The visual identity for CSM Shows 2025 was designed by three final year BA Graphic Communication Design students, Tripoom Chongpanisook, Jidapa Charoenchokekitti and Arthur Yu. With a theme of “Pushing Boundaries”, their concept examined how our environment shapes us, and the impact we have on it, in turn.
The environment in question was specifically the Granary building where the trio studied. In their eyes, the floorplans of CSM represent more than just space divided up by borders and boundaries, they actually reveal places where students push, redefine and challenge the boundaries of what they study.
Working with Graphic Communication Design course staff, Martin McGrath and Leonidas Liolios and the wider project team which included staff from the Events and Communication teams, Tripoom Chongpanisook, Jidapa Charoenchokekitti and Arthur Yu delivered a full suite of assets for branding the shows physically and digitally across the College. This included digital animations with sound effects for social media, static materials including window vinyls, riso printed maps and wayfinding signage.
The identity has also been displayed on digital billboards in Central London, Ealing and Brent Cross shopping centre, courtesy of our partnership with Bauer Media Outdoor.
@tripoom.c
My practice has been a journey exploring different mediums and methods, and as the journey in my BA has come to an end, I’m excited to start a new path outside university. I am now forming a designer/chef collective that challenges the boundaries of a dining experience through architecture, interaction design, and a holistic multi-sensory approach.
@pangaia.design
My practice as a graphic designer focuses on bringing the often-overlooked aspects to life. It uses design as a provocative tool to represent diverse narratives and voices in the story. I work across a mix of mediums—from printmaking and editorial design to visual identities and some occasional moving image projects. Looking ahead, I'm excited to keep exploring new possibilities in the design world—and who knows, maybe we’ll get a chance to collaborate! Whether it's a fun zine-making publishing or a collaborative book design!
@Arthuryu__
I couldn’t have asked for better company. Trae and Pan’s dedication made me a much better designer, and a better person in general! To have Leo and Martin’s wisdom to bring us to the finish line made the whole experience a thrill.
We caught up with the three students to discuss the merits of collaboration, design concepts and their plans for the future.
Hi Arthur, Pan and Trae. Congratulations on designing the 2025 CSM Shows identity! What an incredible achievement. Tell us, how did it all start?
We had admired each others’ work from a distance for some time but had never worked together before. The opportunity to collaborate on the show's designs presented the perfect opportunity to form a group, and so we took the plunge and joined forces.
How did you come up with the concept?
Our idea was inspired by the brief to highlight CSM as a site of knowledge and critical exchange between students, staff, and tutors: the relationship between us (the students) transforming the site, and vice versa. As CSM’s building is unique, both in its rich history and in both form and function, we wanted to put the spotlight on representing the building as a playground and learning space for students to explore and find their practices from which they could leap into the creative industry.
We wanted to emphasize the connection between the building and the students. And we developed the concept of using floor plans as a key visual to exemplify the building as a site of knowledge exchange and transformation. The uniqueness of the Granary building comes partly from the openness of the street, allowing the students to flow into workshops and unfamiliar courses, to engage and interact in meaningful, cross-disciplinary ways. We wanted that energy to be part of the identity.
What was the first step in bringing your concept to life?
We were strolling around the site one day to loosen up, and Trae became drawn towards the wayfinding map by the gates, and he proposed, ‘Why not bring the stories and functionality of the architecture of the building into the narrative?’ We were onboard. The space itself can often be taken for granted, but without it, we wouldn’t have learnt, made work, and grown the way we did. At the same time, CSM wouldn’t be what it is without the students, tutors, and staff that foster its community. We felt it was a two-way relationship—the space supports the people, and the people bring the space to life.
As part of your brief you designed the vinyls, social media and digital assets used on our websites and emails, billboards, maps and wayfinding! Quite a full suite. Were any of these assets more difficult to design than others?
Animation and moving image, as tricky as it might be technically, was a piece of cake compared to finding the right static asset to communicate within a concept that is all about pushing boundaries. It was silly how often we critiqued each other's sketches of window vinyl and signage by asking: ‘Is that pushing any boundaries?’
What was the highlight of the project for you?
Too many to count. In the pitching days, it was the fighting our nerves by rehearsing before the presentations (as well as having a new variety of Waitrose pasta to look forward to each night) In the weeks leading up to the show: the day we finished off the brief with Leo and Martin, surrounded by paper samples, was hard to beat.
We’re very lucky to have this experience cap off our time at CSM. We’ve become Graphic Communications Designers after all, and these few months have been so fruitful in learning how to articulate ourselves, verbally, visually, and collectively!
What was it like working together?
Unforgettable, and never not eventful. The great thing is that now we can’t stop working together.
What has this process taught you?
Trae: I enjoyed working as a team more than I thought. The pitching process for the identity was competitive and high-pressure, which taught us how to negotiate and navigate differing opinions. There were fights, arguments, and some emotional ups and downs, but we pushed through together, as a team.
Pan: It was very fun and enjoyable for me! I consider this a very valuable experience in working with both Trae and Arthur, alongside our wonderful team, Leo and Martin who guided us from beginning to end. I’m very lucky and happy to work with them. I've learned so much not only about design on a technical level but also about communication and problem-solving especially when navigating disagreements or unexpected challenges. As the project progressed, we grew closer as a team (and friends) which I’m very grateful for.
With graduation around the corner, what’s next for you?
Trae: My practice has been a journey exploring different mediums and methods, and as the journey in my BA has come to an end, I’m excited to start a new path outside university. I am now forming a designer/chef collective that challenges the boundaries of a dining experience through architecture, interaction design, and a holistic multi-sensory approach.
Pan: My practice as a graphic designer focuses on bringing the often-overlooked aspects to life. It uses design as a provocative tool to represent diverse narratives and voices in the story. I work across a mix of mediums—from printmaking and editorial design to visual identities and some occasional moving image projects. Looking ahead, I'm excited to keep exploring new possibilities in the design world—and who knows, maybe we’ll get a chance to collaborate! Whether it's a fun zine-making publishing or a collaborative book design!
Arthur: Being particularly interested in public spaces and its collective narratives, every year, I take on a summer project that is site-specific based on wherever I happen to be. Last summer, it was spending time at the Kia Oval and South Hampstead Cricket Club, one from the inside, one from the outside. I have yet to decide where I’ll be this year round, Swimming Pools? Thames-waterworks? Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty? I better get working…
Tripoom Chongpanisook, Jidapa Charoenchokekitti and Arthur Yu would like to thank Associate Lecturers, BA Graphic Communication Design Martin McGrath, and Leonidas Liolios for guidance and support throughout the project.