Journal 2 - Chris Hopkins graphic designer

JOURNAL

Developing an idea…

20 February 2022

I generated several ideas for The Lord Chamberlain’s Men 2021 production of Macbeth. In particular, one line, “Blood will have blood” embodies the spirit of the play – that vengeance only begets further bloodshed. I drew inspiration from this. The sinking crown illustrates both King Duncan’s death at the hands of Macbeth and his own inevitable demise.

THE ORIGINAL IDEA

The preferred route chosen from a number of ideas. This one from Macbeth’s line “blood will have blood”.

PHOTOGRAPHING THE CROWN

The crown was photographed twice, the second version with a red fabric suspended overhead to reflect red into parts of the crown.

CREATING THE MASTER ARTWORK

Image as visualised on a white background. However, I thought there was too much white and more impact could be added.

THE FINISHED POSTER

A different crown was used in the final shot and the blood extended down the poster for impact.

Design is about improving performance

5 February 2022

Design isn’t about making things look prettier…..it’s about effectiveness. So rewarding to redesign a website for Finer Catering (an existing client) and see the visitor stats increase by 10 fold. More importantly that has turned in to many more bookings for Lisa.

Installation day at Appleby Castle

28 June 2021

In 2020, I was invited to collaborate with the historian Sir Martin Holdgate and create a museum within the walls of Appleby Castle in Cumbria. The museum is a 950 year old Norman keep which was to be branded as The Norman Centre. The museum required timelines, historical display boards and display tables for the limited edition reproductions of the Domesday Books.

The project was undertaken during UK coronavirus lockdown and the restrictions limited the time I could visit to take measurements and meant sourcing display units from Italy was more challenging.

After months of planning and designing, it is finally the day for the first of the The Norman Centre exhibition boards to arrive. When the delivery van doors opened a huge stack of display boards was revealed and the printing quality was clear to see. They looked stunning! The printing and manufacture of the exhibition displays was carried out by Multiprint Solutions Ltd who were excellent throughout the project.

The museum opened on time in July 2021.