Synergy Sounds | D&AD New Blood AWARDS 
My submission for the D&AD New Blood Awards to design a poster and promotional assets for the Universal Music, UK annual staff event. While historically known as UMUSIC AUTUMN, this year offers the chance to rebrand with a fresh name and identity. 
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Previously designed posters used to promote the UMUSIC event. 

These poster have been provided as part of the brief package sent by Universal Music group. (D&AD)

A Pinterest mood board I made to gather inspiration for my project.

A refined mood board of initial ideas.

PINTEREST BOARD LINK

During the development phase of my poster for Synergy Sounds, I utilized Adobe Illustrator and my mood boards to create a visually captivating design. I incorporated sound waves to symbolize music and the concept of synergy to represent the unification of Universal Music staff. The poster features vibrant and enticing elements, strategically designed to generate excitement despite the secrecy surrounding the event lineup. Without the ability to promote specific artists, I focused on crafting an engaging visual narrative that would intrigue and attract attendees, ensuring the promotional material effectively conveyed the event's dynamic and exclusive nature. Using mock-ups to convey the poster design aided in bringing it to life and seeing the poster in a real life setting. 

Developing sound wave shapes in Adobe Illustrator for the center piece of my developing poster.

Developing sound wave shapes in Adobe Illustrator for the center piece of my developing poster.

I utilized a grid system and guides in Adobe Illustrator, which helped me maintain balance and consistency in the composition. This methodical approach ensured that every element was well-placed, contributing to a seamless and engaging design that effectively captures the audience's attention.

Experimenting in Adobe Illustrator with layout, fonts and shapes.

Refining initial experimentations into final poster designs. 

I chose to use vibrant colors like pink, blue, orange, and green on the Synergy Sounds poster to evoke energy and excitement, aligning with the lively spirit of the event. Instead of black text, I opted for a nicely contrasting blue, which harmonizes better with the colorful background and avoids the harshness that black would introduce.

Showing the process of poster development as a mock up, mock ups licensed from Envato Elements.

Experimenting with colour in Adobe Illustrator. 

Final posters for the rebranded UMUSIC event known as SYNERGY SOUNDS.

A mock up of the final SYNERGY SOUNDS posters, mock ups licensed from Envato Elements.

I began by creating a mid-fidelity email invite in Adobe XD to focus on ensuring the correct layout and structure without the need for visually pleasing design elements. This allowed me to efficiently organize the content and design elements, ensuring a coherent flow and functionality. Once satisfied with the structure, I transitioned to a high-fidelity version, which presented the final email invitation. This version combined professionalism with visual appeal, showcasing the event poster prominently to generate excitement among recipients. By highlighting the poster within the email, I aimed to captivate the audience's interest and enthusiasm for the Synergy Sounds event.

Developing a mid fidelity email marketing message in Adobe XD.

Further developing the email marketing invitation into a high fidelity post.

The final email invitation made using Adobe XD and the icons 4 design plugin.

THE POSTERS
The final mock-up posters for Synergy Sounds are a culmination of meticulous design and strategic thinking. These visually striking posters effectively communicate the essence of the event, enticing the audience and generating anticipation for the night.
EMAIL INVITE
IN-VENUE BRANDING
For the finishing touches, I focused on in-venue branding to create a memorable experience for attendees. Synergy Sounds branded glasses were produced for the event, including a tote bag and a pin badge. These items serve not only as souvenirs to remember the night but also as tokens of appreciation for the hard work of Universal Music employees. This thoughtful gesture aimed to recognize and celebrate their contributions, adding a personal and meaningful touch to the event.
Project Video Presentation