Hello!

Welcome to my blog. I would like this to be a space to open conversations, share inspirations, process, successes and failures, and invite your thoughts, critique, discussion and debate.

Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments link, or email me with any articles or information that may be relevant.

COMBO-17, “a rich scattering of galaxies”

---

Last year…

…was a massive year. Massive personally rather than professionally and sometimes in life that is exactly what is called for. I made a big move from the city to the country, (well technically that was a couple of years ago – but it was last year that I really began to find my feet in country living), I fell in love, he and his 2 kids moved in, I got engaged to the lovely man, and made a beautiful circle of friends in my new home, in addition to the lovely friends/family existing. Sometimes the universe dishes it up real nice. All of this beauty came after a particularly trying time personally – which for me, gives all this good stuff a big dose of perspective along with it.

---

This year…

It’s time to get busy. I decided over the christmas / new year break that this is the year to make some things happen. To join forces with other designers, and other professionals to help get some projects off the ground that I am passionate about. And to work collaboratively again, after a couple of years working solo on my own products.

The list of projects is a little scary and though not a long list – each project is reasonably large. They are a mix of self-initiated art projects, and collaborative projects with other companies, and as such I best not divulge each one here just yet.

Though I have decided on one to commit to, and have set a deadline with the lovely people at Stockroom in Kyneton, where the exhibition will be held. I don’t have a title for it yet, and at this point, I know what its aim is, but not really how I’m going to get there. It is this stage of the process that I love – a world of possibility – so exciting.

The inspiration for the exhibition is astronomy.

My love for astronomy was born when I was introduced to the above photograph, at about the age of 19. Every speck of light that can be seen in the image is not a star, it is actually a galaxy, that may be much larger or much smaller than our own galaxy, The Milky Way, but nonetheless – a galaxy. Its kind of impossible to fathom really that beyond our own galaxy, there are potentially infinite galaxies. When I first saw this image – it was the first time the monument of the universe made some kind of sense to me; and the following wonder of our place within it as humans; and then all the myriad of flora and fauna and all the creatures on the earth seemed like so much more of a monumental feat. And that as far as we know so far, we are the only life in it. I love the idea that there is other life out there, and imagining the exponential potential for life if that is so. I have done a bit of reading on astronomy since I first saw this image, and am constantly inspired by ideas in astronomy and scientific theory: like black holes, fractals, SETI, to name a few.

So the idea is to attempt to visually communicate the vast beauty of our universe, and some of the scientific theories that help us to understand it better. Ideally I would love for it to appeal to both children and adults, but mostly help to open children’s eyes to some of the amazing concepts in astronomy.

Needless to say – I am a designer, not an astronomer or physicist. So a first point of call will be to find some people to collaborate with. I would very much like the outcome of this project to be based in fact, so that it can be educational. I plan to share the process of this project here, and invite your critique, and involvement.

---

Inspiration of another kind…

As an aside, on a recent magical mystery tour of Melbourne, I discovered Der Raum: the most interesting bar, and drinking experience… try “Pharmacy” a tribute to Damien Hirst, a cocktail served in a medicine bottle, with a side of syringe filled with something delicious (alcohol only!), and a pill. You squirt the syringe, and pop the pill into the bottle, shake, and drink. The pill is eaten afterwards as a palette cleanser. Awesome.

Jessie

The Measure range

The Type Directors Club awards are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious international design awards in the world. This year, of the nearly 1800 entries, from 33 participating countries, just 215 were selected to receive an award for Typographic Excellence.

Foundry is delighted to receive this award for Measure; a range of paper tools to poke, prod, and measure just about everything around us. Inspired by the strong graphic language and seductive simplicity of measuring tools; the Measure range comprises useful, relevant information for every day use in the home. Titles in the series are Produce in Season, Everyday, Wine, Height, Lunar phases, and Yearly calendar.

The Measure range will be exhibited with the 55th awards exhibition in New York (opening date TBA), and will then tour other cities in the United States, Canada, England, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Russia and Spain.

---

Design process

“At the start of our design process, the tangible outcome is usually unknown. Measure evolved from a hunch, and our passion/obsession in the subject matter of all things scientific. So the process of Measure’s design was led by research; into the history of measuring instruments and systems, their relation to cultural/historical context, and then related topics such as botanical illustration, wine evaluation, lunar phases etc.

Along the way we stumbled upon intriguing information, such as ‘Some of the unusual collective nouns for various types of animal: charm of hummingbirds; crash of hippopotami; shiver of sharks; smack of jellyfish’(1). And the way a second is scientifically described: ‘a period of time which makes the frequency of a certain radiation emitted by atoms of cesium-133 equal to 9 192 631 770 hertz (cycles per second). In other words, if we really want to measure a second, we count 9 192 631 770 cycles of this radiation.’(2)

A core value of our studio is the passionate belief in the role that design can play in enriching and positively contributing to people’s every day lives. Coupling this philosophy with the research on measurement we had compiled, the project aim crystallized; to create a commercially viable product for the home, that was useful, interesting, educational, and positive.

Measure’s high production quality, and original format is designed to evoke delight, engage the user in the subject matter, and present the product as a beautiful, covetable and functional object.”

-Jessie Stanley (nee Fairweather)

(1) A Measure of Everything, Christopher Joseph, p 92.
(2) How Many? A Dictionary of Units of Measurement, copyright Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

---

The Measure story

Everything around us is made up of a delicate combination of elements and ingredients, each ranging in their complexity. Add or take a bit here or there, and you get soda water instead of water, or infinitely worse, vinegar instead of wine.

Add time into the mix and not only is every individual thing in our environment made up of a complex and totally different set of elements: it is all constantly moving and evolving.

So, not to be defeated by our environment, humans have sought out almost every way conceivable to poke, prod and measure just about everything around us. Measure continues in that tradition, with a useful range of paper instruments for every day use in the home.

---

Awards

Certificate of Typographic Excellence
Type Directors Club of New York
TDC 55, 2009
http://tdc.org/tdc_site/competitions.html

Premiers Design Mark
Premiers Design Awards 2008
www.stateofdesign.com.au/
premiersdesignawards

---

Produce in season

Keep track of the freshest produce in season. Display it in your kitchen, or keep it tucked away with your favourite recipe books and your culinary delights will never have tasted so good.

Description Produce in season measure. English, Italian. Rich black print on premium white card. Complete with produce finder and envelope case.
Dimensions Chart 120 × 840mm, package 130 × 290mm
RRP $19.95 AUD

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

Everyday

Sort out some pesky little numbers: convert kilos to ounces with ease, and know your pints from your pecks. Keep it tucked away in your kitchen drawer as your ready reckoner.

Description Conversion cards: Ready reference, Weights & measures, Length, Temperature, International. English, Italian, German, French, Japanese. Rich black print on premium white card. Complete with envelope case.
Dimensions Cards 80 × 210mm, package: 90 × 220mm
RRP $14.95 AUD

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

Wine

Sort out your mushroom aromas from your berry aromas, your full body from your flabby body, and in general a damn fine drop from swill.

Description Wine evaluation book, 88pp. English, Italian, German, French, Japanese. Rich black print on premium white paper, features tactile white linen binding, heavy cover.
Dimensions 80 × 210mm
RRP $24.95 AUD

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

Height

Keep record of your families evolution in height through time. Display it on the wall or keep it in its time capsule for years to come.

Description Height chart. (2 – 6ft, or 61 – 183cm) English, Italian, German, French, Japanese. Rich black print on premium white card. Complete with envelope case.
Dimensions Chart 80 × 1260mm, package: 90 × 220mm
RRP $14.95 AUD

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

Lunar phases

Track the phases of the moon wherever you are in the world. Display it on your toilet door for some astronomical inspiration in your quieter moments.

Description Lunar phases chart; southern and northern hemispheres. English, Italian, German, French, Japanese. Rich black print on premium white card. Published yearly.
Dimensions Chart 160 × 420mm
RRP $14.95 AUD

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

Yearly calendar

Navigate and keep record of your year. Display it on the wall, and keep it in its time capsule for years to come.

Description Yearly calendar. English, Italian, German, French, Japanese. New design each year.
RRP $24.95 AUD

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

Enquiries

For press images or enquiries
please contact Jessie Stanley (nee Fairweather).
jessie@thefoundry.com.au
03 5348 3626

The Wondercards range

Their design is based on the ‘thaumatrope’: an optical illusion toy from the 1820′s. Spin the disc to merge 2 images into 1 and reveal the picture message. Screen printed and handmade with love in our Daylesford studio.

Titles in the range are Cancan, Bloom, Love, The Big Bang, Pigs can fly, and Peacock.

---

Cancan

Particularly good for congratulations, weddings, and anything worth dancing about.

Contents Thaumatrope (optical illusion toy), rubber bands, card/envelope with seal.
Dimensions 10 × 10 cm
RRP $8.00 AUD

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

Bloom

Particularly good for birthdays, thank-you’s, and your mum.

Contents Thaumatrope (optical illusion toy), rubber bands, card/envelope with seal.
Dimensions 10 × 10 cm
RRP $8.00 AUD

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

Love

Particularly good for valentine’s day, weddings, or someone you fancy.

Contents Thaumatrope (optical illusion toy), rubber bands, card/envelope with seal.
Dimensions 10 × 10 cm
RRP $8.00 AUD

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

The Big Bang

Particularly good for birthdays, newborns and astronomical events.

Contents Thaumatrope (optical illusion toy), rubber bands, card/envelope with seal.
Dimensions 10 × 10 cm
RRP $8.00 AUD

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

Pigs can fly

Particularly good for encouragement, congratulations, and those aiming for the stars.

Contents Thaumatrope (optical illusion toy), rubber bands, card/envelope with seal.
Dimensions 10 × 10 cm
RRP $8.00 AUD

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

Peacock

Particularly good for peacock lovers, zoologists, or someone you fancy.

Contents Thaumatrope (optical illusion toy), rubber bands, card/envelope with seal.
Dimensions 10 × 10 cm
RRP $8.00 AUD

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

Enquiries

For press images or enquiries
please contact Jessie Stanley (nee Fairweather).
jessie@thefoundry.com.au
03 5348 3626

Tangent A3 Wallet and Creatives cahier

We are inspired by renaissance figures like Da Vinci – not for his genius and mastery alone, but for his verve and tenacity in embracing different artistic, scientific and design disciplines. The intersections between creative pursuits, and the curious spirit that underpins them is inspiring. Tangent is a range of stationery that celebrates this, that is useful to all creative types, functional, and refreshing.

Products in the Tangent range are Creatives cahier, and A3 wallet. Available in a choice of 3 colours: mint, pink, and grey; all with yellow interior; featuring bold black gradient covers.

---

Creatives cahier

Creatives Cahier features clean pages plus four templates (isometric, grid, text, and shapes & rules). So you can jot, note, noodle and doodle… or design, refine, draw and define… the note/sketchbook for all of your creative endeavours.

Description 64pp notebook with inner pocket, and 4 templates.
Dimensions 120×210mm
RRP $12.95 AUD (single), $29.95 AUD (set of 3)

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

A3 wallet

A3 wallet for organising and presenting big ideas. Holds approximately 50 A3 sheets.

Description Durable and heavy weight oversize A3 wallet.
Dimensions 450×320mm
RRP $14.95 AUD (single), $32.95 AUD (set of 3)

Buy online at thefoundry.com.au, or at selected stockists.

---

Enquiries

For press images or enquiries
please contact Jessie Stanley (nee Fairweather).
jessie@thefoundry.com.au
03 5348 3626