Hello, Its been a few weeks since I have had the chance to sit down and put something new up on the web site but its finally here, a summary of 2008, and a look at my plans for 2009 through to 2010. It doesn’t seem 5 minutes since it was Easter and I was eating chocolate eggs for my breakfast, supping a cup of the old chai at this very desk whilst reading through the hundreds blog.. This year has flew so fast and I just haven’t been able to keep track of anything.. Just want to say thanks to all my clients who have gave me work over the past months, small and large, I look forward to more work from you, keep in contact.. Im getting to a point where doing something new isn’t really new anymore, which is a really good thing and each of my projects have a different challenge.. Once I stop spending and start saving Im gonna look in to some small office space for myself, and possibly some staff to help out with some of the bigger projects and to mainly help push msmd a lot further.. I don’t expect mass emails with attached CV’s but the right people will come my way and at the right time.. But as a note coming close to the end of this year Id just like to say thank you to people who come on this website and view my work, keep in contact.. and a hello to new people throughout 2009. J

I have been mates with a guy called Ad since he played bass guitar for my old band on tour in 2005.. since then he has recently joined a new band called Snakes Hate Fire.. Amazing group of kids who are really pushing chances for their band.. I was asked to do a photoshoot for them in the comfort of Ad’s very own home, and here’s a link to how it turned out..

http://monkeyseemonkeydesign.com/snakeshatefire

Since getting more and more interested in photography, I have invested in some new gear and decided to give it a whirl with some family / fashion / garden photos with my sister.. Im still waiting for some more stuff so I can use both my flashes, but for now I tested some shots out with just the one SB600 and my new 18-135 Nikon lens.. Take a look at some more of the shots.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnlatham

Been working loads and finishing some stuff off from a few weeks ago lately, also been starting some new work and even though I wanted to post on here as much as possible I have just havent had the time ! But its all good, im here and im back.. chilling out in manchester for a few days brainstorming ideas for the you me at six teeshirts and also creating a fake supersampler image.. I have wanted one of those cameras for a while now and have one on its way very soon ! But in the meantime Ill just take an iphone photo, zoom it x 4, add some cool colour and burn the edge a little..

Just completed the two singles and album design for the band You Me At Six. Its been really good from start to finish, initial ideas to artwork on screen, to laying it all out and seeing the finished product in print.

I always get asked how I plan a thing like a layout and how it comes together especially things like the inside booklet.. Well here’s a fun image of how it started ! Notice my bad handwriting, but its ok.. I can read it

Head over to my selected page to view the online previews of the artwork..

Here’s something I came across which Id like to share with anyone that visits my website.. The Stockholm Design Lab have an amazing portfolio of simple packaging design.. This is the kind of thing Id look at all day long, taking notes and breathing in the sheer talent just for an ounce of inspiration.. The way they use type within the company for identities is unreal.. Just feast your eyes on this..

http://www.stockholmdesignlab.se

Since getting my first booking as a wedding photographer, I have been scrawling the internet for inspiration and techniques.. I came across this fabulous young photographer who dabbles in a bit of wedding photography herself ! I love her subtle tones and crisp compositions.. Looks like she really captures the day.. All of her work is amazing but ill just post a few of my favourites on here for you to see.. but check her out http://www.vanessaheins.com and http://www.boyfriendgirlfriendpictures.com

Sneezing, tired and listening to black kids on a Thursday morning waiting for a few parcels to arrive ! Why do things from China seem to take days to arrive ? I need to stop ordering stuff from there and finding them in the UK ! Just putting the finishing touches to the You Me At Six album design / booklet today, Ill post some preview images soon along with some sketches from the whole idea.

Just finished editing a load of photos I took at Manchester Academy for a band called Deadbeat Echoes. I have started to take my camera out alot more now and found a real good interest in photography and photography equipment. Im gonna buy a few new things very soon to add to my collection ! Most of my new photos where shot with a sigma 28-70 and a fresh sb600, gonna use this new flash alot more, its really good ! Take a look at my flickr page and if your signed up, add me to your contacts ! http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnlatham

Thought Id start a blog page on my web site so people can keep up to date with what I am doing ! Ill try and post on here as much as I can with photos, tips, screenshots all kinds ! Look forward to it ! Subscribe and hit RSS !

J