... from the Assembly Team! We currently have a design intern with us at the studio, and she is doing a great job! So this year's greetings carry Rosi's thumbprint...
Watch out for our portfolio updates in the new year, and you will certainly see some more design work she's done together with our artists and designers!
Have a lovely time, enjoy the Christmas break and see you next year!
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Making Faces
Recently, our UAE designer Dina Khorchid attended
Studio 11's Making Faces Workshop - a one day Arabic type design workshop and
lecture series, organized by grapheast type foundry and sponsored by Adobe. The
workshop grouped together a number of speakers of different design disciplines
who shared their knowledge in type design, Arabic calligraphy, dual language
communication and software creation.
The day started with an inspiring talk by Mourad
Boutros - co-founder of Boutros International. He presented a variety of case
studies and shared his journey with design for the Arab world from the 1970's
up to our present day.
Next, was a short hands-on experimental exercise
in creating a single letter form from an unexpected starting point, instructed
by Halim Choueiry - design educator and practitioner. Whoever thought leaves or
fruit skin can inspire letters?! Everything is possible in the world of design.
Here is a step by step of how Dina's letter 'noon' (N in Arabic) was originally
a banana!
1. Black & white scan of organic objects
(banana peel/leaf)
2. Extracting forms that resemble Arabic letters
3. Choosing 1 letter form and refining it using a
grid
Later, an introductory session to a new font
editor software 'Glyphs' - developed by type designers Georg Seifert and Rainer
Erich Scheichelbauer, was introduced. Glyphs is an easy to use application
which enables type designers to sculpt letter forms digitally and handles all
the technical aspects of making a font work so that it can be published and
used globally.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the show was a great
way to end the day. With a film screening of 'Making Faces - documentary screening of Metal Type in the
21st Century' A design documentary film by Richard Kegler, paying tribute to
the late Canadian designer Jim Rimmer, and shedding light on his process and
craftsmanship in creating metal and digital fonts.
One day is surely not enough to create a font,
especially in Arabic where each letter needs 3 or 4 variations depending on
where it sits in a word. However, being a part of this day was very inspiring,
motivating and educational to say the least.
Friday, 30 November 2012
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Moscow and home again in 4 days…
Have you ever been wondering what it is like to be a CEO? Our Matt has some stories to tell... read on and see!
I’ve been on my travels again in the quest to keep
all the plates spinning across our middle-eastern, Russian and UK client bases
and at this time of year it often means I have to try and cover hot and cold
climates, plus carry demos and samples and other bits and pieces crammed into
one piece of hand luggage.
My
mission was to get to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Moscow
and back again in 4 days.
The
UAE leg of my trip saw me take in a last minute film pitch with the municipality of Abu Dhabi, a website for the ministry of
foreign affairs that is looking at non-violent methods to counter violent
extremism and to talk to an extremely well-heeled client about a possible
promotional campaign in the automotive sector…Not
your average Assembly spread of work but increasingly we are working in other
areas other than the real estate industry which is good news for diversity.
After 2 hectic days of meetings and catching up
with our UAE studio and packing the excellent media pack Dina created for Arab
Film Studios (see it here!) into my already over filled luggage, it was
time for the Russian homeward bound leg.
It’s only 4/5 hrs to Moscow
from Abu Dhabi,
but the temperature switch can be quite dramatic. Last year I left 32 degrees
behind and walked into -19 deep freeze. Given I only packed a woolly hat as an
after thought, I was lucky as it was a balmy 2 degrees when I landed.
My very good friend and client picked me up almost
immediately after I arrived at my hotel and speeded expertly through what
seemed to be otherwise stationary traffic, took a trolleybus on head to head
and darted in at the last minute, scything across 6 lanes of traffic and
turning right from the left hand lane…. He chuckled to himself as I
inadvertently tried to brake from the passenger seat with my foot and said
“You’ve missed this haven’t you?”…. er…. Not really…
Next I had 5 meetings, in 3 locations, and the only way
to make the schedule was to use the metro as the traffic in Moscow is
horrendous off peak. The metro is magnificent in places, and baffling at
the same time if you don’t read Russian. I can read very slowly more or less,
but the point is, unless you are deciphering an English word (ie for example
the word supermarket) once you actually read the word, it really doesn’t help.
Try reading Krasnopresnenskaya, in cyrillic, whilst it flashes past the window
as you arrive at the station… Krasno…..Kras…….noo…… Krasno….. Kr…. Ah forget
it. What you have to do is do what umpires do at the cricket and knock a finger
off each time you go through a stop – limits you to 10 stops but I had the
fortune not to have to go any further on any one line.
So a few tactics I have adopted – get the circle
line and count the number of stops in both directions…. If when you get out
you’re not where you’d hoped to be, retrace your steps and continue on by the
difference? Simples.
Also, I have given up actually trying to exit from
the right exit, (often ¼ of a mile difference!!) because just like when you try
and take a short cut in IKEA it spits you out in another kitchen department in
another country, or in my case, always the furthest exit from where I was
headed to.
Dinner at an Azerbaijani restaurant was
actually delicious – apparently it’s fine to drink high grade vodka, (in fact
it’s mandatory) after each mouthful of food to have a shot down in one…. salad
with “brown” meat, some interesting pancake things with more minced “brown”
meat, tongue, asparagus wrapped in pig fat…. (ok that last one wasn’t so hot…)
and delicious bbq’d lamb chops, I think.
To cut what is turning out to be a long story
short, made the plane back home by the skin of my teeth, changed in Dusseldorf where my
luggage nearly left me behind due to a ridiculous queue at passport control and
then boarded the plane to London with a German version of Billy Jean’s not my
lover was playing – refrained from the obvious and extremely tempting “walk in
time” down the aisle, was mildly amused by the German pilot informing us that
we needed a “slut” to get things going (think he meant slot) and then settled
down to a well earned nap.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Monday, 5 November 2012
We are looking for an Interface Designer
We’re looking
for a talented designer to join our London-based design team. You should be passionate about all
areas of design but with specific expertise in web and UI design. We anticipate
a minimum of 5 years commercial experience.
Who are we?
Who are we?
Assembly
Studios is a multi-disciplinary design agency providing creative solutions in
identity & print, web & interactive, CG illustration & animation.
Our award-winning design teams collaborate closely across these disciplines to
create coherent output that is both engaging and appropriately informed for its
target audience.
With studios
in London, Plymouth, and the UAE, Assembly works on a range of projects from
local independent design briefs to large-scale international campaigns. See
what we do at www.assemblystudios.com
We’re looking
for someone who:
• Lives and breathes design.
• Is passionate about web and UI design.
• Lives and breathes design.
• Is passionate about web and UI design.
• Is creative
& organized.
• Can turn design briefs into engaging customer journeys.
• Has the ability to work well under pressure in a fast paced environment.
• Can turn design briefs into engaging customer journeys.
• Has the ability to work well under pressure in a fast paced environment.
• Enjoys
working alongside other design professionals.
• Is able to work as part of a team with good communication skills.
• Is able to work as part of a team with good communication skills.
• Has excellent
experience in InDesign, Illustrator & Photoshop (experience of delivering
responsive layouts, html and css knowledge a huge bonus).
• Is not
scared of foxes.
Salary and package to be discussed based on experience.
Salary and package to be discussed based on experience.
How do I apply?
We’d love to hear from you. So please drop us your CV with links to your best and most recent work, together with a concise covering letter explaining why Assembly is right for you. Successful applicants will be invited in for coffee and a chat, really successful applicants will be offered a job.
If you’d like further information about the position at Assembly Studios, please contact us on 020 7426 2080 or email ross@assemblystudios.com
Friday, 2 November 2012
Disney buy out of Lucasfilm
Look at what our CG guys did...
What will the future of Star Wars look like?!
Be careful what you want to be when you grow up!
Have a good weekend!
What will the future of Star Wars look like?!
Be careful what you want to be when you grow up!
Have a good weekend!
Monday, 29 October 2012
Graphic Design Internship
We’re looking for a young talented Graphic Designer to join our London design team to get stuck into a variety of exciting live projects for a 3 month internship. If you’re the right fit, we’d love this opportunity to convert into a full time junior designer role.
Who are we?
Assembly Studios is a multi-disciplinary design agency providing creative solutions in identity & print, web & interactive, CG illustration & animation. Our award-winning design teams collaborate closely across these disciplines to create coherent output that is both engaging and appropriately informed for its target audience.
With studios in London, Plymouth, and the UAE, Assembly works on a range of projects from local independent design briefs to large-scale international campaigns. See what we do at www.assemblystudios.com
We’re looking for someone who:
• Lives and breathes design
• Passionate about colour & typography
• Creative & Organised
• Can turn complicated and ugly into simple and beautiful
• Has the ability to work well under pressure in a fast paced environment
• Is able to work as part of a team with good communication skills
• Excellent experience in InDesign, Illustrator & Photoshop
• Any web design, coding and development experience a huge bonus
• Is not scared of foxes
The internship terms are:
• Minimum duration of 3 months
• Anticipated start date: mid/end of November 2012
• Monday – Friday 10:00am – 5.30pm (with 1 hour for lunch)
• £37.50 per week expenses allowance
How do I apply?
We’d love to hear from you. So please drop us CV together with a concise covering letter and a link or PDF attached of your best and most recent work. Successful applicants will be invited in for coffee and a quick chat, really successful applicants will be offered a placement.
If you’d like further information about the internship position at Assembly Studios, please contact us on 020 7426 2080 or email jobs@assemblystudios.co.uk
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
As mecca glitters this night with pilgrims from all over the world, we wish you a radiant, blessed and prosperous EID AL ADHA here from our team at Assembly Studios MENA to you and your family!
Friday, 19 October 2012
Biennale Architettura Venezia 2012
Yes, going on an adventure sometimes means getting up early in the morning.... very early!
Our
CG Artist David traveled to Venice to see the 13th
International Architecture Exhibition, titled Common Ground. This theme
wants to reassert the existence of an architectural culture, made up not
just of singular talents but a rich continuity of diverse ideas united
in a common history and common ambitions. Common Ground is a moreover appropriate for this event as...
... begins with the ground in
architecture!
David was particularly impressed by the inventiveness of architects and artists in interpreting the theme - These pictures let you gain an impression of what he means:
A pavilion made of QR-Codes
Inspiration for our meeting room!
The Architectural Biennale is open from 29th August to 25th November 2012 so you still have a chance to go and see it! If you do, we would love to hear about it!
Good night for now and have a good weekend!
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Assembly's Plymouth studio is looking for a middle weight developer to join it's interactive team.
You will be a confident PHP, MySQL developer, comfortable developing object oriented php applications and putting together CSS / responsive layouts. You will have experience of working on a range of commercial solutions including ecommerce and mobile applications and have a working knowledge of current protocols and methodologies for popular web API's and standards compliance.
Assembly's development team are looking for another solid programmer to further enable the creative potential of themselves and the wider team.
Personable and hygenic a plus ;)
For more information please email jobs@assemblystudios.co.uk
Friday, 7 September 2012
New Adventures of Assembly Studios
Next comes Matt, see the look of anticipation!
... and there he goes, Matt conquering the crisp.
We have made it - safe touchdown, great experience! A huge thanks to our photographer Calvin!
The Assembly team is always on the lookout for new adventures, whatsoever - if you would like to go on one with us, we would love to hear from you!
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Levitating Street Art!
Look what we have discovered in London's streets!
... can this be a doppelganger of our Managing Director Richard? It's not that we didn't already know he has superpowers, but this levitation surprised even us! Assembly Magic!
If you have seen any more examples of Google Streetview Street Art on your journeys, let us know!
... can this be a doppelganger of our Managing Director Richard? It's not that we didn't already know he has superpowers, but this levitation surprised even us! Assembly Magic!
If you have seen any more examples of Google Streetview Street Art on your journeys, let us know!
Thursday, 16 August 2012
Eid Mubarak!
As we say goodbye to a month of fasting, we welcome and celebrate the arrival of Eid Al-Fitr, the festivity of breaking the fast. We hope that Ramadan has illuminated lives through auspicious blessings, sharing, charity and warm Iftar gatherings.
On this occasion, best wishes from Assembly Studios!
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Now that the Olympic Games are over, are you curious to find out what will happen to the surrounding park?
What has been the Mecca of sports fans and the home to athletes from all over the globe will soon become a neigbourhood to live in and to stroll about. A whole new community area will be enlivened, creating up to 8000 new homes, schools, nurseries and playgrounds.
You can't imagine what that might look like? Our CGI artists have produced these series of images for the Olympic Park Legacy Masterplan some time ago, now they are an inspiring vision of the possible future atmosphere in Stratford. For those of you who have visited an Olympic event, do you recognise some of the landmarks? Let us know!
You can't imagine what that might look like? Our CGI artists have produced these series of images for the Olympic Park Legacy Masterplan some time ago, now they are an inspiring vision of the possible future atmosphere in Stratford. For those of you who have visited an Olympic event, do you recognise some of the landmarks? Let us know!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)