Gregor Laird - Mutate Design

Harvey Nichols Spring Summer 2009 fashion show

2012-01-28T04:51:00.000-08:00

I designed and illustrated these invitations for the Harvey Nichols Spring / Summer 2009 fashion show. There was 2 shows scheduled - one during the day and then one at night. As the show was based on 'South Pacific Holiday' I decided to have them look like postcards you might find in Hawaii that were then sent out to the customers invited.

There was also a trunk show in Personal Shopping that season which I designed a one colour invitation for - again, I wanted continuity with the Hawaii theme so played with a retro hibiscus print.

Harvey Nichols 'All I Want For Christmas' paper dolls

2012-01-28T03:10:00.000-08:00

I was asked by the Press and Marketing Dept in Harvey Nichols Edinburgh to illustrate life-sized paper dolls for a pre-Christmas event. They were to look like the 1950s 'scraps' that children dressed up with clothes that came with fold down tabs. I styled them in outfits from around the shop and drew them. All clothes from the Autumn / Winter 2011 collections.

Suzie wears Givenchy shirt, BCBG Maxazria leggings, Christian Louboutin shoes and Céline bag.

Pam wears Vivienne Westwood dress, shoes and bag.

Jemima wears Dolce & Gabbana dress and bag, Jeffrey Campbell shoes

Nicki wears Alexander McQueen dress and bag, shoes by Prada

Details:

Vivienne Westwood toes pirate boots

Jeffrey Campbell - Rockaway cut out wedge ankle boots

Alexander McQueen union jack skull clutch

Vivienne Westwood heart bag

I also designed and illustrated a capture card for the event.

Harvey Nichols Annual Staff Party 2012

2012-01-25T15:08:00.000-08:00

Harvey Nichols holds it's annual staff party next month. The theme is 'Electric Circus', which is handy as it also held at the venue 'Electric Circus'.

My fascination with neon continues. My search for a decent typeface based on neon made me recreate the one seen here, painstakingly drawn in Illustrator to make the logo.

Gasoline Dance Machine - Cosmonauts

2012-01-25T14:34:00.001-08:00

The Cosmonauts were the special guests at Gasoline Dance Machine in February.

Menergy Valentine's Mascara Massacre

2012-01-25T14:25:00.001-08:00

A new direction for Menergy in 2012. I'm wanting to use photos I have taken. For the Valentine's Mascara Massacre I made the outfit, photographed and styled the model and then manipulated it in Photoshop. The new logo was a bit of fun and a nice twist on the classic 'Menergy' logo.

Gasoline Dance Machine - Hogmanay party

2011-12-26T11:19:00.001-08:00

Designed a huge 60x40 poster as well which is on all the legal flyposting sights in town.

Gasoline Dance Machine - Erol Alkan

2011-12-24T11:03:00.001-08:00

Gasoline Dance Machine featured world renowned DJ / producer Erol Alkan in December. Here is the flyer I designed for the event.

Pete Burns Menergy flyer

2011-12-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

The last Menergy of 2011 and I decided to feature one of my favourite Hi-NRG stars - Pete Burns.

Carrion - at Affordable Art Fair, London

2011-10-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

A small selection of works exhibited as part of my last show - Carrion - will be shown at the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea, London from 20 - 23 October 2011. I will be represented by Axolotl Gallery. (stand 14 at the event).

Opening times here.

Gasoline Dance Machine - logo made neon

2011-10-02T12:55:00.001-07:00

The logo I designed for Cabaret Voltaire's new club night Gasoline Dance Machine has been immortalised in neon! I used a very fluid, neon typeface but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would ever be an actual sign. It recalls an old Top of the Pops logo, especially when you see it on it's own lighting rig, surrounded by disco lights and a smoke machine.

Gasoline Dance Machine - Mustang

2011-10-02T12:51:00.000-07:00

Menergy Divas Ball 2011

2011-10-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

There are A0 posters getting printed which will look great!

Menergy Sep 2011

2011-10-02T12:47:00.001-07:00

Drinking Partners banner designs

2011-09-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

DrinkingPartners.com is a social networking website designed to introduce you to like-minded people in order to expand your social circle, perfect if you have just moved to a new city.

I have done work for them before, this time I was asked to design and illustrate various banners that would appear within the members-only parts of the site.

Drinking Partners proposals / sketches

2011-09-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

DrinkingPartners.com got back in touch with me asking if I could come up with some ideas for banners. These were some of the initial sketches I sent which never made it, but which informed the look of the accepted designs.

Dare! - Soft Cell flyer

2011-09-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

In keeping with previous flyers I've done for Jon Pleased Wimmin, 'paying homage' to a classic synth LP, this one recreates the Soft Cell album cover for 'Non Stop Erotic Cabaret', arguably, one of the most influential electronic album ever recorded.

Unfortunately we didn't have the budget to have neon signs made with the amazingly sleazy typeface, but Ryan McGoverne took some great photos of Jon and Donald as Marc and Dave and I managed to photoshop together the 'Dare!' logo into a believable fluoro-sign.

Gasoline Dance Machine - The C90s

2011-09-05T15:08:00.000-07:00

Logo and graphics for a brand new club night happening very soon at Cabaret Voltaire.

This is another proposal I did, and to be honest, preferred - but never mind!

Voodoo Revue photoshoot styling

2011-09-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

I was asked to style a photoshoot for this year's 'Voodoo Revue' held in Edinburgh's Voodoo Rooms. Several of the items and clothes were made by myself just for the shoot, others I had in my house and the rest were borrowed.

Photos by frequent collaborator Ryan McGoverne.

Julie-ann wears Vivienne Westwood dress, available from Harvey Nichols, Edinburgh / Magpie wing fascinators by Gregor Laird / shoes - models own.
Des wears horse tailed trousers by Gregor Laird / bleached 'Savage' T shirt by Gregor Laird / jacket - models own / shoes - stylists own.

Menergy - Nicki Minaj flyer

2011-08-07T04:02:00.000-07:00

Voodoo queen!

Menergy - Jem flyer

2011-08-07T04:00:00.001-07:00

Carrion - a review

2011-08-07T03:57:00.001-07:00

click twice to read it.

Carrion - Michael Jackson sticker sheets

2011-08-07T03:53:00.001-07:00

I created these self-adhesive sticker sheets for Carrion. Only 25 printed. For sale along with all the other images. Please ask for prices.

Carrion - photos of Axolotl Gallery

2011-07-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

Carrion review

2011-07-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

A well written review of 'Carrion'. The reviewer definately understands the influences and the humour involved in my work.
Click image until it enlarges enough to read it.

Source.

Carrion - Birds of a Feather section

2011-07-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

Below is a list of the images I completed for the Birds of a Feather section of the 'Carrion' show at Axolotl Gallery, Edinburgh. Click on them to enlarge and please excuse the watermarks. Please contact me for prices.

'Who Shot Cock Robin?', mixed media, 2011

'Love Birds', mixed media, 2011

'White Peacock', mixed media, 2011

'Vultures after Audubon', mixed media, 2011

'Study of a Vulture', mixed media, 2011

'Sparrowhawk', mixed media, 2011

'Silent Comes the Night', mixed media, 2011

'Shrike (Butcher Bird)', mixed media, 2011

'One for Sorrow', mixed media, 2011

'Nevermore', mixed media, 2011

'Heart', mixed media, 2011

'Hatchling', mixed media, 2011

'Hand that Feeds', mixed media, 2011

'Dove of Peace', mixed media, 2011

'Bleak Mid-Winter', mixed media, 2011

'White Swan', vinyl, 2011

'Black Swans', vinyl, 2011

Carrion - THRILLER.I.P section

2011-07-18T16:14:00.000-07:00

Below is a list of the images I completed for the THRILLER.I.P section of the 'Carrion' show at Axolotl Gallery, Edinburgh. Click on them to enlarge and please excuse the watermarks.

'Who killed Michael Jackson?', mixed media, 2011

'Too Bad', mixed media, 2011

'THRILLER.I.P', mixed media, 2011

'Study for a skull 2', mixed media, 2011

'Study for a skull 1', mixed media, 2011

'Side Show', mixed media, 2011

'Sacred Heart', mixed media, 2011

'Post Mortem of a false idol 2', mixed media, 2011

'Post Mortem of a false idol 1', mixed media, 2011

'MJ as Christ' (detail), centre panel of the 'Pop Martyr Triptych', mixed media, 2011

'Bubbles as Dismas'(detail), left panel of the 'Pop Martyr Triptych', mixed media, 2011

'Pop Martyr Triptych', mixed media, 2011

'Not like other guys', mixed media, 2011

'Neverland', mixed media, 2011

'Man in the mire', mixed media, 2011

'Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil', mixed media, 2011

'Heal the World', mixed media, 2011

'Gestation Period', mixed media, 2011

'Burger King of Pop', mixed media, 2011

Michael Jackson fans react to 'Carrion'.

2011-07-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

I was notified today that fans on the official Michael Jackson forum have been posting their thoughts on 'Carrion'.

Click here to read the debate.

Here are my favourite parts:

I found it quite interesting that there was an advert for burgers when one of the images in the show is called 'Burger King of Pop'.

One person on the forum seems to get it! Maybe I should ask them to write the copy for my next catalogue.

Carrion reviews

2011-07-18T14:27:00.001-07:00

Click the image above to enlarge it.

Not sure if Mr McEwan picked up on the humour used within the THRILLER.I.P section. I feel the tongue-in-cheek aspect of these images was perhaps lost to the 'sensationalist' angle, but a 'good' is fine by me. (I do hope people don't think I'm an 'emo' now...)

Whilst Sarah and I were taking photos of the show on Saturday in the gallery, one of Scotland's most respected artists and promoter of the visual and performing arts, Richard Demarco was in having a look at our work. He declared it a 'Wonderful show, very brave and very strong and too bold for Edinburgh.' This is praise indeed, coming from someone who owns Joseph Beuys' hats.

Scotland on Sunday preview

2011-07-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

Scotland on Sunday gave Carrion a little write-up on Sunday and put the show in it's top things to do this week.

Carrion controversy!

2011-07-13T11:23:00.001-07:00

'Carrion', almost ready!

2011-07-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

I snapped this as my work, all wrapped and ready to be hung, waited outside my flat to be picked up by Axolotl Gallery.

The exhibition opens on Friday 8th July. The opening party is from 6pm - 9pm. All welcome!

Michael Jackson 'Carrion'

2011-06-07T17:19:00.000-07:00

make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif

'Carrion' an essay by David Matthews

2011-05-30T04:05:00.000-07:00

‘Carrion’, an essay by David Matthews

Since the neon lights went down on Gregor Laird's last show, his previous penchant for a plastic aesthetic and razor-sharp computer-generated lines have been replaced by an altogether more organic approach to illustration. His new work - CARRION - (a joint exhibition with fellow artist Sarah Green) has two sections. Focusing around macabre imagery of the deceased Michael Jackson (ThrilleR.I.P, taking in disturbingly comic representations of his pet monkey Bubbles and religious imagery) and continues his ongoing fascination with nature with a series of pictures based on birds.

The images of the zombie-like Michael Jackson are representative of a tongue-in-cheek response to the public's vulture-like circling over celebrity carrion – living and deceased - and how once the flesh has been picked off the bones, we move on to the next casualty. By creating artworks about him after his death, this plays with the way that deceased celebrities are often held-up and regarded in greater esteem posthumously than they were in life, but turns this on its head, as he’s represented as rotten and decaying, not whitewashed and shining. The most representative image is a triptych, Jackson as Christ, his doctor Conrad Murray and Bubbles either side, crucified like the two thieves who died beside Jesus.

The various images of birds perch ominously somewhere between Hitchcock and Black Swan complimenting Sarah Green's work and giving the viewer a jolting shot of pre-apocalyptic tension and images addressing a growing sense of unease within the world, which has since replaced pre-millenium tension that permeated art, culture and the media in the run-up to Y2K. The birds reference the nightmarish scenes in Hitchcock's eponymous film, and in others such as 'Hour of the Wolf' by Ingmar Bergman.This new showcase of mixed media drawings have a distinct painterly quality about them, which could be filed under the 'New Gothic Art' movement, making this collection altogether more 'new grave' than 'new rave', which is how The List described his last solo show.

The work's textures are rich, tactile and inviting, and really help draw you into Laird's world of 'mutated design'. The organic approach to this subject matter really works in its favour, as so much of the emotive quality of the work would be lost if the silhouettes were as cleanly-cut as his 'Plastic Pastorals' work. The colours and textures really have a quality about them akin to the works of Francis Bacon or George Condo and the subject matter is as deliciously dark as that of those luminaries.

The overarching theme of CARRION is that of the certainty of death, and the associated human responses to this, ranging from the emotional anxiety in the face of (personal and general) apocalypse and the act of attempting to preserve after death through art. But like the Shelley poem 'Ozymandias', the artwork and effigy of the subject is now decayed, the flesh of the original consumed by nature, life and the media. Also, by using someone like Michael Jackson as the subject matter - who was infamous for his botched plastic surgery - it further underscores this idea of the futility of self-preservation or beautification attempts, that the battle against the ravages of time is one you cannot win, and that his literal public face, like the paedophilia rumours that scandalised and destroyed the publics' perception of the man, has been picked apart, leaving only the naturally occurring flesh, bone and biological matter. Art, celebrity, fame, life, humanity - it all boils down to this - leftover, pestilent CARRION.

'Carrion', joint exhibition, Sarah Green & Gregor Laird

2011-05-30T03:50:00.000-07:00

New work.
Axolotl Gallery,
35 Dundas Street,
Edinburgh

Friday, July 8 2011 until Monday, August 1
Gallery opening hours:
11am - 4pm Tues - Thurs and 11-6 Fri - Sat

Opening party:
6pm - 9pm Friday July 8th, all welcome.

Freak Show

2011-05-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

I have been given a date for a brand new exhibition of illustrations to be held at Axolotl Gallery, Dundas St, Edinburgh. It will start on Friday 8th July 2011 (also the day of the opening party) and is a joint headline between myself and very close friend and occasional collaborator Sarah Green.

My part of the gallery will be split into two sections, each section having a different set of drawings with a different theme. I don't want to give too much away right now, but these pictures have really seen me grow stylistically, whilst retaining much of the same themes that I have worked on before.

I thought in the interim I would post some images and press reviews of the last group show I was part of at Axolotl. You can read about the thinking behind these images here.

Number 24 logo design

2011-05-14T15:20:00.001-07:00

I was asked to design a logo for a café, so I took inspiration from it's name (and the number of it's address).

I interlinked the '2' and the '4' as this is also the symbol of Jupiter, which represents abundance and plenty, which I thought was very fitting for a place you go for food, drink and chat.

Menergy May 2011 - End of the Art School

2011-05-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

It's the last date for Menergy at the Art School bar before it's knocked down so I wanted something apocalyptic.

Harvey Nichols staff party 2011

2011-04-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

I was asked to produce a poster and ticket for the annual staff party which was Oscar themed. I wanted a Lynch-ian feel to the posters; a cold, dislocated, slightly nightmarish quality similar to his film Inland Empire. Black Swan was up for several nominations and I enjoyed the references it made to older films such as All About Eve about actors and actresses being left broken by the Hollywood machine.

I photographed images of classic film stars Marlon Brando and Marlene Dietrich as their faces seemingly ran through a projector reel (actually my own TV set which created the lines which helped to break up the photo). I liked the idea of an 'image of an image' which references my favourite artist Andy Warhol.

I originally produced them in full colour but then decided to print them on to a silver paper stock which has connotations of the 'silver screen' and again Warhol's silver canvases which featured stars of the time, blankly staring back at the viewer dead eyed.

I also created a series of teaser posters that were put up a couple of days before the Brando / Dietrich images to whet the staff's appetite. I used an old movie countdown that you may have seen at the cinema years ago.

For the ticket I reproduced an old cinema ticket which was perforated and then ripped by an attendant who was working on the door the night of the party.

Menergy Call Card flyer

2011-04-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

For April's Menergy I wanted something a little dirtier than usual so I decided to base the design on prostitute's 'call cards' - the cheaply printed and badly designed cards that are often photocopied and blu-tacked around public phone boxes all over London. I always find it a bit awkward designing something 'badly' on purpose.

My client for this job, 'Lady Munter' tweeted this when the flyers came back from the printers and were delivered to his parent's address:

Menergy Madonna vs Basquiat flyer

2011-03-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

This month's Menergy flyer was created in response to being given an image of Madonna from one of her earliest photoshoots. I didn't like the image at all and wanted to obscure it in some way. As she was dating (one of my favourite) artist Jean Michel Basquiat at the time I decided to include one of his paintings into it.

The typeface at the top I made myself with a pair of scissors and some sticky backed plastic which I then scanned in.

Menergy Jackie Curtis flyer

2011-02-20T06:04:00.000-08:00

Menergy has moved home to the Art School before it gets demolished. I changed the logo to go with the 60s vibe of the Jackie Curtis photo and I then photoshopped the image to give it more of a psychedelic look.

Rotterdam Film Festival sketches

2011-02-20T05:59:00.000-08:00

Old sketchbook scans of ideas for a poster advertising Rotterdam Film Festival, which was focused on Japanese films that year.

Junkyard fashion shoot

2011-02-20T05:54:00.000-08:00

Was going through old sketchbooks and came across this. For a shoot many years ago I went to a junk yard out of town where I knew they had mannequins standing around. Without asking the owner I carted them all round the yard, dressed them up in my friend's clothes, threw them on top of burnt-out mattresses, photographed them in every pose... then after about 2 hours of shooting, put them back where I found them and left!

Tiger painting

2011-02-20T05:50:00.000-08:00

I'm recycling some old canvases and thought I'd record this one.
From many a year ago!

Typographic Posters feature

2010-11-29T08:45:00.000-08:00

One of the most influential talent-spotting design websites has given me a page on their site. I am very honoured to be a part of it as I regularly visit to get inspired.

Click here for Typographic Posters.

Hallowe'en 2010

2010-11-29T08:37:00.000-08:00

This year's Hallowe'en costume truly terrified some people on the walk to the pub! I had the extinct Dodo bird and David Lynch in mind when I made it.

And remember people - Hallowe'en is to be taken seriously!

Vaudeville Cabaret Club poster

2010-10-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Wild Card Kitty's 'Your Little Princess Is My Little Whore' Edinburgh Fringe show

2010-09-29T06:47:00.001-07:00

I designed these for Burlesque-with-a-twist superstar Wild Card Kitty for her hilarious Fringe show in 2010.

Menergy Zombie Prom

2010-09-29T06:43:00.000-07:00

I had loads of fun illustrating the zombie and then designing the logo for this one!

Menergy Diva Ball

2010-09-29T06:40:00.000-07:00

Cover star: the infamous Divine!

Menergy Mutate Mix

2010-09-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

This is my very first attempt at a DJ mix. A few years ago when I used to run a couple of club nights I just used to press buttons until the music started (or didn't). Well, I've recorded one - it has a Menergy theme, so very Hi-NRG / Italo disco.

The 'mixing' is very basic, and where 'Passion' hits 'U Got 2 Let the Music', plain awful - don't be expecting Paul Oakenfold!

Click here to download.

Menergy press

2010-08-31T12:44:00.000-07:00

Menergy got a mention in Attitude magazine this month under the best things to do this September. I have done a new flyer for their Heathers party, but I'm not sure if I'll post it here yet as I only had a couple of hours to do it, and it doesn't really fit in with the rest of the flyers I have done for the club. It is floating about on the internet.

Speaking of Menergy, here is a picture I took of club promoter Lady M, posing with a light.

Sketchbook - Harvey Nichols

2010-08-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

I have discovered a few old sketchbooks from years ago and the recent past so I will be posting some of the images I have found in them that I like.

These drawings I did for a freelance project set by the Press & Marketing Dept in Harvey Nichols Edinburgh. It was for an imaginary event they were organising to help a girl studying work experience at the time. I photographed different accessories and then drew them. They were never printed professionally, but I put a fair bit of effort into the project so I thought it was worth posting them.

Sketchbook images

2010-08-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

Another couple of images I found in an old sketchbook. This was for a proposed children's book. These creatures were nasty school children who became like monsters in the playground.

An old lady who was sat opposite me on the bus.

Sketchbook drawings

2010-08-22T11:13:00.000-07:00

A couple of quick sketches of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh I did a few years ago.

Crow & Magpie head piece & mask

2010-08-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

These wings are vintage pieces of taxidermy. I do not believe in killing animals because they are believed to be 'pests'.

Created for various photoshoots but modelled here by my trusty mannequin torso.

Horn & antler head pieces

2010-08-14T11:09:00.000-07:00

These were created for various photoshoots which will be posted in the future.
The various animal remains were all vintage - I do not believe in killing animals or birds for fashion, however if these animal parts are lying around, I don't see a problem with using them to make something beautiful.

'Circus Crone' - images

2010-08-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos I took of my Black Plague ridden flea circus illustrations.
They are all on display at Axo Gallery, 59 Queen Charlotte Street, Edinburgh EH6 7EY.
It is open Thurs, Fri and Sat in August, 11am 'til 7pm.

The 'skelephant' image in the bottom left (titled 'Metamorphocircus')) sold on the opening night! I have done another image to replace it, with a similar feel.

'Flea Circus.' I had Dalí's elephants in mind when I did this. Flea's hind legs are extremely long and tapered.

'Kafka Clown.' Based on the famous 'Metamorphosis' novel, this taps into my disgust for clowns, which surfaced when I was taken to the circus as a child.

The long frames on the large images are actually old doors which the gallery curator told me about when she asked me to contribute to the show. They were drawn specifically to fit into the frames for that space.
The fact that they are doors add another dimension to the Plague theme. If someone was discovered to have the Plague, they and their family would be locked inside their own home until the disease claimed the lives of all the people inside. A red cross would be painted onto the front door warning people of the danger inside.

I incorporated red crosses into both images.
Please click here to read more information on these illustrations.

This is a video I watched a fair bit when I was drawing. Because the flea's legs are so powerful, they can in fact pull objects many times their own weight.

Skull hat stands

2010-08-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

These skull hat stands I made have ended up displaying various crazy pieces of costumes I have lying around my flat.

This glittery black skull displays my Joel-Peter Witkin inspired mask I made as a tribute to his artistic genius.

Candyfloss Couture Sale

2010-08-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

I'm having a Summer Sale!
My Kylie (and Dannii) themed pop graphic t-shirts have been reduced from £15 to £10!
That's a whole third off!

Get them while you can on ebay! click click!

Daft Punk meets Dare

2010-07-30T10:41:00.000-07:00

Jon Pleased Wimmin asked me to follow up the Pet Shop Boys tribute poster with something more modern - he didn't want people to think his Dare! club played exclusively 80s music. Daft Punk was chosen. With their ultra-stylised electro-disco-house records and flashing LED robot masks they made a spectacular show out of twiddling knobs and pushing buttons.

Daft Punk's bold visual ideas, particularly the way the band’s members gradually evolved from humans into robots pioneered the idea of a band as a comprehensive concept, with image and artwork at least as important as the music itself, the ramifications of which can be seen in vivid multicolour in their not one, but TWO movies, may be borrowed from Kraftwerk, but it gave late 90s/ early 00s electronic music a face (albeit one made from microchips.)

I decided that their 3rd album 'Human After All' would be a good reference point for the flyer and poster.

I liked the idea of taking photos of the television, the light is eerie and extremely artificial - Daft Punk themselves have a song called 'Television Rules The Nation'. I wanted it to reference David Cronenberg's movies such as 'Existenz' and 'Videodrome' prophesying a future in which television supplants real life.

I designed various versions of the Daft Punk logo, re-imagined to say 'Dare Club'.

Jon suggested we set up a party shot, as if the guests had been getting ready to go out before the club and had left the tv on by mistake.

I also thought it would be a good idea that for the back a tv test card be recreated, in a Dare fashion.

It was decided this looked too fussy and people might not get the point that it was for a club. A few more retro televisions were photoshopped together.

Islaja poster

2010-07-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

Poster and illustration for Finnish folk musician Islaja.

'Circus Crone' - new group show.

2010-07-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

A new gallery has opened in the heart of Leith, Edinburgh. It's very first exhibition has a circus theme. It features 6 new works by myself - Gregor Laird - as well as my super-talented friend (and collaborator) Sarah Green amongst others. It is my first group show following 3 critically praised solo shows.

I decided to use the Flea circus as a starting point for my illustrations. Flea performances were first advertised as early as 1833 in England, and were a main carnival attraction until 1930. Some flea circuses persisted in very small venues in the United States as late as the 1960s.

I had read about 'The Death of the Flea Circus Director' by Thomas Koerfer, a movie in which the main protagonist loses his performing fleas in a crop- spraying operation, seeks compensation from the sort of government agencies where fleas would never be found, and after a chance encounter with a macabre village pageant transforms his enterprise into a theatre of the plague.

It was fleas that carried the Bubonic Plague in the middle ages which lived on the backs of Black Rats, and I liked the idea of a Flea circus travelling around giving all the audience members and circus performers the Plague.

The second idea that drifted in to the mix was Frank Kafka's 'Metamorphosis' about a man that wakes up finding himself transformed into an insect. He is ostracized from society - much like people who were born with genetic abnormalities and were forced to make a living from circus 'Freak Shows' and the like, in the late 1800s onwards.

Axo Gallery is the sister gallery to Dundas Street's Axolotl Gallery.
It is located at 59 Queen Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, EH6 7EY
Axo blog

Menergy

2010-07-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

This was a 'versus' night at Menergy where the two guest DJs would battle it out against each other.

Poster:

Back of flyer:

Menergy May 2010

2010-05-19T15:09:00.000-07:00

This is the poster for Menergy's Italo-Horror Special - the 'Cannibal Italocaust'. The DJs are playing gothier (with a small 'g') and darker dancefloor classics than usual, as tribute to the genius of horror directors like Dario Argento.

The flyer is far more explicit, taking a still from Argento's seminal film 'Suspiria'. The poster I prefer, as the violence and terror is only implied in the colours I used and the silhouettes I illustrated.

Axolotl Gallery Posters

2010-04-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

On the 7th of April 2010 I submitted a pitch to Axolotl Gallery in Edinburgh for posters to be distributed around town.

There is a neon sign which hangs in the gallery which I vectorised in Illustrator. I played about with the drawing in Photoshop to give it a 'neon glow'.

Other ideas featured a painting by Roland Corbin.

The gallery owner 'loves' the neon idea, so hopefully this design will be used.

Please bear in mind that all images are © Gregor Laird / Mutate Design 2010.

Dare, actually

2010-03-29T13:43:00.000-07:00

Legendary DJ, remixer and producer Jon ~~of the~~ Pleased Wimmin got in touch to ask me to design a flyer for his new club venture 'Dare!'.

The previous flyer had featured Jon paying tribute to the Human League album which gave the club it's name, and for this he wanted his own take on another classic album cover - Pet Shop Boys, Actually, originally designed by Farrow.

I wanted to keep the sleek minimalism of the original which posed a problem as there was a lot of text to go on the poster. The problem was overcome by having it look like an import copy, complete with cardboard strip on the left and Japanese text.

There are a few design details which aren't immediately obvious which I worked in... the price sticker is also the entry fee, the Japanese words say 'Passion' (one of Jon's own chart hits) and 'disco music' which relates to the music policy. There are names of bands and singers listed in a font which looks Japanese at first glance, but is actually English.

Photo by Nicola Bald. NB Photos

Menergy April 2010

2010-03-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

New flyer for Menergy using an amazing image of Sylvester that I have played with in Photoshop.

Hat

2010-03-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

I made this hat.

Harvey Nichols ceilidh posters

2010-03-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

These are posters used to advertise Harvey Nichols' annual staff party. 2010 was a Scottish themed ceilidh (Highland dancing). I used native Scottish animals mixed with a bit of wordplay* to create some humorous illustrations.

*For those not familiar with Scottish wildlife and words - the Capercaillie is a large grouse found in the Highlands and the Highland Cow is pronounced 'coo' in Scotland - rhymes with 'do'...you see??

Edinburgh Festival Assembly Rooms 2008

2010-03-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

Myself and a stylist friend were commissioned to design and install a window scheme by Concept Group in 2008 to advertise their sponsoring of Assembly's Festival programme.

Concept provides photocopiers and communication solutions to businesses. We had to link photocopiers and the Edinburgh Festival together somehow over 4 windows.

We had a different window representing the 4 different aspects of the Festival - Comedy, Dance, Music and Theatre.

The Theatre window featured stage lights forming from hanging toner cartridges spilling their contents of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black toner all down the walls.

The Comedy window had a mannequin in an office party setting, with her naughtily photocopying her bum, the evidence flying up the wall. We had a green strobe light fitted to replicate the green light a copier gives off when it is in operation.

The annual Fringe Festival which takes place in August is the largest arts festival in the world.

Michael Jackson Poster 3 - Hawke & Hunter

2010-03-25T03:06:00.000-07:00

The latest in an ongoing set of illustrations based on Michael Jackson and his life and legacy. I was asked to come up with a poster for a club night when he died and since then I have been coming up with new designs and drawings. As ever, excuse my watermark.

Come Together (Space Ibiza) logo proposal

2010-02-06T15:56:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked by Space Ibiza to submit ideas for a logo for a new club night that is happening at their mega-club this Summer.

This idea was developed the most, but was unfortunately not chosen.

I use this blog to post all my best work, even the stuff that doesn't 'make it'.

The brief outlined a club where electro, indie and rock would be played and where people of all nationalities would unite on the dancefloor. I drew 2 swans, one black and white, coming together to form a heart. The different coloured swans represent the union of different nationalities and races - joined by music. The black swan also symbolises night, and the white, day. As Space Ibiza is open during the day I thought this was quite fitting. Swans also mate for life and are regal birds which again fit into the idea of unity and love being found on the dancefloor of the king of Ibiza's clubs.

Menergy February 2010

2010-02-06T15:30:00.000-08:00

The Menergy flyers have started to evolve, February's are based on the seminal and highly influential lifestyle mag - Butt Magazine. (Please be aware that this website has adult content and probably should not be looked at in a workplace.)

Butt Mag is printed on pink paper and is black and white. It looks like a photocopied zine but features articles and photography by some of the biggest names in fashion and art.

Mrs Smith Christmas Windows

2010-02-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

In November 2009 I was approached by Edinburgh-based fashion boutique Mrs Smith to design window graphics to help promote their Christmas campaign. I came up with illustrations that were fun, cute and colourful, to help them stand out amongst their competitors.

I had the 60s-looking drawings running through all the windows like a paper chase and into the shop, onto the mirrors and fitting room walls to help give a continuous look throughout the store.

Mrs Smith has two branches so they were both given the same treatment.

In January, the Sale began and more graphics were added to the windows to advertise this. I also designed strut cards that were placed on shop floor fixtures to support the sale message.

Michael Jackson Posters - Hawke & Hunter

2010-01-17T13:34:00.000-08:00

These posters I designed for a one-off party at Edinburgh's Hawke & Hunter bar/ hotel/ restaurant. I have been using Michael Jackson's death as inspiration for illustrations ever since and so it has become an ongoing project.

Please excuse the watermarks.

Cloven Hoof Boots

2010-01-17T12:37:00.000-08:00

I designed these 'monster' boots to be worn for a photoshoot with The Leither magazine.
The article was about how in 2010, none of the things promised to us as children such as flying cars, holidays to the moon etc, have happened, in fact we are edging more towards a Mad Max-esque apocalyptic future where we will be fighting over the last remaining finite resources on a dying planet.

With this Mad Max meets Metropolis theme in mind, I made these boots whilst my friend Sarah Green hand made the white corset worn in the photo.
The photo was taken at one of Edinburgh's most unique houses - Jo Callis' flat in Marchmont. Mr Callis used to be in Human League and as you would expect from a band with such a forward-thinking sound, his flat reflects his obsessions with sci-fi and B-movies.

Photo by the incredibly talented Ryan McGoverne.

Disco Skull

2010-01-13T14:47:00.000-08:00

I made this disco ball in the shape of a skull for use in discotheques.
I photographed it in a nightclub styled skull and crossbones for a project I was working on. (Please excuse the watermark.)

Here is the disco skull at work during the day, with natural light.

Here it is at night:

Royal Garden Apartments - Christmas posters

2009-11-15T13:19:00.000-08:00

The Royal Garden Apartments are located on Queen St. in Edinburgh's New Town. They are a complex of luxury Apart-hotels where customers can rent an entire apartment rather than a squashed hotel room. I have done a bit of work for them - click the 'Royal Garden Apartments' tag at the bottom of this entry to see the rest.

They asked me to design a poster to hang in their lobby advertising stays over Christmas. I came up with a number of different angles - including this 'Queen's Speech' pitch. This is just an unfinished sketch as it was unfortunately rejected, being deemed 'too controversial and potentially offensive.' Oh well!

This second 'No room at the Inn-laws' poster was considered safe and was then finished off.

DrinkingPartners.com website home page design

2009-11-15T13:04:00.000-08:00

After my 2 flyer designs to promote a new social networking site, DrinkingPartners.com approached me to redesign their website home page. They also asked me to illustrate the little icons you see running along the page.

Visit it at: DrinkingPartners.com

DrinkingPartners.com glue flyer

2009-11-15T13:01:00.000-08:00

Flyer design to promote a social networking website.

DrinkingPartners.com cinema flyer

2009-11-15T12:57:00.000-08:00

Flyer design to promote a social networking website.

40th Birthday Invite

2009-11-15T11:38:00.000-08:00

Using the 'Established in 1969' tag as inspiration, I gave this invite a vintage 60s feel with an updated twist.

Ian Ryan

2009-11-13T12:49:00.001-08:00

These are images I created for Ian Ryan, an up-and-coming electro pop musician.
I styled and photographed this in a toilet in a dodgy club in Edinburgh.
Sometimes you just don't have access to a studio and lighting and you have to make do with what you have to hand.

Hallowe'en mask

2009-11-13T12:47:00.000-08:00

Something a little silly and throwaway now...

This is a mask I designed for Hallowe'en - I wanted it to have a Mummy/Voodoo feel, so I made it out of bandages dipped in Plaster of Paris.

Menergy November 2009

2009-11-13T12:20:00.000-08:00

Now for something a little camp... I was asked to design a flyer for a 70s/80s-themed gay disco night which would be playing the best in classic disco, Hi-NRG and Italo.

My thoughts turned to infamous artist Tom of Finland who drew hyper-masculine male figures and captured the 'leather clone' look of the seventies gay scene.

I also wanted to make the flyer look a bit like a seedy magazine cover or an obscure disco record cover, so I messed with the colours of the image and created a retro-looking logo.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs T-shirt competition submissions

2009-10-18T10:37:00.001-07:00

I designed a few T-shirts for a Yeah Yeah Yeahs competition a couple of months ago. I tried to feature references to the band's recent album campaign ('It's Blitz!') with the use of eyeballs (look for the band's name incorporated into the fish skeleton) and disco. They didn't win or anything, but I enjoyed coming up with the illustrations. Click on the images for larger versions, and please excuse the watermarks.

Harvey Nichols 'Bal Masqué' teaser posters

2009-10-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

These were 'teaser' posters I designed to whet people's appetites for the annual Harvey Nichols staff ball. Elements of these designs transferred to the final poster.

Harvey Nichols 'Bal Masqué' poster

2009-10-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

I designed and illustrated this poster for Harvey Nichols' annual staff party. The theme was a masked ball and as Harvey Nichols is very fashion-forward I decided to tie it into what was happening that season with catwalk trends.
As I was attending the Ball, I also made a mask that tied into the poster's themes of death and decay.
Click on the images to see them bigger.

Royal Garden Apartments - family window

2009-09-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

Royal Garden Apartments commissioned me to design and illustrate a window highlighting the vast size of their rooms and therefore the capacity for holding an entire family.

Royal Garden Apartments - window graphics

2009-09-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

Photos of open-backed windows at Royal Garden Apartments. They are in complete contrast to the previous design (a wide band of frosting cutting out all light). These windows look out onto Queen Street and opposite is located the Portrait Gallery. The hotel's reception area looks out onto the gallery so I wanted the guests to be able to admire the view.

Royal Garden Apartments - 'Do Not Disturb' window display

2009-03-31T12:44:00.000-07:00

Royal Garden Apartments are set in Edinburgh's Queen Street - opposite the National Portrait Gallery. The six-story hotel was constructed in 1880 and converted into apartments in 1999. They approached me in 2008 and asked me to give their windows a make-over. Their windows previously had a severe black typeface over a frosted background which the owner described as "more of a funeral parlour than a hotel."

I took inspiration from their name and beautiful surrounding gardens to give the branding a Spring clean. The apartments are large and airy and I wanted to let the graphics mirror how welcoming the staff and rooms are.

All of the windows are open-backed apart from one.This window is about 28cm deep and requires climbing into it from the top. Dressing options are therefore very limited as you run the risk of destroying your display as you clamber out!

Originally, this 'Do Not Disturb' idea was to advertise Valentine's Day. The lights were going to be coloured pink and rose petals would cover the floor. However, to get the most time and value from money out of the display, it was decided to adapt it to more of a 'corporate stay' idea.

Plastic Pastorals (Oct 2008)

2009-03-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

Plastic Pastorals Press - click image to read

2009-03-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

Plastic Pastorals (Oct 2008)

2009-03-11T05:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of my last solo exhibition in Glasgow, 'Plastic Pastorals'.