YCN heinz salad cream brief.

For this (YCN) brief, the challenge was to advertise Heinz Salad Cream to young adults (whilst still appealing to those older and younger), a demographic who may have loved it in childhood but have since distanced themselves in favour of mayonnaise, BBQ sauce and tomato ketchup.

My response was to highlight the versatility of Salad Cream, whilst increasing awareness of the product itself. The outcome is a series of print ads, visualising Heinz Salad Cream as a constant within an equation whilst the foods shown are interchangeable. Whether used as a healthier substitute for mayonnaise, a dipping sauce, sandwich spread or dressing: Heinz Salad Cream is the condiment that can compliment it. The tagline is a spin on Mary Poppin's iconic "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down", which intends to be a light hearted play on the Salad Cream as the "sugar" that can make anything taste better - even, perhaps, the "medicine" of vegetables.

The imagery is slick, fresh, contemporary and vibrant, yet also presents a natural, rustic and homely visual that retains focus on the food itself. It not only connotes summer picnics, barbecues and time spent in the kitchen, but also appeals to those who are more conscious of - and value - a healthier and more natural option.

interim show + current/future projects.

This week saw Stage 4 Communication Design exhibit our Interim Show, an opportunity for the external examiner to get a glimpse of our work and to speak with us ahead of our final submission and degree show in June (!).

Didn't get much of an opportunity to properly look at everyone's display (it was only up for a few days) but there was some great stuff. I felt it was pulled out of the bag, and Vis/Com shone in particular. Well, naturally.

I chose to display a selection of concept development from my self-initiated brief to create a print media campaign that promotes and strengthens the relationship Orange has with film (through 'Orange Wednesdays' which offers 2-for-1 cinema tickets, 'Film To Go' that provides a free film rental on iTunes every Thursday, and sponsoring the BAFTA's). My solution was an all-encompassing and to-the-point idea: "See Film Through Us". The copy led to exploring various methods of visualising the concept, ranging from literal to more abstract, including experimentation of opacity both digitally and through tactile material.

At the moment the project is evolving into a different and - I think - more effective direction, but is somewhat being put on the back burner for now as D&AD and YCN deadlines loom closer (March!). I've undertaken two briefs from the former; to illustrate a Little White Lies cover for the film Black Swan, and create a 21st century whisky brand for Design Bridge that defies tradition and appeals to the typically elusive international female market. As for YCN, the briefs I've begun working on include; creating a campaign to encourage the young to like Heinz Salad Cream again, another campaign to promote The Independent's 'i' supplement to students, re-design the Graze packaging, and if I have time I'd like to work on a campaign for Feel Good Drinks too.

I have ideas in place for all of the above, it's now simply a case of implementing them. Shall certainly be a challenge, but I like to push myself and I want to get used to more intense, quick turnarounds that'll be standard in industry. March to June isn't going to be any more relaxed either, with the further projects planned (including Levi's and Pretty Polly) in addition to finishing off anything else if required.

Oh, there's also the Creative Star Student Awards which I need to get on with.

All systems go.