Cartoon (life considered): social media fatigue
Posted by Guy Downes on August 31, 2010 under Cartoons | 
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My commute: from country to capital
Posted by Guy Downes on August 30, 2010 under Illustration | 3 Comments to Read
The QantasLink to Tamworth: usually a Bombardier 74 seater Q400 or 50 seater Q300
Working as a graphic recorder and illustrator based in Country NSW means I fly frequently to events, conferences, workshops and client meetings in the capital cities. The funny thing is my commute, for example from Tamworth to Sydney, is now only fractionally longer than when I was working and living in Sydney. Crazy but true.
Boarding at Tamworth Airport: the view
I now travel over 450 kms in less time than it took sitting on a bus crawling down Victoria Rd in peak hour thanks to the great service provided by Qantas Link and the rail link from Domestic Terminal to Sydney CBD. If I jump on the 6:30am flight in Tamworth, I can be at Town Hall/QVB by about 7:45am. Not bad at all. Plus, on the flight, I always get a seat, friendly customer service, a coffee, and space and time to read my notes. And there’s absolutley no traffic getting to Tamworth airport.
Walking to the Brindabella turbo prop (18 seater) headed for Brisbane
I also travel Brindabella Airlines to Brisbane and it’s another great service: on time, reliable with good customer service. The plane is so small you can see right into the cockpit and you’re even given ear plugs on board to muffle the noise of the engines. The in flight catering is served up from an esky as you step into the plane – this just adds to the great experience. It’s also the type of turbo prop that when it banks left or right and you lurch into whatever direction the plane is heading (and you can’t help feel like you’re in an Indiana Jones movie).
The inflight catering delivered in a trusty Esky
One of the leading airlines had a great slogan in the early 2000’s that said: “How will your business take off, if you don’t?”. I agree 100% and flying around Australia is vital to me. Airlines like QantasLink, Brindabella and Rex are my life lines. And it’s a great way to travel – some of the views over regional Australia from the air are simply breathtaking. It beats the bus down Victoria Road every time.
On board: sketching inside a Brindabella Jetstream (30 seater)
Simply breath taking: Palm Beach from the air
Back in Tamworth where 4WDs are used for what they were designed for
Back home. Sunset view from East Tamworth.
International Advertising Association: drawing the boardroom brainstorm
Posted by Guy Downes on August 12, 2010 under Graphic Recording | Be the First to Comment
Before the brainstorm, blank graphic recording posters are ready to go
Working as a graphic recorder recently took me to the Clemenger Group building* in St. Leonard’s where I had been invited to capture a planning brainstorm for the Australian Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA).
The aim of this session was for the IAA board to discuss and brainstorm their vision and strategy for the next few years and explore opportunities for the association.
As a graphic recorder, my role was to distill the key ideas, conversation flow and the main themes during a three hour meeting onto large posters that filled one side of the boardroom wall. Using my technique of combining images, sketches, words and colour, my objective was to listen intently to the brainstorm and draw an engaging visual record of the discussion so that the IAA board could stand back and creatively see the “big picture” of what they had been talking about.
6 metres of conversation and ideas: the posters are near completion
My graphic recording posters provided a visual overview and creative record that the IAA board will now use as a reference point in future workshops and to help plan the association’s future direction and priorities.
The IAA is the only international organisation that brings together advertisers, agencies, the media and practitioners in all aspects of marketing communications into one professional body to promote matters of common interest. One of the association’s goals is to promote the critical role and benefits of advertising as the vital force behind all healthy economies and the foundation of diverse, independent media.
The IAA board in discussion and brainstorming ideas
*The Clemenger Group boardroom probably has one of the best views of Sydney from the lower north shore. Sadly, I didn’t take a picture…
Cartoon (life considered): it’s hump day
Posted by Guy Downes on August 10, 2010 under Cartoons | Be the First to Comment
Cartoon (life considered): if it’s too good to be true…
Posted by Guy Downes on August 9, 2010 under Cartoons | Be the First to Comment
Drawing the ideas of 100 school students at Bankstown Youth Summit
Posted by Guy Downes on August 3, 2010 under Graphic Recording | Be the First to Comment
Graphic recording at community events with school students is one of the most rewarding environments I get to work in. Being able to ‘draw their ideas’ is fantastic as students always have something to say and they say it with energy, passion and enthusiasm.
Graphic recording in action: me, listening intently and drawing furiously
I recently put my graphic recording skills to paper at the Bankstown Youth Summit where more than than 100 local young people met at the Town Hall to discuss ideas for the city’s future.
Illustrating ideas: the World Cafe poster
With almost 20 per cent of the local community aged between 12 and 24 years old, getting their views and voices heard is very important. By capturing all the ideas and key themes in colourful, large scale posters with a mixture of pictures, icons and words, my graphic recording was used to make sure ‘voices were heard’ and allowed the ideas to live on well after the event. In terms of return-on-investment, the Council has since been using my graphic recording posters to support their planning process for the Bankstown Community Plan.
My skills were also used to create poster templates that the students could populate with ideas and thoughts during breakout sessions and workshops during the day.
What will make the biggest difference?: a template for the students to fill with ideas on post-it notes
What is a quick or early win? Blank template poster. Notice the fork in the bottom right hand corner to show its actual size.
The ‘Youth Summit’ was organised by Bankstown City Council in collaboration with Straight Talk (a leading community engagement and strategic communications consultancy) as part of community consultation on the new Bankstown Community Plan. Bankstown City Council will be using the Plan as a long-term strategy document to guide the growth and development of the city.
Window of hope: blank template poster ready for the students coloured pictures
Window of hope poster: full with student names, pictures and brimming with colour
A full house: students brainstorm ideas in working groups
My graphic recording area: right next to the action