Mr & Mrs YOKE aka Mark and Zoe are the design duo behind the cool Perth-based illustration and printmaking label, YOKE.

Graduating only a year ago, they launched YOKE at London’s prestigious Design Week and have already been stocked in stores from London to Tokyo… Their illustrations have been transformed into a number of hand printed products, including their signature hand pulled screen prints.

With a quirky and comical approach, YOKE’s philosophy is to keep it simple and use their iconic, bright and bold illustrations to brighten the gloomiest of days.

And why the name YOKE?.. Nope, no relation to eggs but instead a yoke is a farming tool used to join two oxen together when ploughing, this equals Mr & Mrs Yoke, sweet we guess! What a lovely pair indeed. Help spread the YOKEY love!

Web: www.weareyoke.com

Twitter: @weareyoke.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/weareyoke

Ambition, passion, originality, commitment… Hit Reach are setting the bar high with the launch of their DJCAD Web Design & SEO Competition. The Arbroath-based firm, who specialise in web design and search engine optimisation, offer a host of prizes to one lucky winner. These prizes, worth £2,500 include:

• web hosting
• web design
• e-commerce solution
• custom Facebook page
• search engine optimisation
• pay per click
• logo, graphic and print design
• marketing materials and stationary
• training
• press coverage via media partners

Currently in its second year, the DJCAD Web Design & SEO Competition is aimed at helping graduates launch their freelance careers or give them a boost in setting up their own business. Last year, the team at Hit Reach helped competition winner Aimie Bene, a recent graduate and textile and surface pattern designer. Hit Reach created a custom-made website, Facebook page and business cards as well as providing Aimie with the support and training she needed to update and administer the online systems herself. Take a look at her custom- made website and Facebook page..

www.aimiebenedesigns.co.uk

www.facebook.com/AimieBeneDesigns

If you are a Duncan of Jordanstone undergraduate or postgraduate who will finish your course in 2012, you are eligible to enter. All that is required of you is to answer ten questions about yourself. The panel at Hit Reach will then select a shortlist of three candidates who will be invited to interview; the contender who out-dazzles the others wins – it’s as simple as that!

If you have ambition in spades and are 100% committed to getting your creative ideas off the ground, this competition is for you! Enter the competition here.

Entries for this competition close on Friday 30^th March 2012 – GOOD LUCK!

Recognising that Dundee’s digital sector is an important part of the local creative economy, Dundee Web Standards is a monthly social gathering of like-minded individuals who gather to discuss the latest trends and technologies with their peers.

These meet-ups have seen a whole range of speakers join them to speak about their future predictions; and this month’s session on 22nd February sees Matt Lacey talk about ‘What and why every developer needs to know about mobile development‘. Matt will discuss why mobile development is different and how to apply that knowledge to whatever platform you’re developing for…be that mobile, tablet, TV, table, wall or something else…

Wall? You heard it there first!

Find out more about Dundee Web Standards:

www.dundeewebstandards.com, @dundeewebstands and Facebook.

Dundee Web Standards – monthly meet

Date: Wednesday 22nd February 2012

Time: 7pm – 11pm

Venue: Chamber East, Panmure Street, Dundee (function suite with bar!)

Tickets are free but you must register here.

This little gem of a film is courtesy of the JAM Collective, Dundee’s film collective. These lovely folks went out into the city at the weekend and asked people, “What is Love?”. This short film gives many lovely, touching and often humorous answers to the big question – a great reminder that chocolates, flowers and a single day don’t really cut what Love is really all about…

The JAM Collective are a diverse group of creatives based in Dundee who meet to make films and share filmmaking resources, knowledge and experience.

You can check JAM Collective and spread a bit of love over on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/jamcollective and contact Dylan Drummond there if you’d like to get involved.

We sure hope we’ll be seeing much more from JAM Collective soon!

Fun-A-Day‘s is a simple concept which produces great results – participants choose a project and then produce one piece of artwork every day for the entire month of January.

This new exhibition starting on 24th February, showcases all of the participating artist’s work. The 31 resulting pieces include photos, drawings, videos, textiles and more; and vary from the lighthearted to serious and the high to low-brow.

The Dundee exhibition is one of just 3 shows running internationally outwith the USA, which has 21 shows running – they’re all organised by local art collectives who have adopted the project and started their own shows.

Philadelphian-based Art Clash Collective began Fun-A-Day as a way to keep each other motivated and keep up their creative practices through the month of January! The project then spread as others embraced the idea and vowed to not only complete their project, but to encourage their friends to do the same. Since its inception in 2004, the project has seen tens of thousands of pieces by hundreds of artists taking part.

It also coincides with the release party for The Satellite Zine Issue 6 The Seen and will be the first Meet-Up for the Trans Practical Intervention Art/Science group.

It’s fair to say that you should expect the gallery to be jam-packed with art!

Exhibition Celebration Party: Friday 24th February 2012: 5pm – 7pm

Exhibition Runs: 24th Febuary until 5th March (Monday to Friday 9:30-5:00 and Saturday 10:30-4:30)

Where? The Bradshaw Art Space, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, 13 Perth Road DD1 4HT

Find out more: www.funadaydundee.wordpress.com


Email: funadaydundee@gmail.com

The sub-zero temperatures in Dundee last week have me dreaming of cosy scarfs and mittens so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to shine a light on Dundee star, Hilary Grant with a spotlight article.

Hilary graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone in 2007 and since then has made a name for herself as a textile designer, interning with designer Claire Tough, developing concepts for Lost Values and even creating embroidery designs for Alexander McQueen. Creative Dundee had a chin-wag with Hilary to get the low-down on her influences and inspirations as well as finding out why Dundee is a good place to get creative.

Where do you work from in Dundee?

I work in a home studio/workshop. 

Who or what are your current influences?

A lot of my inspiration comes from really traditional fairisle knitting techniques and also a lot of menswear too. Paul Smith. I really like Margaret Howell, simple clothing e.g. A.P.C. and I get a lot of inspiration from street style photography like in the Sartorialist. I wouldn’t say these kinds of sources inspire me directly in terms of pattern design, but things like colour proportion and styling are key.

Which artists/creative do you most admire?

I admire lot of people. My friends, who are all out there in their first few years of their creative businesses and seeing how they all progress is really inspiring. My favourite designers for the last few years are Mina Perhoenen, Cooperative Designs, Marc Monzo, Clare Waight Keller, Masako Ban. I also love Alexander Wang as his approach is so understated and simple. This quote from him really sticks with me  ”Fashion should be something that should be understood, yet still be exciting. It’s art and commerce.” I like that idea.

You studied at Duncan of Jordanstone, what kind of support was available to you whilst you were a student?

There was a lot out there but it was very much down to you if you wanted to learn more and develop techniques beyond the basics. I guess that’s the same for everyone. Though the teaching was great, there is only so much the tutors and technicians can do for one person. It’s down to you to learn how educate yourself and get what you want from art school and how to develop your design progress beyond what’s prescribed.

What kind of support has been available to you since setting up on your own?

I got some financial help from Dundee City Council and Creative Scotland with the Dundee Craftmakers’ Award last year. That was a big boost. And also the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust  (PSYBT) who have really helped me develop the business side of everything, with my accounts and writing up contracts. If anyone is interested in starting up a business I’d make PSYBT and Cultural Enterprise your first ports of call.

What has been your career highlight so far?

Lots of different little things. But I guess doing a tradeshow last year felt like a turning point between hobby business and real business.

What is your favourite Dundee landmark?

The McManus Galleries.

Where are your favourite places to hang out in Dundee?

TLC on Perth Road is my first stop if I’m needing to get out for fresh air and for a coffee break. It’s a good place to switch off.

What do you think about the creative scene in Dundee?

It’s such a great community and really supportive. Dundee’s a great place to start up a business.

What effect do you think the V&A will have on the city? How will this change the scene in Dundee?

I’m sure it’ll change Dundee in so many ways for the better I’m not sure where to start! 

What’s next for Hilary Grant?

Just now I’m working on next winter’s collection. I’ll be starting to work more seasonally now as I’m going to be working with a manufacturer in the Borders so the way I run my business is changing too.

Any top tips for creatives?

Have some time off for once! You can’t expect to be switched on all the time if you never switch off. 

View Hilary’ s website and online shop at: http://www.hilarygrant.co.uk or follow her on twitter @Hilary_Grant

Not only is Vanilla Ink a great resource for independent jewellery designers, providing a vital platform for designers to promote their latest work; it is now also the place to buy great jewellery from the country’s most up-and-coming designers. The Vanilla Ink online shop is here…

Kate Pickering founded Vanilla Ink back in 2009, inspired by the need to bridge the missing gap for graduates between graduation and industry. Since then, Vanilla Ink has provided a vital online platform, providing business support, mentoring and showcasing talent at UK trade events.

The freshly launched online shop is the second phase of Vanilla Ink’s development and the currently profiles the work of 122 of the most promising British designers. This includes a few Dundee based designers such as award-winning designer Jane Gowans.

Kate talks about the reasons for creating the online shop, “Developing an online shop seemed the natural progression for my business. It can be hard for independent designers to gain the exposure they deserve for their work. I see the online platform as offering another element of support that I plan to provide for the wealth of talent that there is in Scotland.”

You can hear and see more from Kate about all things Vanilla Ink at her recent Pecha Kucha Night talk, below:

Vanilla Ink’s super exciting third phase will see the launch of a studio space for members of Vanilla Ink in May 2012, in Dundee! So be sure to keep a look out for this huge piece of news in just a few months time.

Visit: www.vanillainkstudios.co.uk or go straight to the shop!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/vanillainkstudios

Twitter: @vanillainkUK

A little heads up to let you know that it’s the last chance to see this exhibition featuring the work of New York based German artist Viola Yeşiltaç.

Open until 18th February, this is Viola’s first major show in the UK and her works are really beautiful; they expose her creative process across different mediums – photography, performance, installation, drawings and sculpture.

The exhibition has been really well received and The Times gave a 4 star review which you can read here. In their words they say the artist ‘is fascinated by the way two-dimensional surfaces can assume apparent solidity under certain conditions.’

The great title of this exhibition ‘I really must congratulate you on your attention to detail‘ apparently comes from Sherlock Holmes and much of Viola’s work considers the transition from fiction to reality. With a prominent track record of making performances, you can watch Viola’s opening night performance below.

I really must congratulate you on your attention to detail – Viola Yeşiltaç
When? 20 January – 18 February 2012
Where? The Cooper Gallery 

Outplay Entertainment is currently looking to find a top class artist/animator to add to their expanding workforce.

Outplay set up in 2010 in Dundee by Edinburgh based brothers Richard and Douglas Hare. Before Outplay, the Hare brothers formed a Californian based studio called the Collective in 1997 having previously both worked for Virgin Interactive. In 2005 The Collective merged with Backbone Entertainment to become Foundation 9 and then in 2007 it was merged again with Shiny Entertainment to create Double Helix Games.

Outplay setting up in Dundee was seen as a major boost at a time when the city was suffering the blow from Realtime Worlds Collapse. It has focused itself on the popular social gaming market and has to date published 2 titles on Facebook – Word Trick and Booty Quest.

Outplay are currently hard at work developing new titles and if you would like a chance to join them for the ride, check out the details below.

Artist/Animator

The Opportunity

Working with the team, you will apply your creative and technical art skills and flair to create fun, addictive games with visually compelling and distinctive designs.
You will help define the next generation of social mobile games.

What You’ll Do

- Help establish and maintain the creative vision for the next generation of social mobile games
- Produce concept sketches, illustrations and production artwork and animation in a variety of styles
- Contribute to visual design of game
- Collaborate with artists and illustrators both in-house and external to the studio
- Assist with skill development and mentoring of internal artists
- Help develop and manage asset pipelines
- Understand and enhance the company’s vision, culture and goals

What You Need

- 3+ years of digital illustration, graphic design and/or 2D animation experience
- Demonstrable flexibility in style ranging from cheerful, cartoon illustration to more detailed, grittier artwork
- Solid knowledge of, primarily, 2D art production and tools including Photoshop, Flash and Illustrator
- Knowledge of current mobile, Facebook and casual games and passion and vision to help craft the next generation of social mobile games
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Ready to adapt in a rapidly changing, fast-paced creative environment
- Able to take direction well and, as required, constructively provide direction and guidance to others
- Able to handle multiple responsibilities, collaborate and excel in small team environments

Other Stuff We Like

- Experience developing art for online, mobile, casual and/or social games
- Graphic design/UI skills
- 3D art and animation skills
- Game design and/or creative writing ability
- Understanding constraints and potential of technology

Be part of it!

Note: Must be able to demonstrate eligibility to work in the United Kingdom and be willing to relocate to Dundee

Apply: http://www.outplayentertainment.com/jobs/