Summer Campaign

Every year Gloucestershire College runs a campaign. throughout the summer to promote the college and retrieve final applications from future students who may not have made up their mind if they would like to apply to sixth form or college. It works in the same way as a clearing at a university, they want to fill the final few remaining spaces they have left for the following academic year on their courses. Gloucestershire College like to believe that students choose to come to study with them as it offers them more independence than the sixth form could offer.

Therefore, GC have reached out to us Graphic Design students to produce the branding and promotion material for the campaign ranging from posters to social media posts. They are looking for the designs to be fun and engaging yet sophisticated so they can really tap into the maturity aspect, however keeping in mind part of the audience is 15-16 years of age. In essence, they do not want the designs to be bland, but we also don’t want them to look childish. Their main target audience is 15–16-year olds who may be interesting in apply of a course with GC however, parents are a key decision maker in this process therefore a challenge will be making the artwork appeal to 35+ year-olds too.

My task was to produce both digital and printed assets such as: • X3 variations of an Instagram square • X2 variations of an Instagram story • X2 variations of a Facebook post • X1 Twitter cover photo • X1 Facebook cover photo • X1 End-card • X1 Plasma screen

• X1 A0 size print poster • X1 Roller banner • X3 Variations of a5 postcard

Additionally, this was a competition between the students and the winning designs would be used by the college for their campaign. Although I didn't winner, I did achieve to reach the final 5 shortlisted ideas.

As the client was unsure on what they were looking for, I designed three different concepts which experimented with different styles and achieved different impressions. This is one concept which has completely new features and style compared to my other ideas by using different shapes and structure, I wanted to experiment more with patterns and colour variations to see how they would affect the impression and feeling of the design because I think a brighter and more complex design could achieve a more creative impression.

This was the second concept which I have used a hexagonal shape which has connotations of harmony and balance suggesting the college is a calming environment. I have decided to use a darker colour scheme because I think a dark grey creates a corporate yet modern design which allows me use to the colour palette to add spot of colour to highlight elements and type. Using inspiration for the further research I completed about GC branding, I have incorporated patterns within the design to add decoration and character to the asset.

For the final concept I have used a circular, pointed, speech bubble shape which creates connotation of unity, commitment, or community with the rounded style. I have decided to use colour to my advantage to create a happy and enjoyable impression as the colour palette provided is vibrant and dynamic. Again, using inspiration for the further research I completed about GC branding, I have incorporated patterns within the design to add decoration and character to the asset.