We were commissioned by the Music Department at York St John University to develop their 2011/12 concert series literature. It’s always a challenge to visually represent the diverse nature of the series that ranges from male voice choirs to ukelele orchestras! For this series we embarked on a few Photoshop experiments using the photography of in house photographer Jen Todman as a point to start from.

Earlier this year we were commissioned by the Department of Computer Science at the University of York to develop a new internal signage scheme for their shiny new home on the recently completed Heslington East campus. Following a staff competition to ‘name’ the break out spaces in the offices, the decision was taken to use landmark computers to signify the different areas. Our final design incorporated historic archive footage of the great machines. These ranged from the 1944 ‘COLOSSUS’ to the bang up to date 1980 Sinclair ZX80, notable for being one of the first computers available in the United Kingdom for less than a hundred pounds (£99.95).

We were commissioned by The Rowntree Society to create an installation to mark the 100th anniversary of Joseph Rowntree becoming a Freeman of York within the ‘white cube’ projection space at the Ron Cooke Hub, the centre of the new Heslington East campus of the University of York.

The piece consisted of over 30 7680 x 1200 pixel panoramic phases created as reinterpretations of some incredible archive footage from many sources including, The Rowntree Society, Nestlé, The Ryedale Folk Museum and the Imagine York archive.

Many of the audience had deep connections to Joseph Rowntree himself and had seen some of the archive photography before, but due to the treatment of the piece and the environment in which they they viewed it, many people commented that they felt they were seeing these pictures for the first time.

We’re immensley proud of the piece and look forward to how the material can be used in the future to honour the legacy of this remarkable man.

For a 360° panorama of the introduction of this piece in the space please click here

Image Credits:
Société des Produits Nestlé S.A
© City of York Libraries, Archives and Local History Department
Ryedale Folk Museum
City of York Council, Mansion House and Guildhall
The Rowntree Society
York 360°

Mat was approached last year about taking a seat on the writing team to develop York’s bid to become a UNESCO City of Media Arts. The bid writing team have been appointed on a voluntary basis and selected for their long term commitment for developing, promoting or creating Media Arts activity in the City of York (and beyond!).

LazenbyBrown have developed the identity for the bid which features a number of symbolic elements, from the 50 ‘nodes’ representing the 50 stories outlined in the bid to the ‘negative space’ created by the missing ‘O’ of York; intended to represent the creative potential of the City.

You can keep up with the current draft of the bid (to be submitted this Summer) and also read the ‘50 Stories’ as they are posted on the Media City York website.

One of the most famous, tempestuous and productive creative relationships in Hollywood, Bernard Herrmann and Alfred Hitchcock collaborated on some of cinema’s most memorable films, sequences and musical motifs.

To coincide with Herrmann’s centenary in 2011, and acting as a catalyst to motivate further research into the relationship between film and music this three-day conference presented at the Royal York Hotel from 24th to the 26th March seeks to explore the relationship between Herrmann and Hitchcock and aims to bring together practitioners and academics working on a range of theoretical, analytical and historical perspectives.

LazenbyBrown were commissioned to develop the visual theme for the conference which included Quad size Cinema posters, fliers and graphics for an animated conference intro created by Parashoots. The designs are heavily influenced by a giant of 20th century design; Saul Bass. Saul was the undisputed master of film title design thanks to his collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger and Martin Scorsese.

For more information on Saul Bass, click here

As one of the original street artists, Keith Hopewell (aka Part2ism) has had over 26 years building one of the UK’s most unique creative styles. Working with disposable graffiti from London to New York or producing gallery work on the wing of a plane, he works with all media on any surface giving visual impact and the excitement of direct art.

LazenbyBrown were commissioned by Bar Lane Studios and Part2ism to compile and design a retrospective book to complement the exhibition.

We’ve been working with York St John University for many years and have recently been commissioned to complete a number of key projects including the new Vice Chancellor’s vision for the future of the University entitled ‘Creating our Future’ as well as projects for the Faculty of Arts.

Approach.
We have used these recent projects to develop and evolve the corporate brand guidance for the University and place a greater emphasis on images created ‘on campus’ rather than looking to stock image libraries for content. We are working with the University to better archive and catalogue this wealth of imagery particularly content created by the Faculty of Arts.

Result.
This group of projects heralds a fresher, clearer and more defined visual language working through the different faculties of the University. We’ve had some great feedback on this work and as ever we’re proud to be working with such a forward thinking University.

YorkTest Laboratories is Europe’s leading food intolerance and allergy testing company with over 25 years experience.

Approach.
We were invited by the Marketing Team at YorkTest to rethink and refresh the design of all core literature.

Result.
We focused on the packaging of the tests from the customers point of view. We made the process simpler and more elegant in a way that lifted the perceived value of the YorkTest brand. We’re really looking forward to see how these changes filter through the business and how it presents itself.

‘Create’ is an innovative way of branding and promoting the various end-of-year shows and exhibition output across many faculties of York St John University, but primarily the Arts.

Approach.
The identity for Create’10 is very much a natural design evolution from the work we did for the launch in 2009.

Result.
Now in its second year, the Create brand is gathering momentum and gaining a national reputation for the promotion of world class creative work.

The Galtres Festival has been going since 2005 and has grown from the modest surroundings of a beer garden to a major regional festival, it champions all that is right and true in the world; music, locally sourced food and real ale!

Approach.
The festival organisers approached us with a view to defining a stronger identity for the festival that would consolidate the slightly ‘organic’ brand development that had taken place up to now.

Result.
We have developed a new identity for the festival based on the original illustration taken from a painting in the Durham Ox. We feel the new look for the festival embodies the true nature and admirable intentions for this celebration of all things musical, foody and alcoholic!