University Observer (Vol. 15 Issue 8)

University Observer, out today.

University Observer (Vol. 15 Issue 7)

Guest Art & Design Director for Issue 7 of UCD's University Observer, available on campus at the university this morning.

On this day...

Obama's first day in his new job started with the traditional Inaugural prayer service at the National Cathedral in Washington, where 'He's got the whole world in his hands' was one of the numbers performed by the Children's Choir.

Below is a selection of far-and-wide front pages as images of the 44th US President's inauguration resonated across the globe in the last 24 hours.


Kathimerini (Athens, Greece)


Folha de Sao Paulo (Brazil)


Asahi Shimbun (Tokyo, Japan)


An Nahar (Beirut, Lebanon)

See Newseum and the Newsdesigner blog for daily front pages from all over the world.

Guardian Gallery 2008

"A look back at the year in football through the unmistakable prism of the Gallery"


My winning entry to celebrate the unveiling of Giovanni Trapattoni as Irish boss back in the spring made it in – topical as ever nine months later with the current squad situation (re Andy Reid and Stephen Ireland) I might add.

Aab Aalborg vs Celtic

I was really lucky to get along to the game due to the size of the Energi Nord Arena, Aab's home ground. The crowd on the night was less than 13,000; a sell-out supposedly although there were a lot of empty seats scattered about the ground. The travelling Celtic support had only been allocated 600 tickets in the corner of one of the small stands behind the goal, the stadium as long as it was wide. Local touts hanging around the pubs were offering tickets for 1000DKK a throw, about €140 - hence all those seats with no-one in them.


Ticket and programme from the game - they don't make them like they used to.



It all went wrong, yet again, for Celtic as it appeared an elusive away win in the Champions League was on the cards. Leaving the ground after the game, it seemed like the Danish supporters couldn't believe the way the game ended either. As a result of the win Aab stick around in the UEFA Cup while Celtic are sent packing from Europe this year, back to domestic football with the small matter of a winning a fourth consecutive league title to see to.

Newspapers from Frederikshavn the next day:

Guardian WW1 Posters

An collection of First World War propaganda posters were given away in yesterday's Guardian. It is interesting to compare the various examples visually; I feel they outline some very distinctive, individual characteristics in their mood, colour, composition, use of language and typography, as well as reflecting respective contemporary artistic styles. All are strong rallying calls, some perhaps with more nationalistic fervour than others.


"Russia - 1917 - Red Navy propaganda poster: 'Long live the vanguard of the revolution'" - Stark, strong composition with simple, comprehensive application of colour (similar to modern tabloids: red, black, white). Hand-made, skill and craft. Futurist.


"Britain - 1913-1918 - Army poster depicting a German zeppelin over London" - Straightforward, bold, resolute, realistic (suggestion of a dreaded future scenario) No-nonsense and strong; facing facts, painting a picture, do something about it.


"US - 1918 - Government poster advertising bonds to finance the American war effort" - Bright, confident, assured; stripes of flag on Uncle Sam's trouser leg. Powerful. Smart leather boot stamping down from above; might, force, overwhelming.


"France - 1918 - Poster for a Parisian Bank aimed at English investors, 'Allied in War, United in Peace'" - Decadent, libertarian, free. Artistic, intellectual; decorative and elegant style


"Germany - 1917 - 'The Kaiser and his people thank the Army and Navy; Christmas gifts from Frankfurt'" - Clean, focussed, determined. Clinical, impersonal (eyes of soldiers masked)

Free Papers

Some free Dutch arts newspapers picked up from the Brakkegrond Cultuurhuis, which is tucked away down an unassuming sidestreet named Nes, just off the Dam Square. I like the way the first two examples use two inks (yellow/black and magenta/black) with such striking effect. Again I feel the handling of typography across these covers was very crisp.

UCD Observer

Design and art direction of Volume XIII of the UCD student newspaper, which won awards for Editor of the Year (Stephen Carroll) and Design & Layout of the Year (myself) at the Student Media Awards, 2007.

Guardian Gallery

An array of occasionally prize-winning entries to the Guardian gallery, combining a double-whammy of dubious football insight and photoshoppery.


- Premier League goes Global -
(Same shit, different Saturday)
Copper 1: Fancy a hot dog Guv?
Copper 2: No thanks Terry, I'm gona go fer a curry with the Missus later


- Ashley Cole -
The venerable Mr Cole's latest offering is available in the Fine Art section of all good bookshops.


- Fabio Capello -
When 'e come over, Cappo 'ad no English or mates or nuffing. But since 'e met the boys round 'is area, everyfings sweet innit lol


- David Bentley -
David had enough of a problem with those live-odds advertising hoardings as it was.

RE&D

I have worked for the last year with Real-time Editing & Design, production house for the Irish Independent, Evening Herald and Herald AM newspapers in Dublin. Earlier work also included design and layout for supplements such as Life, Weekend, Health & Living and Day & Night magazines. Above are various pages produced for Herald AM.