Manchester Literature Festival 2018
MARK
Jamie Ellul:

Every year MARK tackle the visual identity for Manchester Literature Festival (MLF) – and every time they do something clever and appropriate. MLF is one of the biggest and best urban literature festivals in the UK; a showcase of the very best in contemporary writing from across the world. And this year (the 11th year, no mean feat in itself) MARK have surpassed themselves with a visual identity based around the visual distortions of book edges. A simple idea but one that has infinite legs.

Votes for Women
Supple Studio
Alex Swatridge:

It’s not always easy, or appropriate, to have an idea on a stamp but here the idea is so apt and thoughtfully executed, that the caption becomes integral to the image. Simple, effective, resulting in a very striking set of stamps.

Monotype: One of a kind
SEA Design
Mike Reed:

This is the sort of line that has writers seething with envy. A strapline hidden in the brand name itself, which becomes a perfect reflection and extension of that name, adding a delightfully unforced layer of meaning and wit. Perfect. (If I can find out who wrote it, I’ll add them a credit!) Lovely identity by SEA, too.

Start Rite
Studio Sutherl&
Paul Felton:

Studio Sutherl& have rebranded long standing children’s footwear brand Start Rite. A core component of the new brand is a playful bespoke typeface called Typefeet, where the bottom serifs become little feet. Lovely stuff

Habito
MultiAdaptor
Paul Felton:

Habito is a disruptive new mortgage service that combines artificial intelligence with truly impartial advice. Expressing Habito’s purpose, MultiAdaptor created a brand language born from the ‘little lift’ that Habito provides, by making the usually heavy, painful and arduous process of getting a mortgage, altogether simpler and easier.

Mark Spencer – Forensic Botanist
Fieldwork Facility
Paul Felton:

Mark Spencer is a Forensic Botanist; he consults with police departments and forensic services on cases where plant based evidence can unlock crimes. The main tools at Mark’s disposal are his observational skills and his vast botanical knowledge. So Fieldwork Facility appropriately created a logo comprising of a skeletonised leaf that resembles an observing eye.

Millbank Farm
Jack Renwick Studio
Jamie Ellul:

Really dig (pun intended) this new identity for Millbank Farm by Jack Renwick Studio. A family-run farm on the same site since 1889, producing top-quality turnips, leeks and chickens. A great logo based on the furrows leads to a bold graphic lino-cut style illustration approach that feels just right. Great strapline too.

2017 AGDA Awards
Christopher Doyle:

Last weekend saw Canberra host the 2017 AGDA Awards. While there was a selection of well-deserved wins for some incredible work there was also, in my opinion, a stack of amazing work that was not recognised. Here’s a small selection of work that didn’t win and left me scratching my head. Vista by Voice Design, Dasher + Fisher by Co-Partnership, Bare Witness by RE, Shortys by The Colour Club, Shop Around by Toko and D’Angelo Coffee by Band.

D&AD Awards Showcase
Common Curiosity
Paul Felton:

The D&AD Awards Showcase is a platform to celebrate the years winners of the D&AD student briefs. Common Curiosity created a display system based around D&AD’s iconic pencil. Pegboard panels are populated with colour coded pencils denoting the level of award each student has won, along with a number of playful ways to utilise the humble pencil, including a big pencil of pencils!