He won the Blake Prize for Religious Art twice.
All the major galleries in Australia have displayed his works. Two of his tapestries hang in the Sydney Opera House and seven hang in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C. His works are also displayed in the Vatican Museum, Rome.

John Coburn also was a lecturer at the nearby, National Art School, Sydney which was at Coburn’s time in the Old Darlinghurst Gaol which was converted to the East Sydney Technical College.

Coburn suggestions:

• Coburn
• John’s Corner
• John’s Way

Thanks to Simeon King from Anagram for sending this project our way

Have a go all you naming people.

Visit The Unnamed Precinct here

The long awaited and much loved Bugle has hit the streets, sadly for last time it seems, in Melbourne. The Monkey-Taunt issue gives the Minke Whale rights, a voice to the countless IKEA devotees, there are peeping toms, randy koalas, and 104.1’s Amish & Blandy.

The brain child of Sydney born, St Kilda breed satirist, absurdist, plain English writer and editor and radio announcer Andrew Pegler; The Bugle is an alternative idea space for politics, the news worthy, the media in mass and our beloved celebrity. Look out for your copy in cafés and bars everywhere, it’s a free and spirited labor of love.

Visit everything Bugle here

Designer and image maker Kat Macleod, from Ortolan, has put together her first show at Lamington Drive, which runs from November 7 to 29.

Kat has worked with the studio on a few projects over the years, notably the revered So Frenchy So Chic image making campaign, and as a collaborating image maker for the first Stephen paper campaign.

We wish Kat well in all her work and travels. Kat is a thoughtful, hardworking and inspired collaborator.

Get down and get yourself some, while we are lucky enough to have her in Melbourne.

Visit Kat’s studio here, visit Lamington Drive and the Jacky Winter Group here