Photography

Project brief:

For this project, we were instructed to conceptualise our own proudly South African or African magazine brand where news and information regarding typography, up-and-coming typographers, and newly created fonts can be shared. It was a requirement for our magazine to communicate everything type-related. Our magazine had to include a cover page and a double-page spread of the typographer we were writing about. I chose to call my magazine South African Vision magazine.

Problem:

The existing magazines fail to cater to this specific audience, resulting in a lack of engagement and readership among the 18-25 age group.

Key Insights:

Survey findings highlighted a significant portion of respondents within the target age group who don’t read local magazines, with a preference for minimalist front covers and a greater appeal towards magazines with more visuals than information.

Concept: Type to Learn

SAV Magazine’s concept, “Type to Learn,” centres around demystifying typography for the target audience. This concept remixes the phrase “time to learn” to “type to learn,” emphasizing the educational aspect of the magazine. By incorporating visuals of typography elements in the background, such as letters or grids, the concept seeks to strike a perfect balance between informative content about typography and visually appealing design. The minimalistic yet refreshing approach, infused with South African cultural inspiration, positions SAV as a unique and essential resource for young creatives.

Package and Logo Design – Blistex

Project Brief: Fit for People, Fit for Purpose

For this project, we were instructed to design a package for an existing product and brand of our choice, where the packaging concept will specifically provide a practical solution to the needs of a specific target group and/or the manner and use of the product it contains.
I chose to redesign the packaging for Blistex’s Lip Medex lip balm.

Brand Problem:

Users feel that the current design lacks personality, looks too serious and outdated, and poses challenges in terms of practicality, especially with the absence of an easy opening feature. This diminishes the overall user experience and fails to resonate with the target audience’s preferences for modern, aesthetic, and functional packaging.

Key Insights:

Through extensive research and a targeted survey, it was revealed that a significant portion of the 18-24-year-old university demographic, who are current Blistex users, expressed dissatisfaction with the brand’s packaging. Users highlighted concerns about the aesthetic appeal, outdated appearance, lack of personality, and difficulty in opening the packages.

Concept: Sleek to the Scale

The concept, “Sleek to the Scale,” revolves around transforming the overall appearance and functionality of Blistex’s Lip Medex and Daily Conditioning Treatment lip balm packages. The objective is to create a sleek, modern, and aesthetic look while addressing practical concerns. This involves streamlining the design with minimalistic graphic elements, a sophisticated colour palette, and a more compact size. The concept incorporates a finger-poke and hook opening feature for enhanced accessibility, making the packaging not only visually appealing but also user-friendly.

poster Design – Data Visualisation

Project Brief:

For this project, the task was to create a data visualisation, information visualisation, or infographic aimed at effectively conveying intricate data or information to the general public. I opted to focus on the theme of ‘endangered animal species listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.’ The specific species under examination in my project were cheetahs.

Problem:

The issue at hand is the endangerment of cheetahs, listed on the IUCN Red List as a “vulnerable” species. Despite their recognition in South Africa and even having a local rugby team named after them, a significant portion of my target audience is unaware of the threats faced by cheetahs. The lack of awareness about the reasons behind their vulnerable status and the challenges they encounter in the wild demands attention.

Key Insights:

From primary research, I found that while my survey respondents were familiar with cheetahs, a majority were unaware of their endangered status. Notably, there was a lack of knowledge about the high mortality rate of cheetah cubs, and some respondents cited hunting for fur as a primary threat. Secondary research emphasized additional dangers such as uncontrolled tourism, competition for kills, and the risks cheetah cubs face due to predation.

Concept: Losing the Race

This concept metaphorically connects the speed of cheetahs, known as the fastest land animals, with the decline in their population. Despite their remarkable speed, cheetahs are unable to outrun the threats they face, leading to a dwindling population. The concept aims to evoke empathy and shed light on the urgency of the cheetahs’ situation, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.

Social Media campaign – TEDx GreshamPlace – collaboration

Logo Design:

Poster Design:

TEDx Speaker posts for Instagram: @tedxdurban

TEDx GreshamPlace approached me, along with another graphic designer, Danielle Botha from Vega, to contribute voluntary design services. We collaborated with the TEDx design team to craft a distinctive logo and design engaging Instagram posts for the speakers at their Reframe Conference, held on November 12, 2022. This collaboration followed our prior involvement in a university project for the same conference as part of our Brand Activation collaboration project in 2022.

For the showcased executions in the following pages, Danielle and I drew inspiration from our Brand Activation project. In this project, we utilized African-inspired patterns to establish a stronger connection with TEDx GreshamPlace’s local audience in KwaZulu-Natal.

I individually crafted the compelling ‘REFRXME’ logo featured on the next page. Additionally, Danielle and I collaborated on the creation of the poster, as well as the design of the captivating Instagram posts, now live on the TEDxDurban page. Leveraging our initial resources of design patterns, text, textures, and our keen eye for alignment, we seamlessly integrated these elements to produce visually appealing and cohesive designs for both the poster and Instagram posts that were all posted for the build-up to their Reframe conference.