A Cabinet Of Curiosities

In celebration of the 200th Anniversary of P.T Barnum’s birth, I have created ‘A Cabinet of Curiosities’ and from this created a box containing photographs of all the weird and wonderful things contained in the cabinet. The idea behind this to awaken the viewers’ natural curiosity about the world. P.T Barnum created an experience for the general public, making exhibitions of weird and unusual things or people. I chose to create a piece that captured this experience. With this project I ask the viewer to look, question, explore but mainly enjoy what they see.

I used found objects, natural forms and created hand-made objects. I spent time sourcing the objects within the cabinet by gathering objects from second hand shops and markets. Although I had enough material to create a 3D piece, I wanted to capture the objects and experiment by creating images with a ‘moody’ atmosphere, and for them to retain a sense of mystery.

To challenge the way of looking at an object, I took photographs using mediums such as a magnifying glass. I experimented with different lighting, but felt the best images were the ones created by using low lighting. This allowed a range of shadows and a strong contrast between light and dark. I kept the colour palette limited and slightly de-saturated. I tried to make the objects have some sense of character rather than just remaining as a solid form. The images have a touch of voodoo and magic, which adds to the mystery of the objects.

PEEP - Chosen Crops

These are the selection of crops I used for the project 'PEEP'

FGM

 

 

This brief was to represent a problem in Africa. I'm not one to shy away from anything too hard hitting, so when I was researching Africa I was struck by how devastating Female Genital Mutilation is. I struggled to find a way to represent the stories of the woman who had suffered so much pain by the hands of their mother. I created my own typeface and used typography to create a series of hard hitting posters. The quotes are from true accounts from the women of Africa.

PEEP

 

 

 

This project was to create 20 images and choose one word to create a final piece.

I decided to base it on some of the dreams I was having throughout the last few months of University. It was a really stressfull time and my dreams became very vivid and emotional. I chose to represent the dreams by creating a selection of mixed media pieces, and creating 20 crops of them. I then decided to hang the images on a wire to represent how when we wake up we piece together our dreams, but that dreams are made up of many different segments. I chose the word 'PEEP' because I am inviting the viewer to take a look into my dreams.

Royal Mail Rebrand

 

The brief was to redesign the Royal Mail logo. I wanted to show the historic side of the Royal Mail and merge it with how structured and modern it has become. I also wanted to represent the emblems used for royalty. I chose to use to quite different typefaces and then interlink them.

Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge

This is the final outcome for the project. I created a concertina booklet full of inspirational words and images, with the quote on the front cover.

Serious lack of updates!

So this blog has been quiet for a while, and I do apologize! Keep your eyes open as I shall soon be starting to post my backlog of work and try to keep you updated with what is going on. For now you can have a wander over to www.ljhazzard.co.uk. Thanks for being patient!

Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge

This is the project I was given over the summer holiday. The brief was to look at the Pros & Cons of sharing files via the internet, how it affects the creative industry and in what way will it change design communication.

I decided to base it on the idea that by constantly sharing and using images found on the internet, you can lose your own creativity. I found a quote by Albert Einstein that inspired the outcomes of this project. "Imagination is more important than knowledge'. I created a series of images using forms of mixed media and mark marking, collaged with images relating to the word or quote on that specific piece. I used words that could encourage you to use your imagination and quotes to reflect these words.

I am going to select a few of these pieces and create a series of posters that will encourage you to use your imagination.