Students shine in design

Graphic design students have been working on the first stage involving refashioning the company’s website, stationery and logotype.

Neil Deely, who graduated with a degree in architecture from the university in 1996, is co-founder and partner of Metropolitan Workshop (Metwork), a practice of architects, urban planners and designers, founded in 2005 and based in Clerkenwell, London.

He said “I spent many happy years at Brighton School of Architecture. The end of year shows of the art schools in Grand Parade were always the highlight of the year so we were very happy to have the help of the graphic design students with our practice re-branding to mark our 10th anniversary."

Student Chloe Legret, who worked on identity development, said: “I've been focusing on developing the visual language for Metwork through a variety of craft based methods. As a keen screen printer, I've utilised my skills to experiment with print. This has been in the form of pattern making using typography and geometric shapes to reflect forms found within the logo.

Neil Deely

Gavin Ambrose, Chloe Legret and Daniel Glazebrook

“This style of practice accompanied with the tactile nature of traditional printing methods aim to celebrate contemporary design and craftsmanship. Metwork has been an exciting opportunity for me as a third year student/intern to implement professionalism and develop my skills further in a live brief.”

Student Daniel Glazebrook collaborated with Gavin Ambrose, the university’s Graphic Design Course Leader and founder of Studio 245, and university typography specialist Maria Geals on the company’s main logo.

Maria, who delivers specialist type provision, explained some of the nuances of typographic design and the crafting of logotypes: “A successful logotype will represent a brand through letter shapes alone and works just as well in black and white as colour. The designer must strike a balance between style and practicality, as the marque should be clearly legible at all sizes, from postage stamp to signage. It must also be robust and withstand reproduction in a variety of environments, including digital, signage, cast, etched, reversed out or simply printed on bad paper.

“To fulfil all of these requirements, meticulous care is taken to ensure each letter and its internal space is clearly defined, well drawn, and has consistent style, weight and proportions.”

Chloe has been working on the development of the identity into print through screen printing and the development of the graphic language. She is currently working with Gavin on a book charting the practices major projects and collaborations.

Gavin said: “Having the opportunity to work on in-depth and challenging identity design is always rewarding, but being able to do the work involving the students was an even richer experience. We did the work through a series of workshops – both at the university and the architecture practice – which is something I actively try and embed in my design practice and teaching.

“The students bring fresh perspectives and ideas that might not usually be considered. The new marque’s values reflect architectural and urban design that is rooted in the meaning and story of place, and driven by that context. A strong individual visual marque to reflect a strong architecture practice.”