In Melbourne there is on average over 200 creative/design/graphic based lectures, events and random occasions a year. After twenty years of racking up a fair share of these events, it is easy to just go home and watch the television, or read a book, go to bed early, do a blog entry…

Johnathan Barnbrook came to Melbourne last week, and one was lucky enough to see his latest work and experience his ideas on life and design. It has been twelve years since one saw Barnbrook speak in Sydney, and his work has continued with being inspired by research, design craft and provocation. He spoke of many things and one idea that stuck was that his inspirations are often found in his neighbourhood, surrounds and environment – Psycho-geography as he put it, read more here via wiki, part of much our work is inspired too, by the design and ideas around us.

Random Barbies drying out

One is often presented with curious, yet everyday things. A gaggle of well loved dolls in need of a good dose of sunshine.

Sunny side what

Black, white and yellow – one the great colour combinations.

A sign to help sell more cars

Old school brands are a regular source of inspiration, chunky graphic marks symbols along with odd custom lettering.

A sign to help sell more carpet

It is a wonder that in 2010 with all the ideas and technology that business’s keep the clichés around to tempt and call to action

A sign for an Australian hand dryer

Australian design outcomes can be odd clichés

A sign that is about hunger

Hand lettered sign crossed with a wayfinding device. Odd clunky and not a university design education in sight.

A sign that is about future hunger

This lettering was probably done in less than ten minutes and yet one wonders what type this person could have produced if they found type design instead of roasting chicken.

A Melbourne 1950s tv station identity

In one’s wanders often signs of the past make their presence known

A poster in Glebe

The last time I saw this spot another great poster was in it’s place, see here

Luna Park Melbourne

Luna Park Sydney

Both Sydney and Melbourne have a Luna Park, an amusement park with heritage roots, and both have an enormous face as a point of entry. Except one seems friendlier.