Design Discovery - Milan

Hidden Archway in Milan.

Upon strolling the cobbled street of Milan you can really get a sense of how truly beautiful the city is in every sense. Fashionistas strolling back and forth between Chanel and Louis Vuitton, the smell of italian coffee wafting throughout the hidden alleys and the warm and welcoming nature of the italians. Everything in the city looks ascetically pleasing and the architecture is so decadent and detailed it takes your breath away. My dad decided it was a brilliant idea to wander off into the busy city of Milan, without a map and without speaking a word of Italian. However it was definitely a more exciting way to explore the city as you literally didn't know what was around the corner. We were walking down a local street admiring the venetian style decor on the exterior of the buildings, lined with identical pillars when suddenly I noticed something different about one of them. the building had the same generic pillars flanking its sides however the floor of the archway appeared to be glowing. I looked up and saw this amazingly decadent gold creation within the ceiling of the archway. A very cool and very unexpected design discovery.

About me - The most interesting thing that I've found...

The most interesting thing that i've found...

Okay so what is the most interesting that i've ever found? 

I've found that people can be very kind when we don't deserve it. Equally I've found that people can be hardest on the people that deserve our love the most. I've found that Love is a word used far too frequently but sometimes not enough. That hate is a strong word some use when they don't mean it. I've found that I don't like the taste of meat or fish even though once upon a time I ate spam. I've found a love of music and a passion for design. I've found that sometimes being overly focused on something can be a bad thing and that i'm my worst critic. I've found amazing friends in unlikely places and situations that I'm so thankful for. I've found the kindness of strangers touching and it inspires me to become a better person. I once found a stray cat in the park. I fell very fond of said cat and have looked after it for 12 years. I've found out the hard way that bad things happen to people that are the least deserving. I've found that we can't do anything to stop the course of nature and that fate can be cruel. I've also found that fate can be an amazing thing and I believe that everything happens for a reason. I've found answers within my own questions and now I question my answers. I've found that i'm not a very good listener, i'm more of a talker but thats okay. So the most interesting thing that i've found doesn't really exist. I've found out a series of interesting things and i'm continuing to find out more everyday. I haven't found out the most interesting thing yet but maybe one day I will.

About me - Inspiration situation - New York

...Inspiration Situation...

Big Cities.

The buzz of the early morning commuters, the sounds of shops opening and being set up, the way the  sun reflects off the panels of the buildings like a laser beam cutting through the city. Big cities serve as massive inspirations to me both architecturally and personally. I believe that 9am on a Monday morning is the perfect time to see the soul of any city, to capture an inside glimpse into a different culture. Visiting New York last year was a dream come true to any creative and as I expected the city inspired me greatly. Walking around Manhattan was one thing, however seeing the city that never sleeps from the sky was something else. I was lucky enough to have a helicopter tour of Manhattan and Brooklyn and looking down on the metropolitan mass beneath me was amazing and inspiring. 

Viewing these massive structures from a helicopter really gave you a feel of how broad and diverse New York really is. This vast concrete jungle I saw looming fiercely above my head could now be viewed as an intricate Tetris grid turned horizontal. I'll never forget my time in New York. 

About me - Inspiration situation - Plane Journeys

...Inspiration Situation...

Long plane journeys.

From a very young age i've been lucky enough to travel to various countries with my parents, this sense of adventure is something that has really inspired me. The anticipation of a new journey, the excitement on the way to the airport, the physical sensation of taking off in an aeroplane and finally the experience of a new culture are all things that massively inspire me. As a musician and as a designer I find that my inspirations are synonymous between the two. Sitting by the window on an aeroplane and looking out at the vast earth beneath you can really change the way you see and think about things. Whilst in this position I feel surrounded by creativity and I've developed ideas and written songs, in fact some of the best songs i've ever written have been constructed 30,000 feet above sea level!

About me - Self-portrait

I decided to use a tablet interface within Photoshop to create my 'Self-Portrait'. Using a recent photograph of myself as a guide I created a colour line-drawing copy of myself. I found that the use of multi-tonal layers, all of varied opacity to be highly effective in recreating a realistic skin tone.

About me - Things I won't miss about home VS things I will

No there really isn't....

5 Things that I won't miss about home...

1. My crazy geriatric neighbours.

Imagine the stereotypical lovely old couple that live next door to you, Martin and Linda*... they go to bingo every tuesday and have 4 cats. Now imagine the neighbours from hell. Neighbours that play their line-dancing music full blast at 2am, neighbours who have not once, but twice attempted to steal my cat. I will not miss Martin and Linda.

*Names changed to protect evil identity.

2. The forever ringing house phone from hell.

For some unknown reason cold-callers frequently and persistently ring my house phone. No I would not like to purchase the 60+ friends insurance I calmly tell the automated, robot on the end of the line. I shall not miss the landline calls from the terminator and 'I won't be back'. (Until December).

3. My sister's antics.

I have a darling 13 year old sister, who I also like to refer to as 'The Volcano'. At times we are the best of friends however she likes to borrow steal my things constantly, a particular found memory of mine is the time she individually hid my make-up around the house, garden and attic. What are sisters for? (no seriously).

4. Cat Sick.

I have two cats, Rosie and Minnie, however I feel there is a certain tension in the house as the cats like to be treated like humans. In return they act like humans, eating curry/ marmite sandwiches/ crisps, when our backs are turned. However the harsh reality soon kicks in that unfortunately Rosie and Minnie aren't humans and their bodies soon remind them (mentally and physically). The aftermath is not a pretty sight. 

5. Cat screaming wake up call.

Whilst on the subject of the female feline members of the family another wonderful event springs to mind. Rosie is fond of sleeping on my window sill above my bed, this I do not mind. However Rosie has issues with basically every other cat, instead of dealing with these issues calmly... (hissing and walking away) she chooses to scream at other cats when they pass by my window. Its a haunting sound like no other, and strays from the stereotypical rooster awakening one witnesses in films and could possibly lead to cardiac arrest. 

About me - 10 interesting facts

1. I'm a Vegetarian.

I've been a vegetarian for about fifteen years believe it or not! However I feel that i've gone from one extreme to the other as pre-vegetarianism I consumed the worst types of meat possible... think good old spam. In actual fact i'm pretty sure that can't really be classified as 'food' let alone 'meat' so I take it all back.

2. I lived in Indonesia.

A random but very true fact that I did indeed live in Indonesia for 6 months of my early life. Granted I cannot recall a detailed account of my time there as I was quite young. However hearing the amazing stories from my parents and seeing the photographs that documented our time there, paired with the fragments I can remember I feel very lucky. 

3. I'm a musician.

I'm an extremely musical person, without music I wouldn't be the person I am today. I love the way music has the ability to transform a mood, inspire an idea and relax the soul. I'm self taught and I can play the; piano, guitar and the drums.

4. I love to travel.

Travel is something that has inspired both my art and my music. I believe that everyone should travel as much as possible during their lifetime as it can really influence and change you as a person for the better. My favourite places are; Los Angeles, Goa and Colorado. 

5.  I played for England.

I'm really into sport and i've been lucky enough to represent England as a part of the U19 England Rounders team. This involved playing international matches against countries such as Italy and Spain.

6. I've never broken a bone.

I feel that after posting this fact I may regret it... but i've never broken a bone. I am however joining the lacrosse team at Kingston University so I hope I don't find myself having to amend this post!

7. I can hold my breath for 1 minute... (1min 7s to be precise)

The average person can hold their breath for 30 second before having to gasp for air, however this is due to more mental reasons than physical reasoning. I can hold my breath for over a minute due to being able to control my breathing, a skill i've developed through singing. 

8. I can fly a light aircraft.

When I was 15 years old my dad taught me how to fly a four-seater light aircraft, he's a commercial pilot now but used to be an instructor for the RAF. It went a lot smoother than when he attempted to teach me how to drive a car!

9. I've met my musical idol.

Random, but true fact. I've been lucky enough to meet my musical idol 'Ellie Goulding' Twice. An artist that I aspire to become as successful as one day and who has influenced my music development massively. 

10. I've been played on BBC introducing.

Last but not least one of my coolest facts. This past July BBC introducing played a track that featured my vocals 3 weeks in a row! My cover of 'beating heart' by Ellie goulding was remixed by my good friend 'Dan bennett' who is also a DJ. BBC introducing loved the track and are big supporters of both myself and Dan.