Epboards10

The Concept

MAKING FRIENDS THE WRITE WAY.

This was a project that myself and Hannah adapted from a Rose award brief. The aim of the project is to promote the practice of writing to a pen pal, developing friendships in a way that doesn’t involve the internet.

Myself and Hannah came up with the initiative

The Write Way, which actively promotes pen pals to primary school children by sending out easy to use pen pal stationery packs that make hand writing letters a more visually exciting and involving activity.

Elizabeth Tyrer

Brief #10

OUGD603

Pen Pals

Research

We were inspired by the illustrations of Mike Perry, whose colourful, offbeat work can appeal to all ages. His use of different mediums, colours and illustrative styles is what we have endeavoured to emulate.

We were also interested in the work created

by Alphabetical for the Link, a lottery funded youth centre. The large scale murals appeal to children through playful imagery, vibrant colour palettes and hand drawn illustrations.

Elizabeth Tyrer

Brief #10

OUGD603

Pen Pals

Research

We also looked at existing stationery and writing sets to gain a better understanding of what is already available in the market, and to identify what should be included and how it should be presented. We were inspired by stationery that used bright colours, playful

images and patterns, as we felt these design elements would appeal most to our primary school audience. We felt that the ranges available currently were quite limited and could do with a wider range of included products to heighten interest in the packs.

Elizabeth Tyrer

Brief #10

OUGD603

Pen Pals

The Development

To create the visuals we would apply to the stationery pack and promotional materials, we decided to work together to create a series of drawings and patterns, using a mixture of materials including ink, felt tip pens and fine liners to create something that felt relevant

and appropriate to our target audience of primary school children. Inspired by Mike Perry’s work, we tried to create illustrations and type that felt lively and animated so it would capture the attention of young people.

Elizabeth Tyrer

Brief #10

OUGD603

Pen Pals

The Design

Elizabeth Tyrer

OUGD603

Brief #10

Pen Pals

The Design

Elizabeth Tyrer

OUGD603

Brief #10

Pen Pals

The Design

We feel that with our product range we have managed to appeal to our audience and create something desirable and useable.

Informed by our research, we used a varied palette of bright colours and patterns that include shapes associated with writing.

To connect successfully with our young audience we made hand rendered type and illustrations the focus of our work, and we created a range of products that are exciting and make letter writing more an experience as opposed to a chore.

Elizabeth Tyrer

Brief #10

OUGD603

Pen Pals