First Years, Sixth Project - Working In the Style Of...

Hannah was Mark Hearld for two weeks

This is the project the students completed at the end of their first semester with us. They worked very hard and the outcomes were very impressive, clearly demonstrating the many things they've learned since starting in September.

All our Year 1 projects are about teaching (and understanding) the important foundation elements of Graphic Design and Illustration and this one was about the importance of looking at, and learning from designers, illustrators and artists who are better than you.

Dan was the great German architect and designer Peter Behrens

It’s impossible to do original design by locking yourself in an ‘ivory tower’. A designer or illustrator’s individuality is always a strange, chaotic mixture of all the designers and artists that have influenced them. It’s good (and sensible) to learn from the work of others. It’s also inspiring and helps you gauge your own development.

Never be downhearted if you see work that you don’t think you could achieve. You might not be there yet, but if you put in the time and effort you could be! Seeing great work spurs us onward.

Each student spent a week researching the work of their selected designer, illustrator or artist and then had a week to design a book jacket in their style. Let's see how they got on...


JJS immersed himself in the world of the great Swiss designer Joseph Müller-Brockmann


Here he is working towards the final designs for his book jacket...


... and here's the final design, beautifully screen printed (we awarded him a house point for this)!


Ellie got to grips with the atmospheric, painterly style of the illustrator and artist Anne Magill

Mark became Edward McKnight Kauffer

 Ellie researched the great illustrator Ronald Searle

 B.T. v. Saul Bass

 Jess working as the highly inventive Jean Jullien


Max exploring the later work of Herbert Bayer (and Venn diagrams)

 Katie getting to grips with the American master wood engraver Barry Moser

 Tim became the amazing Reid Miles (and listened to lots of cool jazz - nice)!

 Beth having a go at Dan Fern inspired collage

Ed getting his head around the technique and style of the great American regionalist painter, Grant Wood (yes, the one that painted 'American Gothic')...


...and here is the final design and artwork for Dylan Thomas' 'Under Milk Wood'

If you know the work of the illustrators, designers and illustrators mentioned above, that's great. If you don't, look them up, it'll do you good - they're important and you should know about them.