Polaroid and The Impossible Project

Just consider Polariod film. It is instant happiness. This well loved photography process has been quite endangered these last a few years, but it seems with much lobby and support the campaigners may have snatched a victory.

In June 2008 Polaroid stopped producing their analog instant film, and although this feels like an inevitable conclusion to the way technology has evolved, some have fought to keep the dream alive. The Impossible Project have made it their mission to produce a new film that is compatible with vintage Polariod cameras. They have produced a slick website and a convincing campaign that seems to have got Polaroid sitting up and paying attention. As a result Polariod have announced that they will re-launch some of their most famous Polariod Instant Cameras. The Impossible Project have been commissioned to create these new Polariod branded films in the middle of 2010.


So some exciting developments. Savepolariod.com have also created public interest, eager themselves to save the invention of instant film by Edwin Land from being abandoned. On their website they have been collecting stories in praise of the Polariod instant film. One that caught my eye was from haybale.org - Joe of New York city will send you your own personal Polariod picture of anything from anywhere in New York City. For a few cost-covering dollars you can have "a tangible record of a single moment in time shared by two strangers". 

Personally there is a space in my heart for the happy-snappy film. It was a constant companion in my early years at art college, and reading peoples stories has reminded me of seeing my compositions appear before my eyes. Now hopefully future generations can have this satisfaction too.

Emma Julian

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Zeigeist 18th October 2009

October's Zeitgeist has a selection of twelve images from the internet, and includes Victorian illustration, Japanese postcards and classic black and white images.

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Zeitgeist 15th September 2009

This month's Zeitgeist includes iconic imagery alongside fuzzy photographs... just how it should be!

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Living Creatively

We asked Graphic Designer, Emma Julian, what has caught her eye in the creative industry currently, she pointed us to an interesting website:

"When scouring the web for inspiration (which is always enjoyable and very distracting), I came across this Australian website: www.livingcreatively.com.au - a great online resource for everyday creativity.

Living Creatively present an online magazine once a month that's brimming with ideas. Currently on issue 10, it has regular features including the “Editor's Letter”, “What's New”, “Cool Hunting”, “Library Plus” and “Inspiration”. With informative articles, guides to the latest up and coming thing, lists of creative books, project sheets and soon to come will be a market place to buy and sell your own handmade items.


I especially like the section titled “Cool Hunting”, which this month features the 3D artist Julian Beever who conjures a 3D world from the flat, and well trodden, city pavements.

Although I enjoy the instant nature of online inspiration, there is something quite wonderful about a glossy magazine, and to its credit this website manages to maintain some of that feel. I like the use of mood-board collages and top ten lists.


Things that took my fancy in this month's issue are an article on Jacqueline Morony of Millicent & Frank, and the intricate paper art of Jo Neville. The website is a great spring board for inspiration, focussing mainly on the crafty but showcasing anything from tea cosies to pregnant chairs!"

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Nerdoh T-Shirt Designs

Looking through the movie paraphernalia available from the larger chains, I once again moved on, finding them overwhelmingly mainstream. I need a new wardrobe and have been looking at the movie related T-shirts, but even when these large concerns attempt to be edgy, they somehow miss the point. Companies that claim to be associated with films are just a short step away from the faux pop culture shirts your local Next stocks.

For the true film geek, something with a little more depth and obscurity is required. Most shirt designs, emblazoned with the name of a cult classic, are the clothing equivalent of going up to the cool kids at school and saying, “I like The Arctic Monkeys, can I be in your gang?”

True film lovers look for websites like Nerdoh, who offer a range of shirts carrying references only other aficionados will recognise, and for those who do not spot the connection, the designs are strong enough to stand alone.


The movies that have received this treatment include legends like Planet of the Apes and one of my favourite designs, Jaws. But do not over look recent pictures like 30 Days of Night and Iron Man.


Nerdoh’s styles tap into the retro look with distressed graphics and understated designs such as the Nostromo shirt above, alongside far more ostentatious images, like a life size Proton Pack.

The fit is good and the website’s claim of the shirts being high quality is honest. These are garments that will without doubt enhance your wardrobe. I have been wearing the Nostromo shirt whenever I go out, and although no one has guessed the movie it ties in with (anyone got an idea?), that has only made me consider getting new friends!

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Zeitgeist 14th July 2009

This month's Zeitgeist features an eclectic selection of images from the web. Within these ten pictures you will see pop culture illustration, fashion photography from the early sixties, and the two shots above that portray vivid pattern.

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The Tub Chair Company

Recently a new website and service was brought to my attention, The Tub Chair Company, an online business that specialise in selling simply that. One of the designers at my studio had a look at the site, and wrote the following about this company:

"Tub chairs. Perhaps not something you realised you needed in your life, but The Tub Chair Company has a great selection. I'm all for statement furniture and this site has a great selection. Italian designer, real leather, or my favourite (as I am quite pattern obsessed) the fabric ones. It's a nicely presented site with a good range of prices. I personally like the hugability of these type of chairs, quite a cosy feeling being surrounded by chair!


The site has some stylish classics, a great addition to any home or commercial place, definitely worth a look!" Emma Julian

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