My top 10 business cards!

Number 10.

For my number 10 card, I have chose this vintage shops sign inspired card. I love how the card is cut out to the shape of the hand, this makes the card more eye catching as it stands out from the usual rectangle buisness cards.

Number 9.

My number 9 is by a hair and make up artist. The card not only is handy to have in your purse, for a spare clip but also to have a little fun creating funky hair styles...oh and also handy for contact details of a hair and make up artist. 

Number 8.

My eighth is a dentist card, I love this card as it's just so fun and unique, which helps if you have already have a darkened perspective of the dentist. 

Number 7. 

I chose these cards purely for the aesthetics, each pattern complements the other so they work well as a set. The logo is simple and bold which dominates over the background.

Number 6.

This next card becomes interactive with the viewer, which makes it more memorable and it can also be personalised, each to there own as you might say.

Number 5. 

These wooden buisness cards, give off a really contemporay but relaxed feeling. The laser cut logo creates depth by showing off the under card underneath. 

Number 4.

I absolutely adore this creative buisness card, the fact that you can build a 3d rabbit from a flat sheet is an amazing way to get viewers thinking about how creative your company is! Also the lime green and grey contrast well against the brown card.

Number 3.

Again in my top 10 is another interactive card, this thin metal sheet gives a real mechanical look, which suits it's occupation being a security company. The tools on the card are little lock picking implements.

Number 2.

My number 2 place goes to a photography firm! This card is instantly  recognised as a focus on a camera. This card allows you to play and frame anything you want so it looks like a photo. I would like to incorporate this technique of using a clear plastic to encapsulate anything the viewer desires. 

Number 1. 

And finally my number 1 place goes to the furniture company for creating this amazing buiness card! Not only does it incorporate the flat pack generation but the do it yourself generation. The simple design echos today's trends of less is more.

Well done!

Recently I visited... Ambiente

Ambiente, frankfurt Germany 

Above is a collection of rings designed by Michiel Cornelissen, the collection is named one in a million bird, which relates to the fact that there are over one million variations of the ring. The rings are 3d printed in polyamide, which is a material I have printed in before myself, although I have only ever thought of using this material for samples or using it to cast into silver, which can be expensive, so by using the polyamide as the final material, this makes the process a lot more affordable and accessible. It also adds value to the material but without being to expensive. 
The exhibition centre was massive and probably would require a number of days to complete, so the best thing to do is research which stands appeal to you best then head in that direction and collect information from the stands around that, one of the artists that I did previously look at was proof of guild, who are a collection of artists ranging from jewellers to ceramists who are based in japan, they produce a range called EZA animals, which are lost wax cast animal head brooches. There work is very clean and simple but has a big impact. This is something that I want to relate to my work as I do often create a huge range of samples but then struggle to add them together without looking to overwhelming. 
If you ever get the chance to visit ambiente.....do, it's a great way to see what sells and what Trends are arising

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Trying to look like apart of the furniture!

Spring fair at the NEC, Birmingham 2014

Unfortunately my attempt to be part of the furniture, was in fact my pathetic excuse to sit down. I journeyed to the spring fair specially to look at this years tends for jewellery. I was overwhelmed by stunning stones and dainty matching sets, which left me thinking about how I could incorporate these elements into my own practice, but before any serious thought went into that, I shortly found myself being lured into the amazing home ware section.

The exhibition over all was very informative and helpful, finally registered with the Birmingham assay office, can't wait to actually have my own hallmark made! 

Also found myself having a lovely chat with Emma Rankin from the British jewellery association, about how they can help you promote and set up your own jewellery business.

Me and my practice

Howdy!

My name is Libby Ward but I prefer to trade under Grated Finger Designs.

I’m currently in my final year at Staffordshire university on the 3D Design: Crafts course, specialising in contemporary body adornment, which means I hand make forms of jewellery in precious metals and also experiment with resin and other medias.

My designs range from cutting edge contemporary to essential simplistic jewellery.

In my last semester I create a body of specimens that evolved around the symptoms of the Black Death.

My development was based around the spreading of the disease, which lead me to looking at natural forms, such as moss and also experimented with food as a material. 

To further my development for this final body of work, I have decided to introduce a contrasting geometric fragment, through the use of naturally formed minerals. I shall combine this with surface embellishments onto metal.

As a designer/maker my work is heavily influenced by organic and natural forms, most of which have a darker underlying meaning, which is either referenced to myself or historical events.