School Related: Design Tips
29 November, 2009 at 07:44 | Posted in School Related | Leave a commentTags: Adobe, Art, Design Tips, Humber, Illustrator, Personal Brand, Social Media, Twitter
I’ve already written a post regarding the importance of your online Personal Brand, and I even included a link to my Personal Brand presentation. We’ve been discussing them in our Social Media class, and several students have shown their presentations to the class. The resulting discussion inspired me to create more of a niche within my class. What makes me unique among the peers that I will graduate with? I believe it is my design skills and interest in fine art, so I’m going to be focussing more on these topics on my Twitter and this blog.
My Twitter feed will feature an ongoing list of Design Tips. These tips will be relevant to public relations students and can be exercised when putting together basic reports and assignments. I believe it will also prepare them (you?) for more advanced design programs such as Adobe Illustrator.
I’ll be sure to compile the Design Tips and post them here periodically.
stephwereley.
Art: Exhibit Bits
28 November, 2009 at 12:56 | Posted in Art, Exhibit Bits, Photography | Leave a commentTags: AGO, Art, Beatles, Bowie, Burton, Canada, Film, Hirst, Jeff Koons, London, MoMA, Murakimi, Music, National Gallery of Canada, National Portrait Gallery UK, National Portrait Gallery USA, Photography, Portrait, Presley, ROM, Steichen, Style, Szilasi, Tate Modern, USA
If you enjoy contemporary art, you’re spoiled for choice. A wide range of works are currently on display in museums around the world, and your biggest problem will be finding the time to see them all.
The ROM has Vanity Fair Portraits until January 3, 2010. I’m planning a trip before Christmas.
The AGO is showing Edward Steichen‘s fashion photography and the exhibit ends on the same day.
The National Art Gallery in Ottawa is showing the gorgeous urban photographs of Gabor Szilasi [featured above] until January 17.
There are many Tim Burton worshippers out there, and they are likely congregating at the MoMA‘s Tim Burton exhibit.
I’m sad to be missing out on this one: London’s National Portrait Gallery is currently showing The 60s Exposed: Beatles to Bowie.
And it gets worse. On the other side of the Thames, the Tate Modern is showing Pop Life with works by Koons, Hirst and Murakimi.
And for those who book their travel plans early, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington is dedicating an exhibition to Elvis Presley. It starts January 8, 2010.
stephwereley
Style: Girls Like They’re Girls and Girls Like They’re Boys
28 November, 2009 at 11:49 | Posted in Inspiration, Style | Leave a commentTags: Design, Knightley, Leigh Lezark, London, Lula, Roitfeld, Sartorialist, Style
Have you ever heard the lyrics ‘East End Boys and West End Girls’ by the Pet Shop Boys? The phrase sums up my personal fashion style. London’s West End girls love playing dress up; they are unabashedly feminine. East End boys are equally dapper, forever seeking the perfect combination of shoes, trousers and jackets. It’s these two aesthetics, and their juxtaposition, that influence my wardrobe choices.
The photos below are excellent examples. I have a lot to learn.
sources: lula, the sartorialist
stephwereley
Update: Google Wave
28 November, 2009 at 10:45 | Posted in Random | Leave a commentTags: Google
Alas, the stars have decreed that I am worthy of an invitation to Google Wave.
Now I just have to figure out how the damn thing works.
stephwereley
Art: Jeff Koons
28 November, 2009 at 10:33 | Posted in Art | Leave a commentTags: Art, Jeff Koons, Sculpture
My favourite living artist is Jeff Koons. Toronto is well-aquainted with him following an appearance of Rabbit at this year’s Nuit Blanche.
His fans consider him a pop artist; his critics label his work shallow and trivial. I think they’re both right. He has openly admitted that there is no hidden meaning to his work. His bright colours, fun shapes and eye-catching imagery appear to be designed with the intention of appealing to the masses.
Rabbit hangs in Toronto’s Eaton Centre for Nuit Blanche.
The original Rabbit was made of stainless steel and took up an entire room.
His painting Lips is the result of a collage created by computers.
For $7,500 US you too can have a flower vase shaped as a West Highland Terrier.
His work appeals to me because its fun, optimistic, and utterly lacking in pretention. “A viewer might at first see irony in my work… but I see none at all. Irony causes too much critical contemplation,” said Koons.
If his massive stainless-steel balloon sculptures don’t appeal to you, maybe his refreshing honesty will.
stephwereley
School Related: Women in Comedy
15 November, 2009 at 15:22 | Posted in School Related | Leave a commentTags: Bee, Faris, Fey, Humber, Louis-Dreyfuss, Poehler, School Related, Seinfeld, Television, Witherspoon
My entire Organizational Communication Theory class recently interviewed Humber professor Lorne Frohman for the purpose of writing individual feature articles. I was able to get in a question, which focussed on Frohman’s extensive experience in comedy writing. One subject that came up during the interview was women in comedy, and how their role continues to evolve.
I immeadiately thought of some very talented ladies: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Samantha Bee, Anna Faris, Reese Witherspoon. But my favourite by far is Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Her work on Seinfeld entertained me to no end, and I love that her character was just as ridiculous, self-centered and neurotic as the boys.
Here’s a link to a 4:07 video of my favourite Elaine episode:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3BDY3tfs8M
Meanwhile, the feature article was very slow going. I discovered it’s difficult to write a feature in an active voice when talking about an individual’s past experience. I’ve completed it, but I don’t even want know how time time I spent on each of my 500 words! I titled the article Lorn Frohman Stars As The Reluctant Professor, because he’s a Jerry Lewis fan. Awful? So awful it works? We’ll see how that plays out.
stephwereley
My Manifesto
15 November, 2009 at 14:27 | Posted in Random | Leave a commentTags: Humber, Work Related, Writing
My Communication Planning Theory class provides the structure for professional communications. Essentially, it requires that every message you release, every dollar you spend, and every decision you make relate back to your goals. Does this media channel reach my target audience? Will this message inspire a change in behaviour? It’s all very practical. So much so, that I’ve started using these tactics in my personal life.
Where do I want to live? What do I want to acheive professionally? What do I want in my personal life? And how can money best be spent to bring me closer to my goals?
I recently started a manifesto as I way to organize all of these priorities. It’s very exciting because I have never been particularly ambitious, but recent successes have inspired me plan long-term goals for both my personal and professional life. I sincerely hope my enthusiasm inspires others to do the same.
stephwereley
Inspiration: TopShop London
12 November, 2009 at 08:24 | Posted in Inspiration, Style | Leave a commentTags: Inspiration, London, Style, TopShop
With fashion designers currently channeling the 1980s and 90s, the general consensus in retail stores seems to be ‘More is More.’ Check out this scene from TopShop’s flagship store in Oxford Circus in London. This photo may have been shot back in August, but the Brits are always ahead of us in the fashion trends – all the more reason to love ‘em.
stephwereley
Work Related: Rock’n'Roll Star
12 November, 2009 at 07:53 | Posted in Work Related | Leave a commentTags: Gallagher, Inspiration, Media, Music, Writing
5 Things a PR student can learn from a Rock Star
It’s no secret; I adore Noel Gallagher, songwriter formerly of Oasis. Not just for his musical ability, but for his professional success as well. “Wait a minute!,” you say. “He’s a rock star, not a CEO. He’s cocky, he cusses, and he’s a Media Relations nightmare.”
Here’s why you should pay attention anyway.
5. He’s ambitious. “If you’re not in it to be the biggest band in the world, you may as well pack it in now.”
4. He’s hard-working. He may be a successful rock star, but he’s still a professional. Journalists are so impressed that he shows up to interviews on time, they often mention it in their printed pieces.
3. He’s loyal. “[Our record label boss] would tell you: he thought for six months I’d blow him out because we had bigger offers. But I’m a man of my word, professionally.”
2. He appreciates good writing. He was recently quoted as saying “I hate the word” amazing. Agreed! It’s overused and deserves to be discarded along with exciting, unique, delighted and honoured.
1. He’s honest. There is much discussion these days of ‘keeping it real.’ And no one is more real than Noel Gallagher. If he thinks your band is awful and your new album’s crap, he will tell you. Even if you’re mates. In an era of constant celebrity spin, that sort of honesty is a revelation.
Now get to work on that solo album!
stephwereley
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