The brief

Make a harbour festival visible across the water and memorable up close.

The idea

An orange moon doubles as a porthole. A cut-paper ferry and torn sky give each poster its own texture.

How it came together

1. Paper first

   Six A3 studies, tested from the far end of the pier.

2. Type by hand, then set

   Hand-lettered names became a reusable condensed type system.

3. Two colours, one press

   Two inks, with overprinting for the dark tones.

4. Wayfinding in the same cloth

   The moon connects posters, tickets and deck signs.

The result

A complete festival kit: posters, tickets, signage and editable artwork.

The brief

Create distinctive packaging that works across small print runs.

The idea

An arch, hourglass and wave distinguish the blends. Cobalt and orange give the range a clear shelf presence.

How it came together

1. Shapes on the kitchen table

   Paper studies tested on real cartons in natural light.

2. Naming as a system

   Morning, Afternoon and Evening make choosing a blend simple.

3. Print tests

   Paper weight and ink density tested before production.

4. Beyond the box

   One system for cartons, tins, labels and market signage.

The result

A compact packaging system, ready for new blends and formats.

The brief

Give strong photography and long-form writing an affordable, repeatable layout system.

The idea

Torn photographic collages open each feature. Narrow text columns leave room for the images.

How it came together

1. A paper dummy

   The first issue was assembled at full size before digital production.

2. A two-colour rule

   Monochrome photography with one accent color per issue.

3. Templates the editors own

   Six reusable layouts for essays, photographs and letters.

The result

A publication system the editors can carry into the next issue.

The brief

Build an identity that staff can apply quickly, even with flour on their hands.

The idea

One wheat drawing becomes a stamp and seal. Its irregular imprint gives each bag a little character.

How it came together

1. Drawing the wheat

   Forty sketches, tested at the size of a coin.

2. Tools, not files

   Two stamps, a seal, kraft cards and a one-page guide.

3. A checked card

   A cobalt check adds a simple wrapping pattern.

The result

An economical identity for bags, gift cards and everyday packaging.

Scissors make a decision tangible. A shape either works or it doesn’t. Cutting another is often faster than endlessly adjusting the first.

Paper also brings texture without imitation: fibers, uneven edges and the pressure of a blade. Digital tools come later, for typography and precise production.

What it changes about a project

Physical studies change the conversation. People pick them up, turn them around and describe what they see. The work becomes easier to discuss.

A desk, daylight and a short session are enough. The constraint keeps the process direct.

A practical note

Start with three colors and one idea. Make it at its final size, photograph it, then move to the screen.

A roll of tape gives me a repeatable unit for margins and gutters. The page begins with something I can hold.

One strip defines a margin; two create a gutter. Repeating that relationship keeps a layout coherent without making it rigid.

Tape as tone of voice

A clean corner feels archival. A torn strip feels immediate. The way an image is attached changes how its story reads.

Building the digital version

I photograph real tape under consistent light and use it at its original scale. The digital page keeps the texture of the physical one.

The rule was simple: finish one poster by Friday. No client, no polished brief. After a few months, the wall showed what I cared about.

Speed is a style

A short deadline favors clear decisions. I started choosing fewer shapes, stronger contrasts and a more direct idea.

Knowing when to stop

The hardest skill was stopping. When another element weakens the composition, the poster is finished.

What is left

Keep the work together. Review it as a series. Pick a day, start small and make the next one.