Illy words

I have recently done some illustrations for 'Illy words', a book-zine produced by Corraini for Illy coffee. The theme for the issue is everything Italian, and my part was to illustrate some unusually named Italian dishes, including 'Salad of escaped anchovies', 'Heartbreaker burger' and 'Rice and gold'. Images appear alongside interviews with the two Italian chefs who conceived these dishes - renowned chef Gualtiero Marchesi and Cristiano Meneghin, who makes Italian street food in London. 

 

Association of Illustrators award for COOP poster!

I am very happy to be selected as a winner at the AOI awards, in the Research and knowledge communication category. The brief was to design a poster for COOP, Italy that aims to present ideas about sustainable living in a simple and clear way. It was a collaboration with Italian publisher Corraini Edizioni who I work with regularly, and the second part of a larger project about education in schools, called Sapere COOP. The poster will be used as part of EXPO 2015 in Milan, with the general theme 'Feed the Planet, Energy for life'. Here is the final image and an early sketch!

Grafici Mobili exhibition

I was recently asked by Corraini studio and 121 bookshop to take part in an exhibition as part of design week in Milan. Grafici Mobili is a poster exhibition in which Graphic designers and artists re-interpret designer objects or pieces of furniture graphically. My chosen object was the 'ball clock', designed by George Nelson in 1948. I chose to re-invent it as a solar system, with the sun in the middle and the planets surrounding it. I had to include several dwarf planets as well to get the number up to 12! Here is the inspirational clock and finished poster.

The exhibition opened yesterday and runs until May 5th.

Work for COOP, Italy

Earlier this year, I worked with Edizioni Corraini on a project for the Italian Cooperative. The project explains the work of the COOP, who for the last 30 years have worked extensively with schools, providing many interactive workshops for children. These focus on educating young consumers to help them make good, responsible choices about what they what they are buying, and to become 'aware consumers'. 

The information pack comes in an illustrated envelope, and consists of a sixteen page graphic novel, an  illustrated essay and one of several regional texts which contain details of workshops available. More information and an online version of the project can be seen on the project website! Design by Pietro Corraini.

Jack and the Beanstalk….

…and Bologna

I’ve just got back from the Bologna children’s book fair, which was brilliant and very inspiring, if a little overwhelming – it is absolutely huge! Lots of beautiful books, particularly from the French publishers and some of the Italian, all wonderfully printed and produced.  And of course the delicious food and sunshine made it all the more enjoyable!

Jack and the Beanstalk is my latest book for Edizioni Corraini – it’s the traditional story simply illustrated and available in Italian and English. Here are some spreads plus a couple of pics of my books at the Corraini stand.

I also signed some books at the amazing Co-op Ambascatori (not sure of the spelling.. but it was something like that) – a  book shop, but also an Italian food emporium, restaurant, and wine bar (with a large selection of beer too)! What more could you want? 

 

Italian table linen

You could eat your dinner off it!

More spaghetti – but this time on a tablecloth… twisting and turning until it becomes an elephant’s trunk, or a giraffe’s tail…. Flat design are a new company based in Italy who produce 100% linen tablecloths, runners, napkins, placemats and so on. For their first collection they have asked a number of designers and artists to contribute designs to be printed or embroidered on the linen – this is mine. The collection will be launched next month at a furniture fair in Milan. Exciting!