Elspeth Slater
- Branding, Editorial design
Hello! I am a conscientious and ambitious designer with experience in editorial design and illustration. It is important to me to complete each task to the highest standard, whether that be in a team or independently. A particular interest of mine is inclusive design for those with disabilities. The Department of Graphic Communication and Typography has opened my eyes to design and made me more aware of the world around me. Alongside learning British Sign Language, I realised the importance of inclusive design for all people, a skill I would like to take further and develop into the future.
A Story Like The Wind cover redesign
A Story Like The Wind is a children’s story about a small group of refugees crowded on to a boat to escape their home country. They share their stories as their boat travels across the sea, and are joined by music and tales of hope and freedom. One of the stories is of a boy who plays the violin, and the music brings such joy to the other passengers. It was important for me to include this element in the design. The curved edge of a violin reminded me of ocean waves, which was particularly appropriate. The violin motif is carried across the front cover to the back cover. Hand lettering for the title was most fitting as it was fluid like the sea, and floated like the music in the air.
London Jazz Festival poster
This was a project to design a poster, leaflet and promotional animation for London Jazz Festival. The inspiration for my design was a Bauhaus poster (there is a Bauhaus act performing at the festival). The colour scheme of black and gold was a link to light hitting brass instruments in a band, and moody street lighting which reminds me of Jazz music. The simple design was chosen to let the loud jazz music sing for itself.
TY3DP3 Deafhood magazine
Deafhood is a biannual magazine to bring deaf and hard of hearing people together whilst their community spirit has been challenged by the closure of Deaf clubs. The magazine itself is a sensory experience from start to finish. For the Deaf audience, one of their senses is compromised. Therefore colours, textures and print finishes create a visual explosion on every page. Similarly, every article included in the magazine has a different treatment of typography and style of imagery. Each person within the Deaf community is unique and special in their own way, and this is represented within Deafhood’s articles.
Typography & Graphic Communication Department, University of Reading
BA Graphic Communication face to face degree show 2022
