Our Level 3 Graphic Design students recently had the opportunity to take part in an exciting new project inspired by the works of Alan Kitching.
Alan Kitching is a renowned typographer who is known for his expressive use of wood and metal letterforms. Kitching’s work has been featured in galleries and magazines all over the world, with the influences of his unique artistic style being traced back to when he worked as a technician at West Herts College under its previous name (Watford College of Technology) in the 1960s.
The Calendar Design Project challenged students to explore experimental typography while learning from industry specialists. Each student was tasked with designing calendar pages for the assigned three months, using the letters of each month’s name as the core visual element. Every calendar page was designed to draw on Kitching’s bold and playful typographic style. Students also had the opportunity to develop their work through traditional letterpress and laser-cut techniques and combine them with their digital skills.
The project culminated in a competition, judged by Alan Kitching, who selected the best designs completed by our students. The chosen artworks for each month were collated into the final calendar, which our students then sold to raise money for charity. With this project, Kitching offered students a unique chance to showcase their creativity and learning whilst gaining feedback from a leading figure in the field.
Alan says of the project:
"Working on this calendar was a real pleasure. A chance to bring traditional letterpress values into a contemporary context, with care, collaboration and a deep respect for the printed word. The calendars look fantastic. I’m very pleased with how they’ve turned out."
Live briefs with industry experts are a fantastic way for our students to develop their creativity and skills. Two of our winning students shared their thoughts about their experiences taking part in the project and being included in the final calendar –
Isaac, who designed the December page, said:
"I’m definitely very happy that I got picked. The fact it’s going to be made into a real calendar is important because I can put it on my CV or say when I’m going to university that this is something I’ve done."
Ella, who designed the pages for June and September, said:
"It’s nice to be recognised for your work and get praised for the things you do well, but it’s also good for feedback for what I can do better in the future."
If you are interested in taking part in live briefs like this one, click here to find out more about this course.
