The Phase Collective

Interviewed & Featured: John Gilsenan of IWANT design

It’s probably safe to say that one of the most inspirational things in a young designers life is the album artwork adorning their favorite music. So, we thought it would be fascinating to get a look behind the scenes with an interview and some perspective from John Gilsenan of IWANT design. Based in London, John designs for Buzzin’ Fly Records, the electronic label of Everything But The Girl’s, Ben Watt. If you’re not familiar with them, you probably do know Tracy Thorn (the other half of EBTG) who was featured on Massive Attack’s prolific song, Protection.

Now at the at the forefront of the British dance scene, Buzzin Fly will be releasing it’s 50th single called Bright Star featuring Stimming, Ben Watt and Julia Biel. Buzzin’ Fly is well know for their quality audio and their attention to packaging and developing a visual brand with award winning artwork has helped to define the label. It’s no surprise then that the Bright Star single will be lovingly packaged as a double gatefold with gold foil block and a poster insert. We caught up with John recently to learn a little more about his background and the creative process of designing for a record label.

Full interview after the jump.

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Tags: Album Artwork, Ben Watt, Bright Star, Buzzin Fly, Dance, Electronic, England, Everything But The Girl, IWANT design, John Gilsenan, London, Massive Attack, Record Label, Single, UK

Anders Creative: Letterpress

Here are a couple of recent letterpress cards. The type is a handset wood Gothic Condensed typeface for the “Thanks” and handset foundry Huxley Vertical for “Anders Creative”. As for the elk… just a random line cut. Long live letterpress!

The thank you cards are available for purchase here.

Old Magazines

Hadn’t broken away from the computer in a while, so I pulled out an old magazine, shredded a few pieces, cut a few pieces, and glued it all down. Of course it comes back in to the computer and gets tweaked up a bit. Just a bit though. Sometimes a quick (and otherwise pointless) side project is the perfect fix.

Tags: art, collage, typography

Featured: Michael Vincent Manalo

“I am a lover of life. I get inspired from a multitude of things, from what I see everyday, from what my mind collects from its wandering state and from what my dreams and daydreams are made of.”

“I am Michael Vincent Manalo, a person who likes to dream and forge them for people to believe in dreams.”

Dream on.

Tags: digital art, digital illustration, illustration, Manalo