BA (Hons) Graphic & UX Design

Natalia Abelunas
Shana Byrne
Sarah Denning
Dylan Dickson
Taylor Donaghey
Gary McLaughlin
Mary Samonte
Luo Xinyi
Marty Smyth

Marty Smyth

http://behance.net/martysmythdesignmartysmythdesign@gmail.comhttp://linkedin.com/in/martysmythdesignhttps://www.instagram.com/martysmythdesign
Major Project
Other Work

The Merch Stand

In March 2020, live music performances came to a sudden halt as global restrictions were introduced to combat the spread of Covid-19. This has had a huge impact on performers, venues and booking agents, whose livelihoods were turned upside down. For many creatives, whose career is an expression of their identity, a loss of the ability to express can have a direct impact on a loss of identity itself. The pandemic has highlighted the necessity for alternative revenue sources. The Merch Stand is a music-centric creative platform that helps artists to generate income by creating beautiful gifts for people who love music! We specialise in bespoke music merchandise. We believe that the best way for artists to survive is to create stronger links with their fanbase, by allowing them to get closer. We hope to encourage and inspire people to invest more in their favourite music with gifts that celebrate the artist and the art!

View The Merch Stand website prototypeView The Merch Stand Instagram account
Helping Artists Evolve: Billboard Campaign poster using the musical crotchet as a symbol for the “artist”. Here the character is placed in an “Evolution of Man” sequence.
Music themed illustrations in a reductive, almost pictogram style. I liked the idea of 'deceptive simplicity'. The objects being placed in different scenarios displaying human-like traits creates depth and layers of meaning for the viewer to consider.

The Merch Stand website run-through

Some posters using the simple illustrations to explore themes of nurture, support and encouragement.
For artists with big dreams! Billboard Mock-up placing the characters in an Abbey Road scenario. This is about artists being given the chance to make their dreams a reality, no matter how big they may be.
Posters showing the front cover of the SOAK colouring book. Adult colouring books have become a trendy method of relaxation. Most are of nature or patterns. These can be easily tailored to individual artists by creating illustrations from their social media content.
The In Their Thousands Songbook contains lyrics, chords, stories and images provided by the band. The idea was that so often, the content that artists share on social media gets lost on an infinite scroll. I wanted to create something physical that would celebrate that content.
Faults: For years I’ve witnessed music enthusiasts trying to figure out songs by ear or from poor internet tablature. The idea here is that there shouldn’t be any secrets. Songs should be shared, celebrated and played properly.
The story behind the song: These were originally Instagram posts, used as content for the build-up to the release of this album. I felt the transient nature of social media just didn’t give the stories the platform they deserved. The hope is that a knowledge of the background might lead to an even deeper appreciation of the art.
The In Their Thousands Colouring Book is based on photographs from the bands social media platforms and includes portraits, posters, video sets and album art.

Silence is Golden

The challenge of the brief was to design a typographic work that celebrates the world of Silent Cinema. I chose Charlie Chaplin. In 1966, Chaplin granted several extensive interviews to journalist Richard Meryman for an article for Life Magazine. In the interviews, the 77-year-old Chaplin, reflects on his work, his art and his approach to film making. Only a small portion of the taped interviews was ever published. My outcome is a re-interpretation of that interview, presented as a Life Magazine commemorative edition pull-out. My main aim was to try and avoid the types of clichés that can be seen in the way that the silent film era and the 1920’s are represented. The target audience here is anyone who is curious to know a little more about the genius of Chaplin. My hope is to offer a perspective that goes beyond the cliché́ and the obvious, and offer one that feels relevant and tangible.

A portrait of a young Charlie Chaplin.
The black and white colour scheme was chosen to represent: Chaplins' silent films themselves; the photographs from the pre-colour era; the Tramp’s clothes and make-up; and light and dark themes in his work.
Cut out image on white background: The Tramp seems to be standing out off the page, representing the idea that it's difficult to know what to expect from the character and that Chaplin himself is an "outside the box" thinker.
I used the repeated circles (modified letter "O" Brother 1816 Printed: thin) to represent the idea of flow, and a creation of movement that is affecting something far bigger than ourselves.
Smaller image blending into black background: I wanted this whole spread to feel like it was part of the changing room set.
People fall off after the repetition of playing a part.
It’s not the question of what life is…
It’s a question of what the possibilities are…
As you were…
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