In search of the perfect tree

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men commissioned a poster for As You Like It for their 2013 tour. Shakespeare’s play is set in woodland and I spent the next few weeks searching Yorkshire woodlands looking for the perfect tree to use as the base image for the posters. I eventually found a tree in Fewston Woods with a large scar in the bark. However, it was in the middle of woodland with no natural light. I returned with a mirror and reflected light from outside the wood onto the tree.

I wanted a feeling of night and PhotoShop allowed me to change the colours and feel of the image and add a bluebell woodland background taken months earlier. I also started to change the shape of the scar into a heart shape.

Finally, I added butterflies, type, a note and changed the background light to morning sunlight. In the final poster, I have slightly desaturated the blues for a more natural feel.

Promotional posters

Harrogate Photographic Society asked me to design a series of posters for several exhibitions and talks to celebrate their 90th year. I’ve always been a huge fan of Don McCullin’s photography….humanity leaps out of every single image and I can remember the emotional impact on first seeing his Biafran images in the Sunday Times Magazine. I took the chance to travel to London to meet him and Hilary Roberts at the Imperial War Museum. Hilary presented the work in Harrogate – which I photographed (below).

Theatre publicity

GB Theatre Company toured 12 venues in 2012 and I produced all of the publicity material including programmes, posters, venue leaflets, vinyl banners and updated their website throughout the tour. New York photographer Leon Steele created the main poster images. I photographed the shows (see below) at some of the venues and used the images on website and advertising.

Challenging design project

The Barn is a new climbing and activity centre in Bingley and will open in February. I have been working on the project since September and have designed signage, banners, t shirts, promotional leaflets, stationery and we are just making the final refinements to the website.

Book design project

Looking round Waterstones and I spotted one of the new books I recently designed for Dalesman. All the illustrations were supplied in mono so a little bit of PhotoShop colouring was required. Simple design that was in keeping with the cartoons and a white cover to make sure it stood out on the shelf which it did.

Designs for Shakespeare shows

GB Theatre Company’s 2011 tour included 8 venues and each needed posters, leaflets, banners, adverts, programmes and website pages. Photography is by London photographer Leon Steele.

You can never have enough books

I have shelves full of design and typography books and at least half are by Rockport. Their latest book is The Design Entrepreneur, a look at how designers turn entrepreneur and use all of the design and marketing skills they have learned working for clients. It’s a fascinating book with some great projects by leading designers.

Editorial photographer’s website

Just putting the finishing touches to a new website for Harrogate professional photographer Chris North. Chris learnt his trade in the Royal Navy photographing nuclear submarines, harrier jets, aircraft carriers and most importantly the pilots and crews. He has been working as a freelance photographer for more than 10 years now and has some really great shots on his site.

Website for climbing wall manufacturer

Just putting the final touches to a new website for Hang Fast Adventure Structures who build some of the largest climbing walls in the UK. It is another WordPress based website giving the client the ability to update the content themselves.