David Chinyama

With help of an acquaintance I had the privilege to meet and chat with David Chiyama, mixed media artist and designer, earlier this afternoon. I will try a few words to sum him up; down to earth, smart and gifted. He was so gracious as to take me to his residence and have a look at his latest commission that same afternoon. It was a huge piece of work, multiple and individual panels all going to one client (In total 9 pieces altogether,but you should have been there).

I really enjoy the fact that there are such talented guys here in Zim who keep working and perfecting their calling. He's been professionally around for nearly over a decade and has made a real name for himself in the local and international art scene. His pieces left me...uplifted, he really has a way with rich colours that reach out and grab you. There's such abstract art as to jolt the viewers focus and make little impact on their subconscious. His pieces ease you into them, giving a sense of being alive and tactile.

Showing examples on screen does not come close to doing justice, I highly recommend anyone interested in seeing his work to do so personally at National Gallery permanent collection and elsewhere. Here are a few links to help get you started and to provide more information about the artist/designer himself. As for me I will continue to follow his career closely, and hopefully invest in some of his pieces someday soon.

http://seedgallerynewyork.com/bio.david.html

http://www.blackart.co.za/category/david-chinyama/

http://www.nationalgallery.co.zw/

Looking East

Seriously considering China as an option for tshirts, at the least they make them, here its almost like some companies are practicing alchemy (experiments to make gold from mixing chemicals lead etc) , and we know that doesn't work. Its a shame really. :(

Zambia Tourism

Read up on a global competition to design anew brand identity for Tourism Zambia, from around 2000 entries 5 logos and slogans where short listed and one design/ slogan was picked. I reckon that whoever organized the comp would have had a better chance of sourcing from within the Zambian design community instead. For more info check the read the piece on the comp at this blog; logodesignlove.com

The Short list

 
The winning logo was created by Michel Scarantino.The logo is currently
being used on the Zambian Toursim website.

Africas true size (Infographic)

Here's an infograph I found when I went to look for something cool about Africa, its rather humbling how big we really are as a continent. It also begs the case that we can do so much more here, in time.

"Africa is big. But just how big? Check out this infographic to better understand the enormity of the African continent."

Agro Branding

Working on some Agro based branding this month.  Not many references out the on the net but have uploaded the few that I could find. Happy people can recommend any more examples on this particular field of branding. Will put up more if I find any.

Considering that Zimbabwe is still an agronomic based economy, wouldn't it be prudent to spruce up branding for this particular area? Hmm...

Cotton, a Kingdom for Cotton…

Have been wrestling with the fact that those aspiring be create their own unique labels may have to source t-shirt material from China. I understand that due production costs here in Zim getting a t-shirt made will set you back $5 if you are lucky. Taking into consideration that printing in general on tees can range from between $1-$8, it understandable why guys would look around for more cost effective deals. And if it means sourcing from the East, hey all good. Keep in mind though that there’s no guarantee that you will get your money’s worth unless you have the tightest contacts and may have already travelled to China, it’s still seems like a huge gamble. 

May be I am looking at it with too much of a cynical eye. You hear horror stories of real poor quality material being used to cut down on costs. Is it too much to hope that one can source for 100% tees locally from local companies? Or is it just a mind-set engrained  from years of economic downturn?

Provokator identity + process

I don't speak Russian but this visual identity speaks to me. Its crazy, zany over the top. The kind of design work we should see here in zw. Below is a brief summary of the work with links.


Provokator is a multi-brand clothes store chain, well-known among extreme sports fans, as well as those people who like stylish fancy clothing. The task was to create an entire brand image and expand brand presence on the web. Transformer Studio (http://transformerstudio.ru) developed  the visual identity, online store, microsite, magazine and outdoor ads. Behance.net.