The brief Show us what makes you an individual. Is it your heritage, your friends, your family? Is it what you love, your memories, your passions? Perhaps it’s the town you grew up in, or the languages you speak? It could be all of them; it could be one of them. What makes you an individual is what makes you different.
I submitted this design, made especially for the project:
And this is why it represents me:
This is a fantasy abstract self-portrait, exploring personal decoration, fashion and styling. It’s modern interpretation of tribal culture through graphic design.
I’m interested in how different cultures decorate themselves with jewelry, body markings, body modifications, patterns, piercings, masks, painting, tattoos, and headgear.
There is a lot of debate around modern African design aesthetic. I’m not claiming to know what it is or have the answer, but it is something I’m interested in exploring.
The graphic style is inspired by the bold geometric patterns, shapes and colours that are found in many traditional cultures. I also drew inspiration from the dynamism in Modernist Art.
I don’t necessarily have these ideas and academic references at the front of my mind when I design - they are just general themes I’m interested in exploring visually.
Since seeing the The Sundance Gourmet Coffee logo I designed being carved out of chocolate (being Belgian, this was a great moment of pride and joy), I really enjoy seeing logos I design being made out of different material, or being applied to multiple surfaces.
The Sundance Gourmet Coffee logo made out of mint chocolate :) (sorry for the blurry photo, must have been really excited!)
Another proud moment was to see the Pioneer Unit logo embroided on Flexfit caps Rattex wearing the Pioneer Unit cap and teeshirt
Today I went to pick up a teeshirt order from Colourfast, for Travelstart. The order took a bit longer to be completed so I hung out in the printing and embroidering studio, watching the Travelstart logo we designed a few years back being applied on teeshirt and being embroided in front of my eyes by a 17 years old machine. Happy days :)
Screenprinting
The line of embroidering machines
Testing thickness of embroidery on a variation of the Travelstart logo
Next, wrapping the scooter in a giant Pioneer Unit logo ;)
Last week we completed a suite of banners for
travelstart.se, travelstart.no and travelstart.dk.
Generally banners are not something designers will put up in their portfolio but we really like this campaign selling great hotels at cheap prices! :)
Since coming back from Amsterdam, Damian has been busy designing amazing interfaces for a website, gadget (widget) and application for a financial company.
I shot 2 new music videos for Ben Sharpa:
The first music video, Calling It Quits is out July 31st. Expect the design of the album cover coming to life. It will be followed by Check The Evidence, a grimey and dark video, out early September. Both tracks are off his album B. Sharpa. Check out Ben Sharpa on last.fm.
We’re also starting pre-production for Driemanskap‘s upcoming music video Camagu from their new albbum Igqabhukil’ Inyongo. For this video, we’re joining force with Garth, an amazing cinematographer. Check out Driemanskap on last.fm.
Watch Snakes and Fakes, Driemanskap’s latest music video:
We shot a PR portrait for Hardy McQueen, Hit Entertainment, who is Pioneer Unit’s artist manager and booking agent.
We also shot a PR portrait for DJ Raiko, the official Pioneer Unit DJ!
Lastly, we’re travelling to Réunion Island, to document Ben Sharpa and Raiko‘s week long stay and performances at the yearly music festival Bato Fou. Ben Sharpa will be performing the 19th of June with DJ Raiko / Bato Fou on MySpace
Superb article about the role of beauty in visual interface. Absolute must read!
Research proves attractive things work better. How we think cannot be separated from how we feel. The next time a boss, client, or co-worker scoffs at the notion that beauty is an important aspect of interface design, point their peepers here.
Spot on: … So, how do we create trust in our application interfaces, aside from providing the basics, such as reliable information and uptime? By being attentive to visual design, for one thing. Attention to design details implies that the same care and attention has been spent on the other (less visible) parts of the product—which implies that this is a trustworthy product…
We’re very proud to announce that we’ve just completed photography and artwork for Driemanskap first album “Igqabhukil’ Inyongo”. It is their first album, released on http://www.pioneerunit.com/.
We conceptualised, styled, shot, graded and design the album cover. One of the meanings of the album title is “the gallbladder bursting” or “it has begun”.
The album is currently in production and will be released nationwide 11 May 2009. Driemanskap will be performing 2 “unofficial” launch parties to celebrate their new album:
- 21 April at Distrix Café in Cape Town
- 27 April at Back to the City in Newtown, Johannesburg.
Be sure to be there to catch their brand new material!
Click any image to view large version or see the complete set on Flickr
I’m back from Johannesburg, after 2.5 months spent working with JH-01 on create a User Experience Design framework for Standard Bank. I (Apartment Studios) was responsible for creating User Interface design standards.
Following on from our multi-channel visioning project for Standard Bank with Microsoft last year, jh-01 has been re-engaged to realise the user experience. The Bank wide roll-out of SAP is creating amazing multi-channel opportunities and a radically new user experience framework is required to encourage behaviour that will unlock the potential in practise. At present the roll out will cover most staff assisted channels (branch, call centre, mobile and back-office) and later will extend to remaining channels such as self-service.
Enterprise IA is one thing but enterprise UX is another. And of course the timelines are just short of insane. Nonetheless we’re loving the challenge and working incredibly closely with a client that’s brave enough to use the UX process as the basis for the front-end of the roll-out.
Highlights so far: conducting just short of 100 user interviews and observation sessions in one week with a team of 7 individuals as part of our research phase.
For those of you who don’t know Standard Bank they’re the oldest Bank in South Africa and one of the ‘big four’ in retail Banking. They have a strong international presence though not in the retail space. This project will impact 9 million customers (both personal and business) and over 10 000 staff members. What a rush!
The project was split into 2 phases for me: first an exploratory phase to enable me to familiarise myself with the project, the current systems, the current branding guidelines as well as the different types of users, journeys, and the UX strategy. Then the design phase, in conjunction with the IA and UD design team. Throughout both phases, user testings were conducted to test IA, wireframes and interface designs.
Indeed it was a rush, from the sheer size of the project to the JH-01 and Standard Bank team I worked with on this amazing project. What a perfect start to the year :)
Paula Scher looks back at a life in design (she’s done album covers, books, the Citibank logo …) and pinpoints the moment when she started really having fun. Look for gorgeous designs and images from her legendary career.
Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi asks, “What makes a life worth living?” Noting that money cannot make us happy, he looks to those who find pleasure and lasting satisfaction in activities that bring about a state of “flow.”
We’re so pleased that we played a small role in Travelstart.se being voted the 4th best website (of any kind) for 2008 in Sweden by Internetworld.se. UX design and re-branding didn’t go unnoticed! Go team go!
The judges used the following criteria to come to their decision:
‘Developing Power’ - what has happened since last year?
The Sharpaganda Theory: Lesson 1 12” vinyl is shipping worldwide today!
Own a piece of hip hop history with this limited edition 12” vinyl. With production by Milanese, Dplanet and DJ Sibot, beautiful photography and artwork by Apartment Studios and the sickest lyrical delivery on this, or any other planet, even if you don’t own a record player you need to cop this!
The beautiful Ben Sharpa 12” vinyl, The Sharpaganda Theory: Lesson 1 is coming out on 17th November! This limited edition 6-track EP, which is being released by French label Jarring Effects, includes an instrumental of Off the Rails and an acappella of Hegemony. The fantastic cover photography and artwork is by our very own Anne-Sophie.
For our French-speaking friends…
Figure incontournable du Hip Hop Sud-Africain, Ben Sharpa ne vous est pas inconnu si vous avez suivi l’ouverture amorcée par Jarring Effects vers l’Afrique du Sud (Sibot, Playdoe, Fuck’N’Rad…). Déjà présent sur le coffret Cape Town Beats sorti en 2007, le titre Into The Black a vite fait parler de lui, acclamé par bon nombre de radios indépendantes (France, Canada, UK, Allemagne, Hollande, Belgique). Il est également remarqué par l’animatrice de la BBC1, Mary Anne Hobbs, bénéficiant alors d’une visibilité inespérée sur les ondes Anglo-Saxonnes.
Sur ce brillant premier maxi composé de quatre titres, une instru et une acappella, Ben s’est entouré de producteurs renommés tels que l’anglais Milanese (Warp / Planet Mu) ainsi que les sud-africains Sibot (Playdoe, Real Estate Agents / Jarring Effects) et Dplanet (Pioneer Unit). Un terrain de jeu accidenté qui colle à merveille à l’univers et au flow de ce rappeur surdoué. Le chaînon manquant entre Hip Hop US et Grime UK.
Précommande exclusive en vinyl 12” et numérique sur cd1d dans les jours à venir.
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What that basically says is that the 12” is dope and you can pre-order it at cd1d.
We just got the new B. Sharpa t-shirts back from the printer and they’re looking fresh!
The design is based on the 12” label on the B. Sharpa vinyl (we even included the copyright text for added authenticity!). The t-shirts are white with black and metallic silver print. There’s a black PU shield on the sleeve too.
We’ve also got new stock of the classic PU Shield Logo t-shirts. We’ve changed the design slightly to include a metallic silver star on each sleeve instead of the logo. The last batch sold out very quickly so order today!
The time has finally come!! B. Sharpa by Ben Sharpa and Bread and Butter by Rattex drop today!
We believe that these are two of the most important albums in South African hip hop history and we’re really excited to finally get them out.
- Read the B. Sharpa press release here
- Read the Bread and Butter press release here
Both albums areshould be available in Look & Listen and Musica across South Africa. If you don’t see the albums on the shelf, ask at the counter. If they don’t have them in stock, demand that they order them! Don’t take no for an answer!
Where to Buy:
- Look & Listen (across SA)
- Musica (across SA)
- Ozmic’s Ritual Store, Nr. Carfax, Newtown, Johannesburg
- Mabu Vinyl, Rheede St., Cape Town. (021) 423 7635
- Shelflife, 119 Loop St., Cape Town. (021) 422 3931
- Hi-Five, 34 Kloof St., 5 Mooikloof Centre, Cape Town. (021) 422 5455/6
- African Music Store, 134 Long St., Cape Town. (021) 426 0857
If you want to make real cash selling Pioneer Unit music in your hood, join our street team today! Click here to read more.
If you’re in Joburg on the 29th October, make sure you come through to the joint album launch party. Check out the Facebook event page here.
Brand new teeshirt to celebrate Ben Sharpa’s album release this October: B. Sharpa!
Available from www.pioneerunit.com
Silver and black on white tees / XL and XXXL
We’re rewarding ourselves for so much awesomely good and hard work on Pam Golding Intranet with new tattoos.
My new piece will designed by myself and Tyler B Murphy. He’s opened a new studio on Long Street, behind MILK,, and I just can’t wait to add to my collection of tats,, I’m planning to get 2 sleeves, highly decorated yet simple and very graphic, starting with the left arm.
Tyler has started a design from references from 1800 German design and I’m soon taking a day off to carry on with the drawing, watch this space!!
PS: This is Tyler’s business card. Contact him on tyler130 [at] gmail [dot] com to get some of his style on your skin,,
Thank you to Andrej Waldegg for providing AAVA (Apartment Applied Visual Arts) with his latest font, Grafinc (order here) which we’re using for AAVA visual identity.
We absolutely love Grafinc and its urban construction feel, perfect for AAVA!
Thank you Andrej for the extra touch up and luuuuurve to the final visual identity design,, we feel all Valentine’s day special :)
Whilst research a visual identity project, I found Kamon Flash. They hav a library of Japanese Family Crest available for download in vector format. They’re absolutely beautiful!
Use and abuse, as per website notice: All datas here are made by myself by real tracing jpeg data or pictures. Family crest itself is public domain in Japan therefore no worrys about copyright. I also cast it off so you can use either personal or business way.
_”25 year old Kris Hewitt a.k.a “KRONK” is one of South Africa most promising graphic designer/ illustrators, his recent toy collaboration on the with global toy company “KIDROBOT” has given him international recognition as a world class “toy artist.”
His “GINGERBREADDUNNY” series are now highly sought after collectors items and will be on exhibit and up for auction at SHELFLIFEGALLERY on THURSDAY,13THDECEMBER 2007.
In addition various new artworks will be on for sale and KRONK himself will painting live and doing signings!
Plus there will be a fresh line up of Dj’s, yummy snacks and drinks available all night!”_
WoOooo,, just got our beautifully printed promo posters for Pioneer Unit tees.
The posters will be up in SHELFLIFE, SA’s premier graffiti supply, streetwear and sneaker store who will be stocking our hot Pioneer Unit tees during the festive season.
PS: Thanks to Digital Bureau for such great prints at low price and quick turnaround, Mitch, you are a star!
We’ve just completed the new Pioneer Unit release Planetary Assault album cover.
Pioneer Unit commissioned Apartment to direct the photoshoot and cover design of their upcoming album. The concept is taken from the album:
The Assault
We’re smashing our way into the South African Hip Hop industry with 21 blazing tracks, bringing fire straight from the streets eKasi, the dusty Vlaktes and the grimiest clubs of Cape Town.
Africa is the birthplace of rhythm. Through the slaves, that rhythm found its way to the Caribbean where it evolved into Reggae and Dancehall. From there it travelled to the US where it became
Hip Hop. Soon after, it spread out around the world, and eventually back to Africa, constantly evolving and mutating on its way.
Planetary Assault represents one completed circle in Hip Hop’s journey. We’re keeping that journey alive by masterminding the production of African Hip Hop that continues to blaze trails around the world.
Planetary Assault reflects the many influences that have shaped the course of Hip Hop today. Listen closely and you will hear everything from classic Boom Bap, to Dancehall and Dub, to Electro, Detroit Techno, UK Grime and of course the sounds of Africa. All these influences are brought together to launch an epic battle for the future of South African Hip Hop.
Our troops have been working tirelessly in secret labs and industrial warehouse locations across Cape Town and the Cape Flats to bring a revolutionary new sound to shock and awe the complacent industry. We assembled 19 of Cape Town’s most fearsome MCs to spit dungeon-dirty raw truth in a combination of 6 of South Africa’s 11 official languages. This elite cadre smashed down cultural, language and political barriers, as well as inter-crew rivalry, to come together to launch the assault. The revolution has begun.
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