Country bizarre

Came across this 70s journal, 'Country Bizarre', a paen to all things rural and very much following the 'small is beautiful' ethos, on thoughtful blog Caught by the River.

It was created by art students Bernard Schofield and Andy Pittaway, who, instead of creating an alternative rock mag like so many of their peers they decided to produce an 'alternative eco-magazine'. With talk of a 'gentle revolution', recording disappearing rural skills as well as practical 'how to set up your own pottery' articles, the combination of beautiful engravings and 70s typefaces make this hand-produced mag a real inspiration.

Thanks to the blog's dedication, all 12 issues have been meticulously scanned and are available for download here.

Look back

I quite enjoy the lull between Christmas and the new year. Doesn't feel too naughty to spend a day following my nose round the internet and stumbling over a few things of interest, catching up with other blogs and guardian articles I'd missed – and properly listening to some of my downloads over the last year. It's struck me how great a year it's been for women artists – in particular I've really enjoyed listening to Joanna Newsom's Have one on me (one lady and her harp), Robyn's powerful, thoughtful europop of Body Talk and Janelle Monáe's ArchAndroid, a spectacular, ambitious album that demands at least ten listens before you start to scratch the surface.

The Shingle House

Just read with interest about a new beach hut at the wonderfully desolate Dungeoness - created by NORD architects in collaboration with Alain de Botton's Living architecture project. Their goal is to enable all of us to experience cutting edge architecture through creating holiday homes by leading architects.

Dungeoness is more of a collection of shacks than a village proper,  a beautiful, unforgettable landscape whose inhospitable terrain means no proper foundations can be dug and no real vegetation aside from a few poppies and sea kale can grow. And it's right in the shadow of one of Britain's largest nuclear power stations. This amazing combination of nature, energy and isolation means it's been a destination for artists and dropouts seeking a new outlook on life. And it's at the end of the wonderful Romney Hythe and Dymchurch narrow-guage railway, that winds its way from quintessential beach resorts to this end of the line wilderness.

Drawing conclusions

Wired magazine is one of my favourite things, love the weird cover paper, love the abundance of illustration, love the fact that they write stories about what women are up to (as well as men), so I devoured their list of the 25 big ideas for 2011.

Number 22? They say that the key to problem solving is not writing it out but drawing it out, visualising the data, instead of opening Word. Which only reassures us graphic designers, eagarly drawing rectangles and spider diagrams in briefing sessions while other people write lists. Obama does it, allegedly, and so do 'visualisation' agencies such as Scriberia (image above from their work with Tate Modern).

That's organising the Christmas wishlist sorted then!

New work

I've had a pretty busy year and finally have got round to adding a project I worked on in early summer, a rebrand for SiteVisibility. They're a leading SEO agency in Brighton who are real experts in their fields, and, working with illustrator Kate Chesterton and Grimaldi Media, we created a look and feel that illustrated this 'thinktank' approach. Characters were created for project managers, web developers, creatives and R&D experts and combined with strong typography. See more at janehilder.co.uk.

The real London?

Saw an episode of the recent BBC series 'the beauty of maps', on which Stephen Walter's map of London, The Island was featured. Painstakingly created with oodles of personal details, facts – where his nan's house was, where Kate Bush went to college – make an impression of the real experience of London, streets away from your average A–Z.

Sunshine

One of the things I love about being freelance is being able to make the most of a sunny autumn day. We took the car east to Seaford yesterday and went on a blazing 22 miler, taking in some of the best sights in Sussex – Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters.

After a while, all consciousness of walking switches off – leaving your mind free to follow every fleeing thought. I find walking great for inspiration – the physical forces of the sun and wind on your face, the climbs and descents – really give me a perspective on projects that I'm working on.

Inspired!

Had a fab day wondering round west London with friend Claire Lowson this week, checking out some lovely retail spaces - Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Miller Harris & Monocle.

We kicked off the day at the Rose Bakery, Dover Street Market, and nattered on over a couple of cappucinos where Claire showed me these beautiful pieces of print from the V&A.

They're mind maps of English creatives from writers to musicians to fashion designers, sharing what artifacts in the collection inspires them. And ingeniously paper-engineered and printed by Gavin Martin. Design by Johnson Banks.

I love paper heart

Saw my lovely friend Nicole last night, whose new venture, Paper Heart has just opened for business. She's a one-woman artist/designer/printer who sells her own creations through etsy. All hand printed and finished. The moustache cards have gone down particularly well!

Black and white

What a rubbish August it's turning out to be... endless rain! Last weekend was particularly autumnal which gave us a chance to catch up on some black and white classics. L'Avventura by Antonioni, delicious, beautifully shot and constructed film from 1960, followed by Killer of sheep, a 'lost classic' from '77. Shot in the black suburbs of Los Angeles, the film follows middle class families trying to escape poverty and tedium, against an amazing soundtrack of Gershwin and Dinah Washington, among others. It was only formally released in 2007 after the music rights were finally cleared!

The world of Blexbolex

While in Berlin I also found this gorgeous children's illustrated book, featuring the work of Berlin-based French artist Blexbolex. Simple block colours on rough recycled stock show objects from around the year. Can't find much about him online, but did come across this gorgeous animated trailer for an Italian edition of another title. Click the link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i6zR24MQ7I&feature=player_embedded

Berlin street art

I recently spent a few days with my friend Eve in Berlin, staying in the Kreuzberg area of town – renowned for its street art. Here are just a few examples of some of the art on the neighbourhoods walls for all to see, my favourite bearing the legend: I don't wanna be u're friend on facebook'!

Asparagus

Been really enjoying the music of Kentish folk artist Chris Wood recently, in particular his new album Handmade Life. With songs of quitting jobs, the joy of allotments and spitfires flying overhead, he conjours warm, summer days perfectly. The haunting and sparse song, Asparagus, first heard late at night on the eclectic Late Junction on radio 3, is my favourite, where Chris likens two asparagus shoots to snakes fighting in the soil.

Reminded me of Heather Gatley's recent work for Waitrose Essentials, with her beautiful illustrations in watercolour of simple fruit and vegetables.

Tea time

Just popped to Bob's for some hobnobs. He had a brew on, so a chat about hot drinks in general ensued. He recommends mint tea before retiring for the night, and a concoction of milk, tumeric and salt for good digestion. I'm popping back tomorrow for a masala chai!

All about Eve

My friend Eve Poland recently opened her house to the public as part of the Artists' Open Houses of Brighton - which ran at the same time as the festival. This image, Purple Afro, is one of the latest series of screen prints she does – I just love the explosion of watercolour paint!

Spring clean

I've been pretty busy in my new role at Tileywoodman of late – working on some great Canon Europe briefs – their lens brochure and internal magazine to name a couple. Which means I've had little time to do the blog and show some work updates on my website. But today I've finally got round to sorting my mac out and doing a bit of a spring clean generally. So thought I'd share a brand identity I created earlier this year with Grimaldi Media of Brighton. It's for IRIS, a contemporary art network of five galleries in the UK, Belgium and France. The general starting point was the meaning of the word iris (the rainbow goddess in Greek mythology) and expressing creativity through bold circular shapes.

See more at http://iriscan.org/

Simple pleasures

I get three different trains to work, and by far the most pleasurable is the old diesel to Reigate. Beats the modern trains hands down by the simple benefit of open windows! Perfect for these early summery days.

Brand new studio

At Tileywoodman, we've been having a bit of a spring clean and a touch of paint - so welcome to our brand new studio, complete with blackboard wall. The word of the day and quotes from last night's Richard Morrison lecture compete for space with the work planner. Pop round for some tea!

Mooncup campaign

Anyone noticed this striking campaign in tube stations around London in the last month? A beautifully executed, fun, cheeky advertising campaign for Mooncup - the green alternative to tampax. Love the way they're bringing glamour to an 'ethical' product, and born in Brighton too. Are you with me sisters?

Brighton and back

Had a great ride along the front today - a trip that never fails to inspire. Chilli festivals, daytrippers, buskers and photography exhibitions go past quick as I whip by on the bike. Finished the ride with a quick paddle in the sea!

Minty's out for summer

Been a while since my last post - been pretty busy working with Grimaldi Media in Brighton on some great branding projects. And been asked to be creative director at Tileywoodman! With some great bluechip clients such as Canon, HSBC and Kimberly Clark, it's a great place to be - set right in the North Downs in a former stable block with a nice, bright, airy studio.

And today I finally got Minty out the cellar. With a bit of an oil she'll be as right as rain and down the seafront!

Sunshine!

After that eternal winter, spring has finally sprung – I celebrated by taking a walk through the park at lunch and out to the Greensand Way over looking where I'm freelancing a the mo. Had a few minutes' sunbathe and listened to the birds, insects and children playing – roll on summer!
See some amazing Holi pics (above) here at the Guardian's galleries.

Lucienne Day

Can't believe I've just heard of the sad news of Lucienne Day's death at the age of 93. An amazing, inspired textile designer, wife of furniture designer Robin, and a real design hero of mine. Read Jonathan Glancey's article on her here at the Guardian, where he says, "Lucienne was an unfailingly generous person, and a designer who knew how to balance the popular and the refined, or how to make the refined popular."

Mild green fairy liquid

While reading my pr-with-a-bit-of-editorial weekly, Stylist magazine, I see that Fairy Liquid is bringing back its iconic white bottle - to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Can't help but feel a bit of nostalgia for this packaging, when us resourceful kids of the 80s used to make all kinds of things from the empty bottle. A good, recession-proof stunt in my book!

Wolff Olins : Views - Middle Eastern brands

Doing a bit of a blog catch up this morning and read this interesting article posted on Wolff Olins 'views' page about the lack of front-of-mind Arab brands - and the potential to create real cut through in emerging markets in the Middle East. Having worked with a few ME clients, it's interesting to read. Click the here to read the article.

BrightType

Heading over to the BrightType evening, a three hour forum all about typography at the Sallis Benney theatre tonight, with a lecture by Bruno Maag, organised by the South Coast Design Forum.

Guilty pleasure

Don't know if it's illegal to watch Skins over the age of thirty but I really can't get enough of this programme! Cheers me up in the winter months. I just love the combination of great new actors, brilliant, unpredictable scripts, fab sound track and you never know who's gonna turn up as one of their parents next (all time favourite: Harry Enfield as Tony's depressed dad).

These two pics are from a character's sketchbook from episode 2 of the latest series, a sequence which ends in a gorgeous stop-frame animation. See - you never know what's gonna be up next.

East Beach

Headed west to Littlehampton to meet a friend for a good old catch up the other day - spent a couple of hours in Thomas Heatherwick's new(ish) East Beach cafe. Needless to say on a cold February it didn't quite look like the shot above! Enjoyed great food (beer battered fish + chips) and views in the surprisingly cosy interior. They even do film nights every couple of weeks or so, so a great reason to return. Got home very inspired after a good chinwag with my mate Claire.

Hat-Trick

Really looking forward to tonight's Hat-Trick lecture, courtesy of the Typo Circle at JWT. Big fan of their stuff, particularly enjoyed this recent work for Scottish Opera.

She's back

Been waiting with baited breath for the new season of Mad Men - and it's finally here - starts tonight on BBC Four. Which means the return to our screen of Peggy Olson - the hicksville secretary who transformed herself into copywriter with her very own office. Now we're approaching the mid 60s, I'll be paying close attention to the new fashion moves and all that wonderful attention to detail on set!