It's that time of year again - degree show time! This was the last time I'll see the degree show as an undergraduate, and before I have to devise my own degree show stand, so this time around I decided to mainly look for layouts and methods of displaying work that stood out to me to help my future self. Here are my favourites:
This lovely display from Beth Jones really caught my eye as visually interesting without being too overwhelming. I really like the simple colour scheme making all of the projects feel cohesive and interlinked, but still identified by their title and professional product photography at the top of each board. I particularly like how different materials and products are used to physically showcase designs in their actual environment, instead of digital mockups. The difference in scale of the items makes them even more interesting. In particular, I really like how the little cards hang in their packages and the tote bag and cushions are the main focus of the display without making it too overcrowded. I like the balance of this display and how the eye is led around it.
Next is this display from Jazmin Carter; I again really like the use of large title pages to introduce each project and the small card giving them context, but I mainly appreciate the simplicity of Jazmin's boards - no painted backgrounds, just cute products hanging from clips - with some plants and stars. The white background really allows the work to speak for itself and stand out. I also really liked the use of the table as a feedback opportunity and business card stash (don't even get me started on the business card designs, I loved the variety and pleasing rounded corners!) Overall, this display is balanced but visually interesting, particularly due to the bright colours.
I also really like Sarah Rose's display. The area is immediately interesting due to the denim clad mannequin, making the whole thing feel much more 3D and real compared to other student's displays. I really liked the clear distinction between projects helped by the black and white backgrounds too; it helps to give them their own identities instead of feeling like one large project. I was so impressed by Sarah's embroidery work though; it really stood out to me as unique from any of the other displays because of the textures and handmade nature of it. Again, I liked the product photography here and how it polishes off the projects, making them feel much more real. The simple layout of the elements was visually pleasing, too.
I also really enjoyed Patt Varoonthepraksa's display; I particularly like the inclusion of panels of key pages from her illustrated book and the subtly decorated nature of her boards. Again, there is a clear distinction between projects without the display feeling disjointed or overcrowded. I think the only thing really missing is more of an explanation of the projects, maybe about their purpose or uses as this isn't really clear, especially for the tips about visiting Nottingham. I really liked the inclusion of gifts here too, like the stickers and post cards on the table.
Next are these displays from Bethany Shacklock and Katie Allen; both of which I really liked the creative and eye catching nature of. I really love Bethany's depiction of a changing room with the mirrored material and coat hanger - it makes the display feel almost like a little set, which I was drawn to immediately, as well as creating a 3D feel by giving the work an environment. I also really like the use of the hanging grid with the postcards and business cards attached. Again though, despite the display being interesting I feel that there is a lack of context for the projects, and that they may potentially be lost in the display rather than supported by it. Katie's display puts more focus on the work, I think, with decorations that support it and draw you in but with less distractions. I love the way she used higher shelves to keep the work itself in your eye line, as well as the different sizes of work, rather than everything being one size. I was also really impressed by the embroidery work here as it demonstrates a higher level of craft than in other displays.
Now onto some work I specifically liked the look of or thought was particularly interesting. These very morally and politically charged pieces from Holly Boden really caught my eye. I find the idea of 'drumping a trump' hilarious and a great way to draw people into looking at the whole display. I wish the product itself had been a little higher, maybe on a shelf, but the product photography helped this. I also really liked the concept of the #letsbeHONEST campaign - the visuals are really striking and impactful without using images of animal testing or global warming. Holly's work clearly has real purpose and intention for change behind it, rather than being a commercial product, which I find really inspiring.
I also really liked this set of alphabet monsters by Charlotte Matheson-Barr. I love the creative nature of the character designs here as well as the really saturated colour palette - the characters are intriguing and have boatloads of personality, which is something I always try to do with my own characters. I also appreciate the use of modelling clay making the characters feel tangible and 3D. My only wish is that the characters were applied to a purpose or environment - I can imagine them working really well on a cereal box, as an educational show or as individual stings for a kids television channel. I really love the fact that they are displayed so large though; the little faces and expressions definitely drew me in - I'd just like more context on the project too.
Next is Layla Booth's work. I really love the colour scheme and the large reproduction of the pages from her illustrated book. The little horned character really caught my eye as having a lot of personality, while the textures in her work are really pleasing to look at. Again, my only real issue here was the lack of context behind the work; maybe adding the book's title or purpose to the board instead of just showing the pages from it would help. I do really like the idea of having a life sized version of a character on display though; I think that works well.
Lastly is Jessika Wojcicki's work; I loved the charming animation The Very Long String, which she also produced as a children's book. I really love the display around the animation too, using the characters from the work to add interest to the display; it just may have been nice to have some of Jessika's favourite stills or pages from the book on the display too so people would get a better sense of the work just from glancing over. I do love that everything is painted directly onto the board though, like the Frozen In Time title, and the subtle blue background differentiates the projects from each other too. I was really impressed with the set and character models from Jessika's stop motion animation too. It was really inspiring for me to see such an animation focussed display as my work will probably have a similar focus, so I can understand from this display what does and doesn't work for animated projects.
That's all I'm going to cover today. Don't forget to check out the degree show, on until Sunday 9th June! Now to start thinking about next year's...