Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Motherland, where work is worse

The entrance of W+K New Delhi.





Hey Audrey!

I visited the Delhi branch of world-renowned agency W+K. In their entrance they have a very striking mantra "Work is Worship", made entirely out of pencils. While I was contemplating this impressive piece I realized that I could never work at W+K, as I really don't believe work is worship. I think a Cinema Nouveau film is worship, or a pedicure, or a yoga class, but work.... work is worse. And I think most people in India would agree with me. But any way, I met with Dan Berkowitz, an art director who recently moved from South Africa to Delhi and who is now a creative director at W+K. He loves the mix of smells in Delhi. He explains that driving around on his moped, he can go from sniffing sewerage to frangipani back to sewerage to cinnamon in just seconds. He also gave me some copies of Motherland, a cool magazine that W+K Delhi publish. It contains stunning photography, and excellent lay-outs, but unlike most trendy designery magazines also has well researched and written articles about contemporary Indian issues. I really enjoyed the in-depth article on the role that astrology plays in Indian Society. How interesting that one could even get a Masters degree in astrology here. See, if I had been working, I would never have read that!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Avasara Academy


Mauve and sage, or lilac? And for the background: step and repeat lotus patterns, a soft photo, or big transparent lotus leaves?
Design of a different page.


My favourite version: add a bit of spicy energetic red!


The red colour scheme applied to another page.

Hey Audrey!

Whilst I was working at Ishan Khosla Design in New Delhi, I was asked to contribute to the design of the Avasara Academy website. Avasara Academy is situated in a tranquil valley outside Pune, and is a secondary school where exceptional young women are able to reach their full potential. The client really liked the website design of the African Leadership Academy, and wanted something similar. As you can see we investigated many colour schemes and background patterns, and the final result can be seen here.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Movember silliness

Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire during the filming of 'Funny Face' (1957).

Hey Audrey!

I am surrounded by maverick moustaches, which will hopefully only last another day or two. Good to know that you had your moment with them too.