ILLUSTRATION & GRAPHIC DESIGN FOLIO / 2010
JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME Welcome to the tummy tingling place that is the portfolio of Multi-disciplined designer Liam Malin, this is a sneaky peak into the different bits of me! Im not one to waffle on about myself too much, and its also something I find as uncomfortable as pulling teeth out…. so I will keep it brief. I am a graphic designer and illustrator full of creative fuzz based in Leicester. I come from a fine art sculpture background and this is something that still influences the way I approach my work. For the past six years I have been working with a wide range of clients such as Wethepeople Bike Company, éclat, Lafarge and BP, enabling me to explore various concepts, from illustrations on London Street furniture, bike decals to brand creation. A love of creating is at the forefront of all my work. Work that is distinct and communicates clear ideas and messages. Put simply I love to produce great creative ideas that are executed beautifully with the highest attention to detail. I draw my influences from everything and nothing, midnight mind wonderings, squished bugs, fashion, anything that gives me a funny feeling in my tummy. Creating work is something that allows me to express myself. To put on paper what goes on in my mind, the wrong thoughts, the flicker of insanity, and what makes me, and hopefully you, smile.
E: hello@liammalin.com W: www.liammalin.com W: www.liammalin.com/blog All graphics and illustrations by Liam Malin All content and intellectual property is © copyright of Liam Malin 2010
CLIENTS
BP DHL FM Conway Eclat LaFarge Marks Electrical Salt BMX University of Nottingham Wethepeople BMX
Salt BMX | Packaging design & Illustrations Salt bmx, an offshoot from the wethepeople brand, asked me to create graphics and packing illustrations for their new range of products. The brand has expanded and is focused on meeting the needs of riders at all levels.
I wanted to represent the diversity of the product range and the target market, by taking various bits of bmx culture and mixing them up.
I used lots of elements to create a molten landscape of mono insects and dripping bmx parts. mixed in with gooey eyes leaking from spray nozzles, gas masks and lightening bolts. I then contrasted this with a clean use of colour.
I created each box with a different narrative and graphic layout, so that each piece of packaging had a bespoke feel but clear brand identity, I wanted there to be a little surprise around every fold.
fRUIT tOOT tOOT | self-initiated Piece A3 poster hand drawn in pen, pencil, felt and ink washes then finished with crayon details.
String Between cups | self-initiated Piece A2 poster hand drawn in pen, pencil, felt and ink washes then finished with crayon details.
ÉCLAT bmx | Art direction, Branding & Packaging design Following on from the success of creating the Éclat identity, I was asked to art direct the brand and design the entire range of packaging and labelling. I wanted to build on the idea of function, simplicity and excellence , creating a stylish
high end look with a timeless feel, using a clean bold approach, with strict use of colour and typography to form the centre of the brand identity & its products. I developed a colour system to compliment and identify each product section. I wanted
each colour to work with the product colours, as well as the base colours of the brand. I created brand guidelines in order to keep the brand clear and concise. With each part of the packaging, right down to the description sticker, being set to a specific place, colour,
and doubling as a product seal. I wanted the packaging to be functional and simple, ultimately working to enhance the product.
ÉCLAT bmx | Art direction, Branding & Packaging design Following on from the success of creating the Éclat identity, I was asked to art direct the brand and design the entire range of packaging and labelling. I wanted to build on the idea of function, simplicity and excellence , creating a stylish
high end look with a timeless feel, using a clean bold approach, with strict use of colour and typography to form the centre of the brand identity & its products. I developed a colour system to compliment and identify each product section. I wanted
each colour to work with the product colours, as well as the base colours of the brand. I created brand guidelines in order to keep the brand clear and concise. With each part of the packaging, right down to the description sticker, being set to a specific place, colour,
and doubling as a product seal. I wanted the packaging to be functional and simple, ultimately working to enhance the product.
BP ELLT MOMENTO Booklet Design & Photography Developing on my blossoming relationship with BP, I was asked to create a limited edition momento book with very small print run of 50 copies. The books main focus was to document the time and events of the European Logistics
leadership team leaders whilst at BP and their heritage. I decided to have a playful approach and document all 12 members time at BP through a collection of pictures, anecdotes and personal objects.
So out came the Lego, chalk boards, Astroturf, matchbox cars and paper modelling skills. I then created various elements from a range of different media from paper rabbits to Lego dates, mini golf sets and even a home made soufflĂŠ. I arranged each composition into a
shelf style. The booklet was finished in a matt black board with foiling detail on the front cover.
THE BP UK LOGISTICS CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARDS | DESIGN LAYOUT & BRAND MANAGEMENT The brief was to put together a number of icons designed to be succinct and immediately recognisable. The shape of each icon represents its own golden rule in complete summary, creating a clear understanding between each one.
Through the implementation of these graphic icons I was able to convey to all employees the customer service standards, their importance, as well as an immediate understanding of how they should be adhered to. The leaflet design has been
created as a positive route indicator, as if to signify the beginning of a journey. The promotional posters were designed to compliment the leaflet with the same directional image, demonstrating progression and innovation. Their unique
shape leaves a memorable impression to reinforce the message. In addition to assist promoting the various customer service standards, usable post it notes / message notes are an ideal mechanism, constantly in use and always visible. Again the same
theme has been adopted to give the golden rules their own branding.
69 Magazine | Identity creation / Masthead / Cover illustrations Fashion and Lifestyle Editorial. I set out to create a stylish look with the redesign of the 69 masthead / logo, cover and typography. I have used striking photography and illustration along with clean bold layouts to
sit with, and stand out from, current fashion editorials- all this reaffirms it as the leading fashion and style magazine. The range of new mast heads move between flowing sixes and bold brash nines. All have there own little charms but one thing
they all set to establish is an iconic presence.
CONWAY BROCHURE | DESIGN / ILLUSTRATION & BRAND DEVELOPMENT I have been working with the lovely people at FM Conway for several years. So when I was asked to create their new corporate brochure I dived in head first. I art directed the photography, creative design and production.
I also created various illustrations to identify and iconize the staff. For the brochure I created a colour based system, set to establish a level of continuity, style and layout for each department.
This was to create a clear dynamic and understanding between each product and service that Conway provide. I also focused on their industry and staff through imagery and illustration. I wanted to frame the images in a different way and brake the
A4 boundary. by slicing each picture and letting it bleed across the centre of each spread, The result is a clean, easy to navigate visual document. In keeping with Conway’s recycling credentials, the brochure is to be produced using all recycled materials.
CONWAY VAN LIVERIES | GRAPHICS & ILLUSTRATION With the Conway van graphics the aim was to create a design that promotes a specific specialist Conway service, such as a vehicle solely dedicated to looking after the Conway team, and facilitates a comfortable working environment on site to Hammersmith
Bridge maintenance. I have created a range of graphics which placed greater emphasis on the staff and on site employees. I set out to create a motivational graphic, one which made the workmen appear as figures maintaining the silhouettes of the iconic
skyline and other landmarks of London.
Conway Magazine | design layout & brand management I designed the Magazine to run alongside the Conway brochure. Incorporating similar graphic elements in both in order to build on a distinct brand style Whilst designing the quarterly newsletter, I have to take into consideration fundamental
issues and address them in an engaging manner.
Toms Get Well soon | self-initiated Piece This is a ink drawing I did for a dear friend who took ill with Labyrinthitis, this was part of a get well soon effort. The internal ear, consisting of a bony portion (bony labyrinth) and a membranous
portion (membranous labyrinth), An intricate combination of paths or passages in which it is difficult to find ones way or to reach the exit.
Puppet | self-initiated Piece A2 poster hand drawn in pen & ink, finished in Photoshop An amateur puppeteer of our spoken language, the words of my seamless mind worm that penetrates the very core of my
fragmented mind. The woven flesh of lips release saliva dripped naivety with each letter encapsulated in fluid until it becomes frameless. Drawing letters which I try to catch before they hit the floor and evaporate one by one
they run through the gaps of my fingers.
Dress Fancy | self-initiated Piece Sugar lines Pen & Inks with vectors, finished in Photoshop
Limb thief | self-initiated Piece A4 Hand drawn in pen & inks with vectors, finished in Photoshop.
Dress Fancy | self-initiated Piece Hand Drawn in pencil, pen & inks with vectors and photo montage. Welcome to the show, Suit yourself, its your spot light, its your act. To absorb light and form Sleek Shadows around the figure
enveloped in darkness, black magic and the deficiency of light dazzling daggers.
Painted Mirror | self-initiated Piece A2 poster hand drawn in pen, felt and ink washes.
Raspberry | self-initiated Piece A2 poster hand drawn in pen, pencil and ink washes.
I want to hold your hand | Commissioned Piece A2 size poster hand drawn in pen, felt and ink washes This was based on part dream and part story, all the various hands are reaching, searching, grabbing, all are enveloping
objects and acting out various scenes. This was also used a base for one of the wethepeople t-shirts. I Created new typography and added some vector elements
Thank You for taking a sneaky peek E: hello@liammalin.com W: www.liammalin.com W: www.liammalin.com/blog All graphics and illustrations by Liam Malin All content and intellectual property is Š copyright of Liam Malin 2010