Christmas Cards

I made a collection of Christmas cards to be sold for a charity fair back home. My objective was to produce something that felt high-quality and traditional, as I think 'holiday' cards can often appear quite naff and tacky. 

I am really happy with the final result. I think the subject matter of the 'three wise men' makes it a more traditional reflection of Christmas, but the graphic nature of the image provides a more contemporary edge. Also, each card being screen-printed on Somerset paper achieves that feel of high-quality crafting that I really wanted in the final design. 

I think working on projects like this is an important part of practice. The lack of content to wrestle with, in comparison to perhaps an editorial illustration, allows me to focus purely on the visual appeal of an image. Ultimately I do find producing this kind of work enjoyable, but too much of it could become a bit vapid. 

Brief Selection and Action Plan

Briefs :

The Waterberg Trust Christmas fair: Produce a collection of cards or illustrative products to sell. 

Deadline : 05/12/18

Penguin Random House: Produce a cover design for Animal Farm by George Orwell, A Brief History of time by Stephen Hawking & Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman. 

Deadline : 06/03/18

YCN, Dogs Trust : Create a campaign that makes 'rescue dogs' the most desirable breed in Britain. 

Deadline: 22/03/18

Editorials: Produce a series of editorials on a range of subjects and dimensions. 

6 different dimensions: cover, full page, spot, square, portrait and landscape. 

Deadline: Submission 

Rationale: 

In order to complete all the briefs to the best of my ability I think its key to prioritise them according to their deadlines, but also set a series of goals intermittently to maintain a consistent production of work. At the moment I am struggling with Cop as well as doing work for Hanbury Hall, so extended practice may have to take a back seat until after Christmas; however I would like to keep it ticking over by doing some contextual research to support my briefs and noting down initial ideas or thumbnails. 

I aim to complete these initial briefs by the end of February. I have given myself this objective as I predict that by that time I may have some new briefs or ideas that I would like to take on to further develop my practice. This is only a flexible date, however, and personally set briefs such as the editorial may continue beyond this point. 

Action Plan: 

Design screenprint positives for Christmas cards, 26.11.17

Screenprint cards, 01.11.17

Paint wooden characters, 03.11.17

Penguin Random House: read books and research key themes, 31.01.17

Penguin Random House: initial ideas and thumbnails, 11.02.17

Penguin Random House: final designs, Deadline: 28.02.17

YCN, dogs trust: research, 31.01.17

YCN, dogs trust: initial ideas and thumbnails, 11.02.17

YCN, dogs trust: final designs, 28.02.17

Editorial, produce final designs for all 6 dimensions, 28.02.17