Fight for your cause...

Over the last few weeks we have all seen and heard about the highly publicised rise in tuition fees for university students, potentially tripling students debt in the future. Being a former student myself, currently with around £8,500 debt which slowly climbs each year, i can understand peoples frustration at what seems like an insult to the people who struggle financially each year.

What i don't agree with is the way that the unions and students alike have gone about "protesting" their cause. They are always billed as a peaceful protest and that they will peacefully march along a proposed route agreed by both the police and local authorities and in a perfect world it would all go smoothly.

As we have seen almost all of these "peaceful" protests descended into violence and disorder. Students wanting to fight their cause, and i wont say it was just a small minority because i don't believe it was, damaging and defacing government property and national and historical monuments, most notably the statue of Winston Churchill and our own national flag. This is pure shameful violence that carries no positive message that will possibly change the governments mind regarding the introduction of the higher tuition fees.

Think of it this way. Go to your local high street, find the biggest shiniest bank there, go inside and ask the prettiest woman behind the counter you can find for a loan, for your important university fees, with a microscopic interest rate that they will allow you to defer in times of need, and that after 25 years they will write off. You can try the bank next door but they will probably laugh you out of the door as well.

We should feel privileged that we live in such a developed country where we get free primary, secondary and college education, and that we have such good universities available for us. We don't live in a third world country where education is a luxury that few are blessed with and, contrary to belief, we are actually lucky to have politicians like David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Milliband who don't go round the country chopping peoples hand offs just because we didn't vote for them like Robert Mugabe.

I hope that every single person responsible for the disturbances, violence and damage are arrested and are dealt with severely and may start to think twice about the way they put their points and views across.

As my mother-in-law always says "You catch more bee's with honey than vinegar."

Respect

Today we saw the jailing of a muslim woman for attempted murder of her local MP. Roshonara Choudhry was a "stand-out" pupil who was highly respected by her peers and colleagues alike, who dropped out of her english class and apparently became a radicalised muslim, which i believe is a term that is thrown about way too much. She carried out the attack as a retaliation for Stephen Timms apparent involvement in the governments decision to invade Iraq and later Afghanistan. She

After a trial, where she didn't attend in person but by video link, she was jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years. She has committed a serious and violent crime and the jail term reflects that, maybe a little longer than it would have been if the crime was against a general member of the public, but still a justified sentence.

The one thing that has really annoyed from the trial were the supporters outside the courts claiming that the sentence handed down was unjust and that it was a slight against Islam and Muslims living in the UK. These people are the reasons that their a tensions between our communities, these are the excuse single minded people in this country, like the EDL and BNP, need to cause friction between two communities that could live side by side like anyone else.

ALL of the Muslim people i have ever met have been some of the nicest people you could wish to come across, they cant do enough to make you feel welcome and at ease. There is no doubting that it is a disciplined religion and can could come across as harsh but Abu Dhabi & Dubai were some of the nicest places i have seen and some extremely polite and welcoming people, and you can see the respect the people have for the laws and traditions of the country and religion.

Respect is the name of the game and people need to show a lot more of it, on both sides.

The Age of Coalition.

On May 6th i did something i had never done before... voted. Politics never inspired me in the past to do anything other than say "My vote wont make a difference". With that in mind, and my new found interest in politics i promised myself i would vote and that i would vote for whoever i felt grabbed my attention during the campaigns.

I liked Gordon Brown. I think he was dealt a shoddy hand but handled himself, Bigot-gate aside, very well and always with a sense of dignity. David Cameron never appealed to me, the Conservatives in my eyes were always the "Richer" party. I was always told of how the working class family disliked Thatcher and the rich got richer and the poorer got poorer. Nick Clegg was always an outsider, never in the spotlight and most people wouldn't have recognised him in a identity parade.

With predictions of a hung parliament months before the elections opened, i felt my vote would now count more than ever, i felt enthralled by the chaos and media frenzy that accompanied the general election. It was something that entertained millions of people and sparked into life some amazing scenes on voting day. The constant coverage on TV made it feel like a life changing moment, one of those "Can you remember where you were?" moments.

With the obvious hung parliament, David Cameron needed to form a coalition with one of the smaller parties, which left the Liberal Democrats in a very powerful position. Nick Clegg who was the under-dog from day one, now had both of the larger parties fighting for his allegiance to form the next government. He was the deal maker, the person who had the say in the next government. He chose the Conservatives, who held the largest share of the votes but fell short of the majority needed for a single party government. Under the terms of the coalition, this would put Nick Clegg as the Deputy PM, the first liberal since David Lloyd George during WW1 to hold any position of power within the british government.

I voted for Nick Clegg on polling day and i am glad he now holds a position within the cabinet because i think he has the attitude a modern politician needs, i think he is approachable and dare i say it, quite honest. Cameron, has endeared me to him a little more with the compromises on key policies.

I liked the whole experience of the live TV debates, campaigning and Media coverage surrounding the election and also the uncertain days after it was declared a hung parliament. It sounded so exciting when a lonely man, in the middle of downing street, declared that "Her Majesty, The Queen, has asked me to form a government and i have accepted". I am also a proud believer in our monarchy. I hate it when people question the "point" of them being around, i think them being here is great for our country and a reminder that what our country was, and still is, like. I am a proud believer in tradition and wouldn't change any of it.

One thing on voting day that really got at me was the people who complained about not being able to exercise their democratic right to vote. The polls were open for 15 hours, 7am - 10pm and one woman that had been to the polling station on 4 different occasions left because the queue was too long. I mean, can someone of your age be that stupid? Stay in the queue. You don't walk round the supermarket, fill your basket, get to the checkouts and because the lines are too long, walk away and leave your shopping do you? Use some common sense and queue up like everyone else. I can understand some peoples frustrations when they have actually stayed in the queue for hours and got nowhere. But when push comes to shove, they are rules that this country has followed for decades, and i wouldn't change them.

So now it is time for David Cameron PM & Nick Clegg D-PM to show the country what they can both do and pull us back up to the heights this country was once at.

Smithead Creative

Chris Smith (Smithead) is one of the most talented illustrators and designers i have seen in years. He was always producing brilliant pieces even in the beginning of our course and has gone on to secure himself a position at a interactive design agency in Manchester.

Check it out here.

Yes lad...

Chopsy

One of my extremely good friends, Jon Hannan, has just re-vamped his online portfolio since he graduated from The Manchester School of Art. He's been a good friend for a few years now and i'm sure you'll love the work he has on show. Check out his blog too.

Check his website out here

Update v1.0

Hi,

I've not updated my blog in a few months so i thought i would keep you informed with happenings in my world.

My wedding preparations are in full swing and we have pretty much sorted everything out with the exception of a photographer, DJ & the rings. I really can't wait to be honest with you, its a long time off and everyone keeps giving me the old adage "It'll be here sooner than you know it!!" but that still doesn't put me at any ease. It's going to be one hell of a day.

As some of you know, i went for my first RAF AST in April and although i did extremely well and received an extremely high score, it wasn't enough to start the ball rolling for the position i want. So i will have to do it all again sometime in or soon after October 2010, unless i am successful with any subsequent applications to the Greater Manchester Police which still to this day remains my ideal employer.

I know have my own car, a 1999 VW Golf 1.4 16v SE in Jazz Blue. I love having my own freedom now, i can get to and from work without having to rely on my friends, its bliss.

Until later....

Ben x

A Path Is Never Set...

Since i left university, it hasn't been easy in trying to find my correct career path. I've jumped from idea to idea, thinking of what i would like to do for a living. Like anyone i have ideals and preferences in what i want to do. I have always been interested in Graphic Design, making something aesthetically pleasing and also being able to communicate a message through different mediums has been a focal point in my life for the past 8-9 years now.

Ever since i was a a young boy, 10-11 years old at most, i wanted to be a policeman. Its always been something that appealed to me on a deeper level, i liked the idea of challenging myself both physically and mentally every day. I applied back in December 2008 during a Greater Manchester Police recruitment drive, i even went in late for work to make sure my application was all correct and that i was happy with my answers. I passed the initial paper sift but failed on the second stage, the competence based questions. By failing this application, i was unable to apply for another six months to any force. 6 months passed, i checked the recruitment website each day to see when they were recruiting but to no avail.

It was only recently that i was browsing the usual call center jobs and debt management assistant jobs on various different recruitment websites that i considered the armed forces. I never really felt comfortable on the idea of joining the Army so i automatically looked at both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. I took personality tests, IQ tests and a handful of different questionnaires that gave me a selection of positions i could consider applying for, one of them, happened to be an RAF Policeman. I read the job desription, a little biography by an operational policeman in the RAF and it seems like a job i would love to do. Something to feel enthusiastic about for sure.

It made me think that no matter what you study for or plan for, your path is never set. You have to work at every twist and turn your life can swing in front of you. You always have to think positive and consider all options, no matter how small or inconspicuous they seem to you. The RAF was never at the forefront of my mind when i left school or university , but now it has become the front runner in my career options, its the one that offers me the most optimism about mine and my fiances future. Ultimately that is my goal, to be a provider, a bread winner and have a feeling when i am older that i made the right choices.

But even now, i still don't know that this is the right choice...
and i wont until i do it...

Certain Degree of Dilution?

Each year around 80,000 newly graduated people walk out of university with a degree, and venture into the big wide world of work and employment. Or do they?

The question i have been asking recently is "Is a Degree still worth it?"

I left university with my HND (I know its not a degree!) and nearly £12,000 debt. I now work for a video store, earning national minimum wage and not one job that i have applied for has even been courteous enough to send me a rejection reply. I have applied for numerous positions, in different fields, on different websites, from different newspapers and not one has had the decency to get in touch and tell me "Thanks but no thanks".

Being frustrated has then led me to question whether i was right to leave my full time job to return to education? Based on the evidence that has happened over the last 2 years, i can't justify being debt ridden and in a dead end job. I know people who graduated their course, with honours in subjects such as Politics, and they work for national minimum wage and are not even full time. Potential is being wasted in low paid jobs and because 90% of companies are not willing to even consider someone who doesnt have relevant "work" experience, they are becoming dejected and feeling disillusioned.

I have a friend from college who went on to complete a BSc in Games Design at Bolton University. He has been unable to find any work what so ever since he left. Whilst he was at a meeting with his Job Center adviser, they told him his qualification wouldn't get him more than a meat packing job. I mean the guy has done a Bachelor of Science degree and can write program scripts, proficient in Animation techniques amongst other things, and they recommended he attend a basic computer knowledge course to "boost" his chance of bagging an IT job. He is probably more qualified at operating computer systems than anybody working at the Job Center.

I enjoyed every minute of my course at City College Manchester, i met some fantastic friends who i intend to stay in touch with for as long as humanly possible, so for that i am grateful, as for the piece of paper at the end of it? Up to now its the most expensive item i own, currently standing at nearly £12,000, and to other people, it seems worthless.

How can we encourage young people to gain extra qualifications when there are just no jobs available? Not unless you would like to work in an Inbound/Outbound call center, or would like to be a call center debt adviser?

The one thing i believe we need is more proactive careers advisers at all higher education colleges and Universities. I wasn't offered any help in pursing a career in graphic design, and i know it wont happen over night but a helping hand will never be turned away. If that service was there when i left, i was never told nor was i ever nudged towards it. I believe it should be a compulsory service to all leavers, although i understand that they will not be able to help everybody, if they help even 10% more people to find employment in their chosen field, it will have been worth it.

In the words of the mighty Tesco (and a very good copy-writer) "Every Little Helps".

Take Care
x

Blog vs Website

When i left university, i had my website eightpoint3.com up and running, i built it and designed it myself. I kept my watchful eye over it for the duration of my course, during my exhibitions, but since i left my course i didn't update it or bother remodeling it when i probably should have.

I also had this blog whilst i was on my course, now while i was studying i never updated it, never bothered with it as i thought "its ok, i have my website". Since then my opinion has changed drastically, i got rid of my site and left myself with this blog, thinking its easier to update, i can do it on the move from my phone. It left me thinking, is there any need for me to have a site? Do i really need to pay each month/year to host something i might not use etc?

I've got to that point in my life where i am beginning to think i have wasted my time at university and didn't do the course i probably should have done. I'm not the sort of person who can sit there and deliver a poster or piece of witty typography because i think in my head it has no purpose or directive. I need an objective or target to aim for, something to drive me along because i don't have the drive to sit down and do it myself. I miss having people to bounce my ideas off, whilst at university i had some great friends who i could sit down with and chat, make fun of each other and still produce something that was worthy of showing off.

I don't know where this ended up but it certainly wasn't the post i set out to write but hey!!

Dont Take This World Away From Me.....

Beer Bottle Designs

Through a tweeter which i follow, Jacob Cass, i found this website. It showcases some of the brilliant packaging designs for the alcohol industry i have ever seen. I personally would like one of each bottle on display in my house, although that would make me look like a raging alcoholic.

Its not just designing the label that makes these examples special, its the idea's behind them, heres one fantastic specimen...

If you would like to have a look through 50 beautiful beer can & bottle designs, click here

Few Photo's

All Photos ©Eightpoint3 2010. Taken by Eightpoint3, Canon EOS400d & iPhone.

Camerabag

Recently i have pretty much turned my iphone into a mobile photo editing suite, thanks to the many apps that are available from the App Store. I've downloaded quite a few and got rid of them straight away but some i have kept, some have their own little niche that i wont get on any other.

The one that stands out from the crowd for me is Camera Bag by Nevercenter (available for PC, Mac & iPhone). This application is extremely simple to use and can make anybodies photographs look professionally edited, with the help of a few filters. You simply choose your photo from your library or take a new one and load it directly into the app, and swipe through the list of previews for each filter and save the one you like the most.

The only drawback from this app is the lack of ability to tweet, facebook or flickr the photo as apposed to some of the other apps on the market, but still has my vote as the best camera app out there. If you have a twitter, flickr or facebook application then it's not so much of a bad thing but would be nice to be able to do it directly from this app.

I strongly suggest that you all check it out and let the camera in your pocket become that little bit more.

Love x.

Revolutionary?

Since i was about 15 years of age, i have listened to Blink 182, i am never ashamed to admit that they are, and always have been, my favourite band. I enjoy every single one of their albums and the bands attitude has always been an escape for me, as i imagine it has been for millions of people.

Its never been about songwriting, talent or anything the "critics" would mark them on. It always been a passion, a sense of understanding i have with the way they are. They are a band who talk about stupid stuff on stage, but on the other hand, go on political rallies with presidential candidates.

As you can imagine, when i heard the news that Blink 182 had gone on "an Indefinite Hiatus", i was inconsolable. I was like a teenage girl who favourite boy band had just broke up. The one silver lining to the break had been the formation of two new projects containing the 3 members of Blink, most notably for me, Angels and Airwaves. This isn't to say i didn't enjoy +44, i really did, i even went to see them live and "When Your Heart Stops Beating" is still a fantastic album.

I just anticipated the AVA album more. Maybe it was the "Second coming of christ" style remarks from a very strange, and mouthy, Tom. The first album to come from AVA, was of course "We Don't Need To Whisper", which i really enjoyed but it wasn't quite right. It had the anthemic songs, songs that put pictures in my head, explained a story but not all the songs grabbed me. "The Adventure" was the first song i heard from the album, and i loved it, i played it over and over, start to finish, day in day out.

When the second album "I-Empire" was released a year later, it felt like the missing piece to the puzzle. It felt like the first album was a taster of what they had up their sleeves. This was it, this was what the first album should have been like. I can personally say that "I-Empire" was my album for 2009. I never tire of listening to it, each song has its own sound and feel to it and no song feels out of place. I couldn't even choose a stand out song from it.

The new album comes out on Valentines day this year and is being promoted heavily to coincide with the release of the "Love" motion picture, which was originally mentioned before the first album. For an album titled "Love" then there is no better release day than Valentines day and whats better, its going to be a FREE release. Tom Delonge has said that most kids get their music for free nowadays but still come to gigs, purchase merchandise and therefore still contribute to the bands financial upkeep. They have been given permission from Geffen, to self release the album at an estimated personal cost estimated to be around $500,000.

Now as some of you are probably thinking, "Whats the catch?". Well there is one. You have to sign up to the Modlife website that is owned by AVA at a cost of $6.95 a month, you do get to have webcam chats with the band, member only gigs, merch amongst other things. Is this a good way to promote albums for the future? is it a revolutionary move that other bands will follow?
The revenue generated from customers signing up to the Modlife platform would far exceed any amount they would earn from royalties through a label so why not take the risk.

Personally i think the prospect of signing up for a monthly subscription of $6.95 a month, to get a free album doesn't make sense. Its a backwards logic. The album is going to be sold on digital retailers for around $5-$10 anyway so why not pay the one fee, and get the album anyway?

I think the idea's are all there to produce a method for bands to attract more people to their music, generate more income and make it a level playing field for bands and their fans financially. But charging them for something, and as a reward you get a free album, doesn't strike me as being a good financial decision for any consumer.

I may be proven wrong, only time can tell, but the jury is definitely still out.
The album is out on 14th January. You can see the article that prompted this rant here

Top 100 Fonts of all time.

Whilst browsing round the internet, looking at new typefaces and things i can do with them, i came across this site. Its all in german but its a compiled list of the top 100 fonts of all time. I think its pretty obvious which is crowned the best of all time, one of my personal fave's.

Have a look round, you might just find a new favourite. Die 100 Besten Schriften

Inkmonkey Designs

Just another quick post, my homie has had to re-do his blog so head on over to InkMonkey's blog here

7 Rules.

I saw this on one of my regular design sites i visit, and i just love it. I think the placement of all the "commandments" as it were, are just spot on. I really like this style of layout, somewhere in-between a wanted poster and a boxing poster.

If you want to buy this, its in €'s, then here it is

Wedding Invites

As some of you may know, i am getting married in 18 Months time to my fiance Jaime. I have decided to design our wedding invitations, one to keep the costs down a little and two, to give me something graphically to work on. Now i am not one for going with tradition, i want something a little different, and i would like to start getting things together now.

I've been scouring the internet tonight to look for ones i really like, so i can use these as a basis for my own design. Here's what i have managed to find so far that really stood out from the masses!

Location:Mill St,Boothstown,United Kingdom

Abu Dhabi Nov 2009

Just a few snaps of my time in Abu Dhabi.

2009

Well 2009 was a great year for myself, hope yours was equally as rewarding. A lot can happen in 12 months and it certainly did. 2010 is promising to be a busy and even more rewarding year by the looks of it. My new years resolution is to actively seek out new employment, i have been all over the internet scouring the web for new jobs. My ideal would be for me to apply to the police once again but they are not hiring any time soon, so i have to carry out my contingency plan, Sales or Retail. Fail.

Well its been a while since i managed to get on here and update where i am at. I have moved out of my parents once again, after Jaime and i made the decision to put our Australian expedition on hold for a few years. It just felt a little quick and we need more experience in what our chosen career paths have to offer. The decision came about after we visited Abu Dhabi, we realised that it was extremely hard for everyone to come to terms with family members living 1000's of miles away. We haven't cancelled it altogether, we have postponed it for a few years. Its still on our agenda.

One thing that happened in Abu Dhabi was we got engaged! Yes, thats right, i popped the question. I even got on one knee, how good am i!

We've not set a date in stone yet but we have September 2011 in mind. I'm even going to see a wedding planner in about a weeks time at a prospective venue in worsley.

I'm going to upload some photos of my Abu Dhabi trip very soon.

Bye for now. x