Bringing a physical feel to digital spaces with the Research Season campaign design 2022

Research Season is an annual event series, offering researchers, academics and students across UAL the opportunity to showcase their work in the fields of Research and Knowledge Exchange. The season ran throughout March 2022, with events consisting of exhibitions, seminars, workshops, round tables and more.

The season has an overarching theme and a keynote launch event chosen by our Research Professoriate. The theme for Research Season 2022 was a continuation of 2021’s season – Earth and Equity: integrating environmental and racial justice. 2022’s keynote event featured artist Yinka Shonibare CBE in conversation with Mark Sealy OBE.

The Brand and Creative Services team at UAL were briefed by the Communications and Research teams to design the visual direction and campaign assets for Research Season 2022, building on the visuals and concepts from the 2021 season.

Echoing the continuation on the theme of the 2021 programme, this visual approach takes inspiration from last year's key artwork I’m With Her Too by Sonia Boyce. In this application, the arrow visuals represent the many ways research directs us and informs us. This aims to reflect how Research can inspire us, and that any point can become a new starting place. The intention behind hand drawn charcoal arrows was to create a more tactile, unique and varied outcomes which reflects our organisation as a whole. We especially looked to bring a physical feel into digital spaces and applications.

The Creative Services team is made up of UAL alumni, recent graduates and current students. We are one half of the Brand and Creative Services team and sit within the Communication and External Affairs department based at High Holborn. We also work with designers through Arts Temps, our university recruitment agency and jobs board, giving UAL students and alumni the opportunity to work within our team on temporary contracts.

Stephanie Feather she/her/hers 
Concept design and creative direction
Design Lead, Brand and Creative Services 
2008 BA Graphic Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL

Lily Forbes she/her/hers 
Campaign designer and co-ordinator
Junior Graphic Designer, Brand and Creative Services 
2020 BA Graphic Design Communication, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL

Lila Meyer she/her/hers 
Campaign animation
Junior Graphic Designer (Arts Temps), Brand and Creative Services 
2022 MA Graphic Communication Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL

Stefania Filiogianni she/her/hers
Photoshoot art direction
Creative Services Coordinator, Brand and Creative Services
2017 MA Graphic Communication Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL