Friday 30 November 2012

DONATE TO WIKIPEDIA

Decided to donate to Wikipedia after I saw a banner on the website... This is the automated email we received...


Dear Kate,
Thank you for donating to the Wikimedia Foundation. You are wonderful!
It's easy to ignore our fundraising banners, and I'm really glad you didn't. This is how Wikipedia pays its bills --- people like you giving us money, so we can keep the site freely available for everyone around the world.
People tell me they donate to Wikipedia because they find it useful, and they trust it because even though it's not perfect, they know it's written for them. Wikipedia isn't meant to advance somebody's PR agenda or push a particular ideology, or to persuade you to believe something that's not true. We aim to tell the truth, and we can do that because of you. The fact that you fund the site keeps us independent and able to deliver what you need and want from Wikipedia. Exactly as it should be.
You should know: your donation isn't just covering your own costs. The average donor is paying for his or her own use of Wikipedia, plus the costs of hundreds of other people. Your donation keeps Wikipedia available for an ambitious kid in Bangalore who's teaching herself computer programming. A middle-aged homemaker in Vienna who's just been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. A novelist researching 1850s Britain. A 10-year-old in San Salvador who's just discovered Carl Sagan.
On behalf of those people, and the half-billion other readers of Wikipedia and its sister sites and projects, I thank you for joining us in our effort to make the sum of all human knowledge available for everyone. Your donation makes the world a better place. Thank you.
Most people don't know Wikipedia's run by a non-profit. Please consider sharing this e-mail with a few of your friends to encourage them to donate too. And if you're interested, you should try adding some new information to Wikipedia. If you see a typo or other small mistake, please fix it, and if you find something missing, please add it. There are resources here that can help you get started. Don't worry about making a mistake: that's normal when people first start editing and if it happens, other Wikipedians will be happy to fix it for you.
I appreciate your trust in us, and I promise you we'll use your money well.
Thanks,
Sue

Sue Gardner
Executive Director,
Wikimedia Foundation
https://donate.wikimedia.org

Wednesday 28 November 2012

Studio Moross visits Cancer Research Facilities at St. Barts University London

Last week the lovely people at Trekstock kindly invited Studio Moross on a tour of the Cancer Research Facilities at St. Barts University London. As a charity supporting young people with cancer, Trekstock works with Cancer Research UK to help prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. We were lucky enough to get an insight into exactly what this means.

Following an overview from Nicola Horne of Cancer Research UK, we were introduced to Dr. Mark Ferguson, a specialist surgeon working with cancer patients at St. Barts. Dr. Ferguson gave a captivating presentation on the work being undertaken by the researchers and surgeons at St. Barts. 

Dr. Ferguson did a fantastic job of speaking eloquently and passionately on a topic which was as encouraging as it was eye-opening, and all without confusing the audience...

Following the presentation we were given a tour of the research facilities, whose staff were very accommodating, giving demonstrations of the incredibly ardious work that goes on behind the scenes. 

Here, cell researchers shows the lengths they go to in order to keep valuable cell samples alive. To be given such first hand views of the process was incredible.


Having been spell bound by this, we were then talked through the process Pathologists complete whilst analysing the very same cells. We viewed this remarkably refined information through computer screens and microscopes. We were actually looking at an incomprehensible scale...


 And after a long day, the researchers leave their offices for a deserved break...


 And that concluded our visit. The tour was a truly unique experience, and offered an insight into a world we were very privileged to see.   

We extend an extra special thanks to Sophie Epstone @ Trekstock, Nicola Horne @ Cancer Research UK, Dr. Mark Ferguson @ St. Barts and also to all of the researchers and scientists for allowing us the opportunity. Not to mention for all their hard work! 

If you would like to support the work of Trekstock and Cancer Research UK, a set of Christmas cards exclusively designed by Kate for Trekstock are available to buy here: www.trekstock.com

Wednesday 14 November 2012

JW TOUR MERCH

We are starting November at full speed with lots of new work on the website. We are happy to announce two of our collaborations with Jessie Ware for her tour merchandise, both are now for sale online here and also on the road on her current tour.

Jessie had a great idea for the commemorative tour poster for her homecoming show in Brixton at The Electric.  With people suggesting to her that her typeface looked like an eye chart we put together this simple but enjoyable poster which makes an excellent souvenir of this years successes.

StudioMoross popped down to the show, and were full of pride and happiness. The gig was awesome, with a standout performance of her cover What You Won't Do For Love.

The Devotion T-shirts that we have designed are also out this month. Each shirt comes individually wrapped and boxed. Simply branded with Devotion labels, and a subtle seam to seam print of the wording along the base.





BENZEL WEBSITE



There has been so much great feedback about our self produced Benzel & Jessie Ware video it almost makes us want to make another one!

We also built a little micro site for Benzel check it at www.officialbenzel.com

Tuesday 6 November 2012

JESSIE WARE X BENZEL



New promo video for Jessie Ware & BenZel's cover of Brownstone's 90s RnB tune If You Love Me. We spent a week in the studio filming ink, paint and all sorts to put this together. Director - Kate Moross DoP - Laurence Stephens Assisted by Abi Heyneke & Guy Field Edit & Grade & Post Production - Kate Moross Playback Op - Oliver Chapman With thanks to James Moriarty & Will Samuel

Monday 29 October 2012

THE GINGER PIG

We are happy to say that we are now working with the amazing butcher The Ginger Pig. Here is their beautiful logo designed by Allies Design Studio.





LGC

Although our passion is music, we also love independent businesses, especially local ones. Recently as a studio we have found ourselves designing for some of the excellent shops around us in Central London. On a recent trip to bike shop Velorution we met Chandra and Roman who run London Green Cycles. I was looking for a cargo bike to put the two dogs in, and they were looking for a designer, the perfect match. We have since worked on their logo, and their website is under construction and launching next month.

We are really looking forward to riding around on one of these, arriving at the studio next month thanks to London Green Cycles.


Friday 26 October 2012

KATE SPEAKS AT TYPO LONDON 2012

Photo by Cat Garcia

TYPO LONDON 2012

Kate Moross isn’t ashamed to be a child of the MySpace generation. After all, the 26-year-old designer owes much of her success and many of her clients to aptly using the early social networking site. As a “post post punk punk,” the internet helped define Moross’ business focus of “Art + Music + Grrrl.”

“I’m DIY without the politics,” Moross said. “Do it yourself and if you can’t do it learn.”

Read the full TYPOLondon recap here.

SPOTIFY SCIENCE BEHIND THE SONG

This month we worked with MC Saatchi PR on an infographic for Spotify, the results of their experiment were pretty nuts! Click here to view the full image.

Sunday 30 September 2012

I WAITED FOR YOU



The 7th video from our SMD Series. video by Kate Moross & Hans Lo for Simian Mobile Disco's track 'I Waited for You'. Some excerpts from a recent Dazed Digital interview with Hans about the process.

Dazed Digital: What is the story behind the new vid and how did it come about?
Hans Lo: It is a study of three-dimensional space, virtual camera work and the moiré effect. The idea for the video came about by playing around and building these enormous sculptures (they average around 150m in height) in Google Sketch-Up. We were quite new to this open-source software so there was alot of room for experimenting and trying to use this architectural programme to create some simple and geometric sculptural pieces. I think it was one of those moments when we assigned 'I Waited For You' to the visuals that it felt the stars were aligned and fitted the audio perfectly!

DD: Have you worked with SMD before, and what was the experience like?
Hans Lo: Kate and I (ISO Studios) have been working with SMD in the past individually on videos, artwork and web on separate albums/EPs. Then about a year ago, we got the call to art direct together this new album 'Unpatterns'. All the artwork, press, flyers, website and nine videos for each track on the album. I guess we had a pretty good grasp of SMD's ethos and aesthetics by working with them for the past four years. So this project was a perfect opportunity to produce a consistent campaign through each medium working directly with James and Jas, which is quite rare these days.

The experience was great working with them on this project. It was emphasised right from the start that these videos should reflect the experimental methods in which James and Jas make their records. It was all about the process of creating something audibly or visually. Whether the end result is nothing like what you planned at the start, it shouldn't matter. It's the knowledge you gain and your will to 'let things roll' on the journey from A to Z, which will make the result unique. So between the band and us, we were very open-minded about ideas and ways to tailor the videos to each track.

DD: How would you describe the new track in under 5 words?
Hans Lo: GO-SEE-SMD-PLAY-LIVE

DD: What is your favourite part of the vid?
Hans Lo: The whole thing really as this is our favourite out of the nine videos.

Thursday 27 September 2012

STUDIO MOROSS NYC

Mid September and an exciting time for Studio Moross. In the midst of a busy schedule of projects we were really excited to go to NYC for a 5 day business trip. We flew out to complete an on-site mural commissioned by Google for the Big Tent NYC event. 

We managed to strike the perfect balance between work and play. Below are some photographic highlights...

After a daytime flight to JFK a beautiful evening sky welcomed us as we drove into Manhattan over the Brooklyn bridge. A sight to savour...

An incredible meal at Pies N' Thighs in Williamsburg provided a fitting first taste of NY cuisine, after which a very deep sleep was more than welcome. In preparation of our work commitments we spent the following day in Lower Manhattan sourcing materials. We split our time throughout Sunday either eating or shopping...

If you're ever going to NY to paint, don't take your own supplies. This is just a tiny glimpse of the ridiculous stock of materials available at Pearl Paints, which proudly, and rightfully boasts its status of "the worlds largest discount art store". Stupidly we had taken our own paints with us, only to find a better, and cheaper selection at Pearl... 

Pearl also boasts a pretty impressive neon sign in the stairwell...

We were fortunate enough to enjoy NY in all it's beauty. A Sunday afternoon in the sunny, but not-too-hot Soho provided the setting for some casual Basketball. 

Big love to Naomi, and Nick Hook, who we toured with on some L-Vis dates. This was taken a couple of moments after Kate's ball skills let her down, resulting in a broken phone screen. Sad. 

 Still slightly annoyed, but styling it out...

If you like surfing (Ollie) or coffee (Kate) then Saturday's Surf NYC is pretty much a winner. Here is the courtyard out back. 

Monday morning and the work begins. Early stages of the 600sq ft. mural as the shapes went into place, all in Google colours of course... 

Still with lots to do Kate takes a break. Nicely colour co-ordinated with the winning (new) hat, and socks combination...

Some pretty clinical line work to join the shapes. So much so that these lines were mistaken for electricity tape on more than one occasion. 

Studio Moross HQ as London wakes up and emails start coming in. Mural at the 1/2 way point...

Having completed the main Mural, our attentions turned to the "welcome wall". In absolutely no way aided by the world's worst projector. If paint is in ample supply in NY, projectors certainly aren't...


After 2 labour intensive days here is a very satisfied Ollie and Kate in front of the finished piece. Once our muscles are fixed it's time to re-decorate the Studio with the left over paints...

And to reward ourselves we took on some serious liquids. Still reppin' the Google colours. Can't get enough. 

No glimpse of NY would be complete without an epic breakfast. Clinton Street Baking Company gave us the morning boost we both needed. After eating monumental plates of food and drinking very good Milkshake we were set for the day...

...Which was spent roaming NY and attempting to fit some of the big sights in before the return back home. Time Sq. is pretty nuts...

And just up the road is the much more tranquil Central Park. This is the place that Ollie's Brother and Sister In-Law got engaged...

A slightly ambiguous view of "Broadway". but what Graphic Design feature would be complete without some typography...

And as we left Manhattan and headed back towards JFK to fly home an unbelievable traffic jam allowed us the opportunity to take in the evening sky. Here the sun goes down, a Coca-Cola sign illuminates and a plane heads into the distance... all in one photo.

Studio Moross' first business trip was truly unbelievable.

Monday 24 September 2012

PITCHFORK


Nice article on Pitchfork about Kate & Jessie's collaboration over the last year.

"Part of vocal powerhouse Jessie Ware's appeal lies in the clean, classic aesthetic she carries throughout all aspects of her debut album Devotion-- everything down to the font on the record's cover or the shade of lipstick worn in a video seems to fit into a graceful larger piece. This stylistic consistency is largely owed to Ware's tight partnership with London-based artist Kate Moross, who's carefully directed each visual component of the release."

Kate has been writing a couple of articles for new platform HedgeHogg. The most recent article is about finding an agent as an illustrator, designer or photographer.



TEED




Excited to say that we are now working with Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, more work to come.
We put together a flyer for the curated show at Manchester's Warehouse Project, the line up is EPIC.

Saturday 15 September 2012

PLASTIC CIRCLES

Our favourite blog recently ran a feature about our art direction for Jessie Ware.

"This latest campaign (including the singles that preceded, album, Devotion) has been typified by an elegant, balanced approach with some lovely detailing. Meanwhile the creative's playfulness has been demonstrated in new, innovative ways: including the interactive billboard that, while undoubtedly fun, still managed to stay true to Ware's sophisticated image."




We will continue to work with Jessie into 2013, we always enjoy working with Jessie and her team at
PMR and Island Records. We want to congratulate all of them of the top 5 success of the album and their Mercury nomination. It was a pleasure developing Jessie's vision into the album campaign.

Plastic Circles writes about music visuals, artwork and packaging.

Some of recent articles that we enjoyed, Nathan Fake by Jack Featherstone, Matthew Dear by Michael Cina, and Marble Music Releases.