DESIGN PROJECT

I have just completed a very nice design project - the website of TV and film composer (and my husband) William Goodchild Music. This was a particularly enjoyable project as it was for my husband, and I like to think that after 22 years together, I have a pretty good idea of what he likes. I designed the visual look of the website update and then handed over to the very talented Seb Francis from BurnIT (who also built my website). I don't think there is anything that Seb can't do (such a talent)! Do go and have a look at Will's website - the design, navigation and functionality - and of course, have a listen to his wonderful music. I am very proud of his work. You can hear a selection of his music HERE. 

William composes and produces music for film, television and concert performance.  As a composer he specialises in wildlife and history documentary and has scored films for all the major broadcasters including the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, PBS, National Geographic International and Animal Planet.  His recent commissions have included Chimps of the Lost Gorge (BBC Natural World), Wild Russia (6-part series for National Geographic), and Lobo - the Wolf that Changed America (BBC Natural World).  Lobo won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival 2009 and the Jury's Special Prize at the Wildscreen International Film Festival 2008.  He has just completed 'Nordic Wild' - a 4-part series for National Geographic on Scandinavia, and Jungle Gremlins of Java for BBC Natural World. 

I also re-designed Will's blog (news and updates) to match with the new website.

Will's next programme to screen is on BBC2, Wednesday 25th January 2012 at 8pm and is called Jungle Gremlins of Java. The programme tracks the toxic slow loris and goes undercover to reveal the illegal worldwide trade in loris for pets. Dr Anna Nekaris, the programme's presenter has set up a 'fire face project' to save the slow loris via ecology, education and empowerment. You can find out more about her project by clicking HERE.

To see the website of William Goodchild Music click HERE

BRISTOL EVENING POST

Suzanne Savill, Features journalist for the Bristol Evening Post came along to my studio to interview me about my designs in mid December. The article was published on Christmas Eve in 2011.

PAUL SMITH FOR LEICA COMMISSION

I was recently commissioned for a packaging project for the lovely team at the Leica camera store, Mayfair. I was asked to design a presentation gift box for their limited edition, leather camera bags designed by Paul Smith.  

Leica Camera Ltd and international fashion designer, Paul Smith, joined forces for the first time to offer two exclusive, limited edition leather cases for the Leica D-Lux 5 digital camera. Two versions were designed, a smooth chocolate brown calf leather with the famous Paul Smith vintage multi-stripe on the sides, and a light grey, croc-style embossed leather with a luxurious purple lining. The cases were hand-crafted in England and embossed with Paul Smith for Leica on the back. Both designs also feature an elegant matching shoulder strap. 

They are sold this season at the london-based store, the Leica Store Mayfair at 34 Bruton Place, W1 and at Paul Smith stores throughout the UK. The cases will retail at £200. 

About the Leica D-Lux 5 digital camera

For those of you that are interested about the camera that goes inside these stunning camera bags: The Leica D-Lux 5 is a high-performance compact digital camera offering full creative control. Its high quality Leica zoom lens, with focal lengths equivalent to 24 to 90mm (35mm equivalent), combined with a comprehensive range of features and manual settings, makes the D-Lux 5 a versatile camera suitable for a broad spectrum of photographic situations – from macro and wide-angle architecture and landscape photography to reportage and portrait photography. Its exceptionally fast maximum aperture also makes it an ideal camera for ‘available light’ photography, for example, when shooting indoors or in difficult lighting conditions.

Featuring a particularly large sensor for a compact camera, the D-Lux 5 produces brilliant high contrast images, with natural colour rendition and superb sharpness. It also shoots in 1,280 x 720 HD video format, for high quality movie making.

The Leica D-Lux 5 is characterised by clear lines and a stylish, uncomplicated design in an elegant black matt finish. Its formal simplicity, clear and intuitive controls, and a focus on essential features, are typical of all Leica cameras

GQ Magazine voted the Paul Smith for Leica camera bag one of the 100 Best Things in the World.

“The menswear and luggage guru has created hand-made camera cases for Leica's D-Lux 5 camera. They come in either old-school chocolate brown or lilac crocodile-style leather. The clincher: There's a limited run of 300 for maximum exclusivity”.

To see the Leica Store, London, website click HERE.

To see Paul Smith Website click HERE.

  

COAST MAGAZINE

Our 'Swallows' gift wrap has been featured in the December & Januray issue of Coast Magazine as Christmas gift wrap with a coastal feel. To see out Swallows gift wrap click HERE.

For more details visit the website HERE.

DESIGN PROJECT

I have recently completed a series of publicity for the Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra for their gala concert at the Colston Hall, Bristol this November. The Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra are raising funds for the Cots for Tots charity and for this event they are bringing together a 250 male voice choir. There will also be Emil Huckle-Kleve on violin and John Telfer as the evenings presenter (also known as the Vicar, Alan, in the Archers!). Should be a grand night out.

Programme cover

Magazine Advert

DECK THE HALLS

In the Summer of 2007 I designed two Christmas gift wraps with the idea of launching them as a pair. However, in the end I decided to launch just one of them: "Oh Christmas Tree" which was out in time for Christmas 2008. Three years later and Oh Christmas Tree is still one of my most popular Christmas designs. For this reason I have decide to launch it's original partner "Deck the Halls" (seen above and below with Oh Christmas Tree). It is funny how things turn out, but I can see one week on form it's launch  and most people already seem to be buying the two tree designs together. 

FESTIVE BAUBLES

I thought you might be interested in the process I go through from initial idea to final product. In a time when computer software allows us to create all sorts of designs very quickly, I have chosen to stick with a much more complicated and time consuming route than you might think!  I started working on Festive Baubles in December 2010 when I had the idea of creating a design with vintage style baubles. First I had to select the paper colours and draw out the bauble shapes. I then set about making 38 individual A5 size baubles, each with a unique hand-cut design. It was like working on a puzzle over a series of weeks, as I picked it up as and when I had the time for a bit of creative fiddling.

Dark December evening in 2010

Eventually, and with all 38 baubles in hand, I decided they had to have bauble tops and hangers as I wanted them to look similar to the real thing. After spending rather a long time playing around with silver foil and various textured papers, I finally came up with disposable cooking trays as the bauble tops and wire for the hangers, which I felt gave them a 3D quality. 

Once I had completed the tops on the 38 baubles it was then time to scan each one at a high resolution. I then had to crop out each bauble within Photoshop, name each one (to save confusion later on) and then set about the actual layout of the design itself, which involved hours of arranging on a page size of 500mm by 700mm. I played with different backgrounds and different layouts.  

Choosing the right bauble size was a tricky decision as I felt this design would have been nice larger on the paper. However, being destined to go onto Christmas gift wrap for regular size gifts, the baubles needed to be quite small. I also decided that as there were so many strong colours on the baubles themselves, it really needed a very pale, almost cream, background in order for them to be clear and distinct.

Festive Baubles with Figgy Pudding gift wrap

Looking at the final gift wrap alongside an old favourite, Figgy Pudding, I can see that the chosen size was right. All my printing takes place locally. I use FSC recycled papers and print on one side only. I aim to make my products as eco friendly as possible. 

As for the original bauble artwork pieces...they are presently hanging over the fireplace here in the studio at rachelgoodchild.com.

To buy Festive Baubles gift wrap click HERE.

NEW WRAP

CLICK HERE TO SEE.

DIGITAL ARTS FESTIVAL

I shall be exhibiting at this the Shepton Mallet Digital Arts Festival on October 6th - 8th 2011.

To see other events and exhibitions see their website by clicking HERE.

PAINT TUBES DESIGN

Paint Tubes Gift Wrap, Gift Tag & Greeting Card - © Rachel Goodchild 2007

I love it when one of my designs remains popular and stays on my top sellers list for years. Paint Tubes is one of these designs. In 2006 I took a series of photographs inside my father's studio and came up with the Artist Range, a series of 4 photography cards and one gift wrap with gift tag which was 'Paint Tubes.' I launched Paint Tubes in 2007 and it still remains today one of my top sellers. Due to the continued success of this design I have also recently designed a Paint tubes journal.

Paint Tubes Journal by Rachel Goodchild

The inspiration for the Paint Tubes gift wrap was the inside of my father's paint draws. I moved nothing before photographing.  Some of the draws were organised and some not. I particularly loved the grubbiness of the tubes as they showed paint tubes in use.

Paint Tubes in drawers

Paint Tubes in drawers

Paint Tubes Gift Wrap in the studio

Here are some photographs of my father's studio, where my father has worked for over 46 years - Peter Swan RWA. You can see some of his paintings on his blog by clicking HERE.

Peter Swan's Studio

Peter Swan's Studio

A few of the publications that Paint Tubes have featured in.

The Art Fund, London Catalogue

The Royal West Academy Magazine using my photographs

Art Cards - Progressive Greetings Magazine

SUMMER HOLIDAY 2011

GREETING CARD SALE

We are having a HUGE clear out of Greeting Cards that are now
DISCONTINUED STOCK 

They really do have to go! Prices are up to 80% off  - To see the sale page on our website click HERE.

WHILE STOCKS LAST ONLY

CALLING ALL

I am sure that no one wants to think of Christmas just yet? But before we all pack up for our Summer Holidays, I am on the hunt for Bristol based designers, makers, companies, etc. who are interested in applying to have a stall at the Christmas at the Orangery 2011. I am on the hunt for products that would make great Christmas presents, with prices that are not to high (Unique and affordable). If you are interested please contact me at info@rachelgoodchild.com for an application form. 

Closing date for applications is Monday July 11th.

To see the website click HERE.

ROSA GOODCHILD

Just wanted to share these photographs taken by my 16 year old daughter. 
(Above) The American WW2 Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Normandy, France.

(Above) Sword Beach, Normandy, France. Photographs by Rosa Goodchild.

(Above) Port en Bassin, Normandy, France

Civilians at the Liberty March during the D-Day Landing celebrations in Normandy, France.

Rosa now has her own photography blog click HERE to see.