Caring for people with Autism in Camden

This month I was commissioned by Richard Lohan of Camden's accessible information team to draw out some images that will be used for a short film to explain how to assist young people with autism who may be going through a period of change.

I especially liked drawing out the breathing exercise and thought we could all probably do with the adoption of the worry box: put all your worries in a box and then make an appointment to go through them one by one with a person who cares about you.

 

Derby Educational Event

A day up in Derby for an education conference with a difference - how to build on inclusion within schools, so that everyone feels a part of something and no-one has to feel 'not good enough'.

Inspiring day, Jo Wilkinson is a wonderful leader and I felt humbled and privileged to work on this event. It felt like a movement for change was really taking shape!

 

Nottingham City Council

Some more recent work from last week (things are very busy at the moment!) this time for Nottingham Council in collaboration with Nottingham University. 

This was for the first children's social care conference for quite a while, and people were very glad to get together again after such a lot of online gatherings.

The mighty Professor Eileen Munro was also present and gave an interactive workshop in the afternoon.

What Family Means to Us

I was asked to draw up this image after a recent workshop.

The dandelion imagery came from one of the participants: dandelions grow tightly together like a family unit, and then disperse as individual seeds, in order to establish their own new 'family'. 

What does family mean to you?

COVID-19 Restrictions are ending in England

 ...but rates are still soaring in other parts of the UK, especially Scotland. How are you feeling about this?

I was asked by a local disability charity to illustrate their members' thoughts around the ending of restrictions. I think I'm more on the cautious side still, but I am glad things are slowly getting back to normal.

This is in case you're wondering about the working process: I start with a briefing call with clients about the job, what they're trying to achieve/say, who their audience is and what are the outputs that they want to use, this includes what medium (print/digital) and the size and dimensions of the image. They supply the material that they want me to illustrate usually in written form and from all of that information I suggest a format/layout like a solution to a design brief.

I then draw up a rough and then go through this on a call to make sure I'm using the right kind of imagery, so just sharing my 'roughs' below. I also ask for information about representation and usually some form of reference material so I get the right age and background of the people being drawn.

FLARE logo design

I was asked by a London local authority to create a logo for a parenting group that comes together to discuss ways of safeguarding children in southeast London. They are looking to expand and wanted a visual identity to help with that.

The local group name is FLARE and they wanted to reflect the friendly and inclusive nature of the group in their logo, and also welcome fathers and people from all backgrounds.

Process for logo designs: I have a briefing call with the client/s, and as it was in January 2022 this was done over Zoom. My questions focussed on the aims of the group and how they wanted to be depicted and what they wanted to amplify. 

I usually sketch and share ideas while we speak to help with the process. Then I go away and have a think, add colour and then share and wait for client feedback.

Depending on the feedback I iterate once further if needed, or else move on to drawing up the final design.

This time was a straightforward process and went from this little sketch, on to the coloured version below, and then to the final version above.