...and on drums:

The 97th Archbishop of York, Metropolitan of the province of York, Primate of England and Chancellor of The University of Cumbria, The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr John Tucker Mugabi Sentamu.

Go Archbish'!

First Years, Fifth Project - How Stuff Works

You can't produce a piece of design (or illustration) for something you don't understand. 

Design and Illustration are both complex subjects, but at their heart lies one constant question that has to be answered:

What are we trying to communicate?

To achieve the level of understanding necessary to have something to say, we need to undertake very thorough research.

Usually, if the research has been fruitful, the actual structure of the design falls quite easily into place. There will probably be an obvious sequence that needs to be followed.

This is what this project was about - take a subject the students don't know anything about, set them to thoroughly research it and then ask them to design a digital publication that explains how the thing works in seven, double-page steps.

It couldn't be easier.

Hala & Caitlin explain the lifecycle of a black hole

Isabel & Harriet know everything there is to know about how gliders fly.

Everyone's wondered about how astronauts go to the loo at some point in their lives. James and David found out how!

Zac and Marisa make MIR scanners a little less complicated.

Josh and Harry clearly understand the inner complexities of the Thompson Submachine Gun.

Here's all you ever wanted to know about oil rigs from Edward & Sun.

Two stroke or four stroke? There's only one way to find out. Let's ask Emma & Aaron.

Submarines seem to be able to go up and down quite easily. Let's find out how from James, Lewis and Sarah.

Grufts™ 2014 - NSS (Not Safe for the Squeamish)!

Luckily very few of our blog posts carry any form of health warning, but this one does!


We must warn you that we are about to show you images so disturbing that in all probability they will sear themselves into your memory, haunt your waking hours and provide an endless source of material for all of your future nightmares.

Still interested in reading on?

Very well then, Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, welcome to our own (non-Kennel Club approved) Pedigree Dog Show...



For the last week our second year Design and Illustration students have been breeding (well, making actually) their own pedigree pooch, bred to very exacting Grufts™breed specifications.


Rather like the similarly named 'Crufts' (we must get our lawyers to look into that) Grufts™ features many preliminary rounds devoted to specific breed types. The best in each breed going through to compete in the world famous 'Best in Show' with one of them becoming the ultimate 'Show Champion'.


Let's have a look at a day that produced a roller coaster of emotions...


Waiting to be called to the judging ring, a clearly nervous Shona (21) and her Secret Service Dog. Please note the cunningly hidden arse-rifle and worryingly situated 'grabbing arm'.


As you can see, the Secret Service Dog was a hotly contested round. However, Shona (still 21) needn't have worried as her magnificent beast came through to victory!


This Secret Service Dog couldn't take the pressure and collapsed. Happily it was revived by the application of a few staples and some strategically placed masking tape.


Here's the winner of the Huntin', Shootin' & Fishin' Dog round. Please note the sensible head ware and highly practical 'Marigold' leggings (for boggy going).

Here's one you won't forget in a hurry...

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it's a lighter than air Dirigible Dog. This one was actually rocket powered!

Designed by Sir Jonathan Ive, the Apple I-Dog in brushed aluminium and perspex.

Here's a pair of Hipster Dogs, commonly seen on the streets of Shoreditch and Hoxton.

How could the mind of someone so angelic looking (Rhian, 21), crate such a mentally scarring, horrific aberration (The Sausage Dog) of a beast?

Liam (21) with his Mighty-Morphin' Dog. In its natural state (left) and after a lightening-quick (2 minute) transformation into a massively impressive robot (right).

'Mr. Bond, we've been expecting you...' 

Lauren, Becki and Hannah (all 21) with their respective Laptop Dogs.

In the 'Champions Ring'. 

The 'best in show' judging was conducted by top canine experts and T.V. personalities Mr. Peter Purves (right) and Ms. Clare Balding (centre).

The judges champion and 'Best In Show' was Miss Lauren Mines (who resolutely remains 21) and her Lap Top Dog 'Lady' (Lady Gaga-d'Gucci-Acer-Intel-4GB RAM-von Ribbentrop-Marmalade).

Here's Grillust's very own judge Mr. Dwayne Bell (33). The expression would seem to indicate that he's clearly been impressed with 'Lady's' exquisite hindquarters.

Alongside the judge's champion there was a 'popular vote' winner. Here's a delighted Liam Robinson (21) with his Mighty-Morphin' Dog 'Timmy'.

All in all, an excellent event that will become part of the social calendar in no time at all.

Christmas Lunch - The Changshu Six Take on the Grillust Staff and Win!

This semester we've had six students studying with us on an exchange from Changshu Institute of Technology (C.I.T.) in China.

The 'Changshu Six' as we've taken to calling them, comprise Sebrina, Sun, Li, Lisa, Tina and Xenia (all 21).

They've been working really hard on their University work and in only a short time have produced some excellent work.  They've certainly thrown themselves wholeheartedly into British university life and have had a great time.

We've really enjoyed teaching them but sadly they'll be leaving us just before Christmas. To wish them 'bon-voyage' we thought it would be good to let them experience a full Christmas lunch for the very first time...


Just before 'kick-off'. Plates fully loaded with sprouts, turkey, potatoes (boiled and roast), parsnip, carrots, stuffing, piggies in blankets etc.

 Lisa photographing the fine western cuisine for the folks back home.

 Tina and Sun quickly get to grips with the Christmas cracker. Li doesn't look so sure..

 Two wise men.

 A victorious Sun is the first to polish off her 'mains'. One nil to C.I.T.

Charismatic illustration lecturer Dwayne Bell (33) 'throws down the gauntlet' with round two - christmas pudding...

...but Sun's more than a mach for him. Two nil to Changshu!

Year One, Fourth Project

I know, I know, Grillust Blog posts are a little like buses, nothing for days and then suddenly they all come along together.

Here's the project that immediately followed animation, two weeks devoted to drawing.

We believe that all our students should be confident image makers. That could be illustrators producing convincing, complex artwork or graphic designers producing a quick, plausable sketch for a sheet of packaging visuals.

Underpinning any ability to draw has to be a thorough understanding of what the artist/designer is actually seeing.

Perspective, in particular, helps explain what we see in that wonderfully complicated three dimensional world that surrounds us...



Here's a survey of some of the work they produced:

Emma Wrigley (21) with some thumbnail sketches for illustrations.

Sarah Nevison (21) exploring a variety of materials

Xenia Yu (21) explores advanced spiral staircase construction  and exhibition design (amongst other things)

Harriet Easterbrook (21) demonstrates how to create a room from a gridded floor plan and a certain obsession with cylindrical objects.

Finally, Xiaoping Sun (21) applies her understanding of the principles of perspective to the 'real' world.

WTF?

Don't ask. Just don't.

Year 0's invade Maryport:save bird, draw, eat, leave.

As part of a 12 week 'Visual Literacy' module, year zeros (but heroes) recently took a day trip to sunny Maryport to do some drawing and generally take in the sights and atmosphere of the historic coastal town.


When we visited, Maryport was COLD (about -45 by our reckoning) and it colder still when we got down to the harbour.




As well as drawing, some of the students done a little bit of animal rescuing. Alex (21. She talks to the animals) can be seen here with some kind of small bird that she rescued from a train station bin after it walloped it's head off a pane of glass and landed amongst the litter (Granted, it only hit the glass because the students were acting as if they'd never seen a chaffinch in all their puff and it was trying to get away from their flapping arms and booming voices). She bore it's weight for 30 minutes or so before it buggered off without so much as a thanks.
Note Tebitha's (21) look of abject disgust and 'along for the ride' 2nd yr Katie's (21) look of "I'm not in the slightest bit bothered by all this bloody fuss".




Lunch.
When in a coastal town you are duty bound to hunt out a chippy. FACT!



Happiness is deep-fat fried in batter with curry sauce. Apparently.


After grub, drawing...




"The view's quite good but not as good as this text from my Mum", says Oli (21) whilst Alex (21, still) implements her renowned 'sneaking into the side of a photo whilst looking innocent' move.


Thanks Maryport, you were great. We'll be back next year. With hats. And gloves. And massive thick coats.