http://www.mad-keen.co.uk Ryan Dixon Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:15:14 +0000 http://www.mad-keen.co.uk en http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/490724/The-Londoner-print http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/490724/The-Londoner-print Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:15:14 +0000 Ryan Dixon 490724 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/490724/rd_1947_chaps_header.png" border="0" width="556" height="94" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/490724/rd_london_chap.png" border="0" width="600" height="780" align="left" /> Available soon as 297 x 420mm screen prints... http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/490724/The-Londoner-print http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/490623/Gamble-Reeves-identity http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/490623/Gamble-Reeves-identity Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:55:14 +0000 Ryan Dixon 490623 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/490623/rd_gr_header_4.png" border="0" width="556" height="94" align="left" /> Previous&nbsp;/&nbsp;Next image&nbsp;(1 of 2)<img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/490623/rd_gr_1.png" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/490623/rd_gr_2.png" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> The forward slash is most commonly used to replace the use of the word ‘and’ as well as being used to make clear a strong joint between words or phrases, such as “the Hemingway/Faulkner generation”. The angle of the slash is taken from the letter ‘v’, which is also reflected in the angle created by the letter ‘g’ and the ampersand. I'm looking forward to working with Gamble & Reeves on the design and art direction of their stationery next. http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/490623/Gamble-Reeves-identity http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/490435/Killer-Heels-poster http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/490435/Killer-Heels-poster Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:22:54 +0000 Ryan Dixon 490435 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/490435/rd_kh_header_2.png" border="0" width="556" height="94" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/490435/rd_killer_heels.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="780" align="left" /> http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/490435/Killer-Heels-poster http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/320367/26-50-International-PEN http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/320367/26-50-International-PEN Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:41:28 +0000 Ryan Dixon 320367 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/320367/rd_2650_header2.png" border="0" width="670" height="385" align="left" /> These 50 words were written for 26:50 - a creative partnership between 26 and PEN, marking fifty years of the International PEN Writers in Prison Committee. I was paired with Ali Lmrabet, a journalist and editor from Morocco who was imprisoned in 2003 for 'undermining the monarchy' by way of comments in his satirical publication, Demain. A sad casualty of a dated regime, Ali had his sentence increased and fought his way through a hunger strike to eventually receive a royal pardon. Find out more about the project here. 26 is a diverse group of people who share a love of words, and believe their potential is hugely underestimated. Many of us work with words for a living, as writers, language specialists, editors, designers or publishers, but anyone who cares about words is welcome to join. Together, we hope to raise the profile and value of words not only in business, but also in everyday life. http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/320367/26-50-International-PEN http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/298958/London-1947 http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/298958/London-1947 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 08:16:14 +0000 Ryan Dixon 298958 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/298958/rd_1947_header.png" border="0" width="556" height="94" align="left" /> Previous&nbsp;/&nbsp;Next image&nbsp;(1 of 4)<img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/298958/rd_1947_1.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/298958/rd_1947_2.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/298958/rd_1947_3.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/298958/rd_1947_4.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> A couple of years ago I came across a handful of books at my local recycling depot which had been discarded. One of these books was a Wardlocks Guide to London from 1947 - the first to be published after the second World War. It even had fold out maps illustrating areas of the city damaged during The Blitz. But what struck me about the book, aside from the great adverts for 'tanning cream which guarantees to attract ultraviolet rays' was the language. Laconic and unashamedly honest. And, in many cases, the words are still pertinent today. This newspaper, printed by Newspaper Club, brings to life some of the best words through the use of typography. It measures 317 × 457mm and runs to 12 pages. It's limited to just 50 copies. Email me for one. http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/298958/London-1947 http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/276120/Mad-Keen-stationery http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/276120/Mad-Keen-stationery Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:46:07 +0000 Ryan Dixon 276120 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/276120/rd_stamps_header.png" border="0" width="556" height="94" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/276120/rd_stamp_1.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> I'm not a freelancer, per se. Nor am I setting up my own design business. But the projects that I do in my spare time were being sent out missing something. And I won't confess to having thought of this idea first. There's lots of other people doing this. Indeed the shop where these stamps were made mark their own brown paper bags with stamps too. And, my old dad had his own self-inking stamp for making business cards when he had his own company some 20 years ago. But what these stamps do is give me flexibility. The large stamp fits on letters and envelopes as well as being just the right size for the reverse of a business card. Or calling card, as I prefer. The smaller stamp fits both letters and also the front side of a calling card. http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/276120/Mad-Keen-stationery http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/263640/Brighton-Rocks-poster http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/263640/Brighton-Rocks-poster Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:54:59 +0000 Ryan Dixon 263640 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/263640/rd_br_header.png" border="0" width="556" height="94" align="left" /> Previous&nbsp;/&nbsp;Next image&nbsp;(1 of 2)<img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/263640/rd_br_2.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="780" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/263640/rd_br_3.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="780" align="left" /> This is my latest poster and a private commission for a friend and Brighton resident. Having seen the Typographic Tache posters they wanted something as similarly minimalistic and sharp. And the varied and vibrant colour palette of said seaside location gave me plenty of contrasting colour options. Blue sky and pink candy being my final choice. Yum yum. Poster measures 700 x 1000mm. A lovely white frame is on its way, so I'll add some more pics soon. http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/263640/Brighton-Rocks-poster http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/193049/Christmas-2009 http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/193049/Christmas-2009 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:22:53 +0000 Ryan Dixon 193049 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/193049/rd_pubs_header.png" border="0" width="556" height="94" align="left" /> Previous&nbsp;/&nbsp;Next image&nbsp;(1 of 5)<img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/193049/rd_pub_2.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/193049/rd_pub_3.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/193049/rd_pub_1.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/193049/rd_pub_5.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/193049/rd_pub_a.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> I teamed up with friend and professional photographer Ranald Mackechnie to create a series of four images featuring everyone's favourite seasonal port of call, the good old British pub. The team also extended to a fantastic chalkboard sign writer, Simon of Pub Chalkboards in Warwickshire, who skillfully created the main prop for the shoot. Thanks also to Luke and crew at FM Print who produced the A5 postcards for me. I'd also like to say thanks to the pubs that were featured, especially the Bricklayers Arms in Gresse Street who were by far the most impressive at just £1.90 a pint. And being a true pro, I had to have accurate props and four pints certainly warmed me up as we wondered the damp, icy streets of London. http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/193049/Christmas-2009 http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/179797/My-blog http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/179797/My-blog Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:22:09 +0000 Ryan Dixon 179797 http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/179797/My-blog http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/151818/DREAM-Center-identity http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/151818/DREAM-Center-identity Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:13:21 +0000 Ryan Dixon 151818 <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/151818/rd_dc_header.png" border="0" width="556" height="94" align="left" /> Previous&nbsp;/&nbsp;Next image&nbsp;(1 of 2)<img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/151818/rd_dc_2.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> <img src="http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/12174/151818/rd_dc_1.jpg" border="0" width="600" height="415" align="left" /> Design 21 is a social network with a mission to inspire social activism through design. And with members in all corners of the world, their ability to leverage the power of design and communication is remarkable. As a member, I replied to a brief to create an identity for DREAM Center, an arts education program set up in 2003 with the goal of providing underprivileged children, especially in post-conflict regions, the opportunities and tools to express themselves creatively. Having looked at a few typefaces, it soon became clear that none could be as emotive or as expressive as that of a child's handwriting. So, I enlisted the help of my six year old daughter and budding artist to create the logo with me. In order to capture her creativity and interpretation, the only parameters were to write the word 'DREAM' in capitals (as it's an acronym). The colours and composition were her choice. I think the subtle details of the logo, its imperfections and naive qualities provide a lovely connection to the core proposition and to the very heart of what DREAM Center sets out to achieve. (Sadly, we didn't win the competition). Visit the Design 21 site to find out more. http://www.mad-keen.co.uk/151818/DREAM-Center-identity