Aillecks

Graphic designer Cocktail Enthusiast Fond of Dogs

[alexandramatsoukas]

[alexandramatsoukas]

Such a beautiful space

[alexandramatsoukas]

[alexandramatsoukas]

Went out to the Bradmill Factory in Yarraville and took some shots

[alexandramatsoukas]

White Possum is the best way to enjoy Australian craft spirits. White Possum members get exciting Australian craft spirits delivered to their door monthly or quarterly.

I got a promotion & pay rise in my job and as a congratulations to myself I signed myself up for monthly new mystery deliveries of Australian craft spirits. I’m so excited. I have just contacted them to see if they would like to join in advertising for Boozehound. Their brand suits what we are passionate about; learning and supporting local industries doing cool new stuff. Plus; drinking.

[superlunary-distraction]

Week 7

A selection of images from our cocktail photoshoot with alexandramatsoukas

This was not only my first time using a Canon camera, but also my first time using a 50mm lens. It took a lot of adjusting and we rigged up a really quick and gritty lighting setup due to other plans that we were relying on, falling through. But all in all I think we got some really great shots, and I’m happy with the end results. It was a learning experience for sure but that is what we are here for.

I feel like our lighting/camera workshops with guest lecturer Andy helped immensely. Getting the right shot is one of those fickle things, especially when you throw lighting into the mix, and I feel like that is what his lectures showed me. That trial and error is always going to occur in photography, even when you know what you’re doing, if you want to get that perfect shot. As you get more advanced in your knowledge and skill set the time it takes you to achieve that shot will be cut down, and you’ll have a better understanding of exactly where to position everything to get the shot you want from the beginning, but there is still an element of tweaking and guesswork involved lol. At least that is a bit reassuring for a beginner like me.

I’d love to get my own lens like this for my Nikon at home, or at least get to play around with this one (and the 100mm lens which Sheri originally suggested that I use, but could not attain since the camera shop had none left for hire) a bit more. 

We worked on a lot more, like our articles, and I’ve been slowly getting through the imagery for the magazine. But I really wanted to show off the fun stuff. The photography. It is nice to have some tangible stuff to show off for the magazine finally.

[alexandramatsoukas]

Sian took some lovely photos of me making cocktails at work for Boozehound. Click below for more info

[thingsforwilliam]

Boozehound’s first shoot 🍸 (at The Butterfly Club)

[alexandramatsoukas]

Today was ridiculously stressful but I am very excited to see the outcome of some drinks I whipped up and superlunary-distraction photography.

[thingsforwilliam]

Version one of my whiskey based beetroot cocktail

[alexandramatsoukas]

Prepping for my Boozehound shoot tomorrow.

[alexandramatsoukas]

Week 5 and 6

Week 5 was a big one. We had a meeting on Thursday and caught up on a lot of work. We got back on schedule with our Gannt sheet and I finished off a masthead.

Masthead Version 1

Bringing the masthead to the group I got some excellent feedback. We came to the conclusion that although it was an interesting masthead, it did not reflect the brand essence. In conclusion, it looked like an Australian surf brand. We put the masthead back on the drawing board, getting some good sketches happening within the class and assigning the project to Mitch (as we were happiest with his sketches).

Week 6 I got in contact with the lovely people from Melbourne Bartender Exchange for superlunary-distraction‘s visual essay project of bartenders and their dogs. The support we have gotten is amazing. We collected a group of keen people who we will contact once we have finalised some dates. I also pitched my recipe how-to short video for the interactive PDF to a group of film students. I have secured the location, and the dates which we are going to film. I had a couple of keen people who have emailed me, but I have not heard back. I have a mental Plan B incase they don’t pull through. Filming is on Tuesday. It will be nice to get one of the many of our articles finalised. 

Before Monday

Finalise recipes for the magazine

Breakdown of each article content

Complete personal KPI form

Email person for Editorial interview

Decide on which place we are going to for our Industry content

[alexandramatsoukas]

Last night on my way home from work, @auntieducks and I went to a little hole in the wall bar I have been meaning to check out for ages. Boozehound research is the perfect opportunity for such endeavours. We took a handful of  photos, but this one is the highlight.

The cocktail was called The Evans. Beautiful apricot brandy base with some bitters and orange, a smooth fruity experience with a gorgeous garnish.

[alexandramatsoukas]

Tried to take a couple nice photos of our current foster dog, Ziggy. A difficult subject because he NEVER STOPS MOVING and always makes the silliest faces.

Hopefully this little shoot will help him get adopted though.

[graphicdesignblg]

the Cafe Racer by Revoltan Twitter || Source

[alexandramatsoukas]

Dreaming of cafe racers

[alexandramatsoukas]

End of week four: I feel awful. Here’s a photo proving how awful I feel. 

I had a big weekend of work and tried to fend off sickness the whole time but it caught up and all I could do was sleep all day and drink tea. My head is a foggy mess. This is a set back on my end because today was booked in study date that didn’t happen. I’m working out a way to be active in class tomorrow, but I might head to the doctor and hope it’s nothing worse than a cold.

Things I really need to finish off tomorrow: - Masthead (I have done research for it, just a matter of finalising AI files and picking what the group likes best) - Uploaded article break down - Trello up and running for the trimester - Clean the damn house - Don’t be sick, just don’t

In good news: This ugly photo means my  brother leant me his fancy SLR camera! Thanks lil bro. Some amateur photos - most likely of dogs and drinks - to come.

[alexandramatsoukas]

An updated, as promised: Today we went to where paper lives. KW Doggett were kind enough to open their doors to us and showed us around their warehouse and office. We got to play with different paper stock and see how different papers effected printing. I learnt about a few more printers that I am going to add to an ever expanding spreadsheet to quote when the time comes. The lady was a lot more relaxed today and therefore was more excited to teach, although she was still disappointed by two people in the class. 

I am really inspired to do something with uncoated paper because I think the results of soft, deep, photography printed can be really beautiful. Whether or not Boozehound will suit that finish is undecided and will be cleared up by next weeks style guide.  Regardless, I think I am going to go there again with another design friend who has produced a magazine and purchase some stuff for each other (we have been planning a zine for forever) and for Boozehound.  Today I have also begun setting up our Trello. I am about 60% done, I just need to finish off putting all the information in, which I think can be done over a coffee some time this week. 

[alexandramatsoukas]

Week 3 and 4: progress

Week three was crazy on the life side of things. Festival season started at work, so the theatre was flooded with new comers to cabaret, and espresso martini fiends. By the end of the week I was exhausted and wishing I had completed more on the magazine end of things. This week I have pulled back work, and dedicated some days to get creative. 

Week 3 class we had was a bit funny, we attempted to learn about paper from a scatter brained paper specialist. I am marking that up to a bad day and we get to see her work in her own environment tomorrow so I am looking foreword to that and will let you know how it goes. If nothing else - I aim to bring home some great paper stock. The first class of week four was excellent and even though I was stressing, we (two thirds of the group) got heaps completed. We have gutted out the magazine content and layout, the responsibilities and roles of the group, and we are getting some great brainstorming happening on what actual content we are looking for in our magazine. 

I have woken up at 12am and can’t stop thinking about my masthead and although I should attempt to sleep again I have written notes down and will start sketching and getting my ideas into AI. I am scared that my ideas are all dream-excellent and when I attempt to produce them they will look like poo, ha ha. 

Okay this week mini checklist:

Masthead / Logo

Our brand essence, refined

More magazine thumbnails of the overall look

Content research breakdown

I’ll check in tomorrow.

[thingsforwilliam]

Boozehound magazine begins… 🐶 (at SAE Institute Melbourne)

[alexandramatsoukas]

Week three we were briefed on storyboard requirements. Here’s some  planning research for Boozehound. 

I aim to have some drafts of storyboarding up by next Tuesday.