Communication Design School of Design

Sarah Maxwell

(She/Her)

I am a process-driven Designer. My main interests lie in analogue processes such as print, image making and publication design. My recent work has been about borders, visually interpreting changes in dialect through research on phonemics and phonetics. My dissertation ‘Exploring and Comparing Asymmetric Typography in Early Modernist and Late Twentieth Century Editorial Design.’, was an opportunity to research editorial design and apply the principles and philosophies of Modernists to my own publication design contrasting with the technology and print processes we use today. In my magazine ‘Streetlights’ I created a series of images in the form of an editorial fashion magazine. I explored the narrative of a women walking home alone at night. Whilst I realise the risks associated with walking alone at night is not just a feminine issue, I felt I could communicate more effectively and honestly the female experience focusing on one female character.

Contact
sarahmaxwell194@gmail.com
S.Maxwell1@student.gsa.ac.uk
@sarahmax_graphics
Projects
Borders
Streetlights
Asymmetric Typography

Borders

This project delves into the concept of borders, focusing specifically on the border between Cumbria and Yorkshire. The line running through the four posters represents the geographical border between the two counties. The publication goes along with the posters to give them context. It examines how borders influence dialects, visualised typographically through in-depth research into the phonemics and phonetics of language. By highlighting the subtle yet profound differences in speech on either side of this border, the piece brings to life the invisible lines that shape our identities and communication. As the project evolved, it became more process-driven, allowing for playful and experimental approaches to composition. This shift in methodology fostered a creative exploration of how language and borders interact, inviting viewers to reflect on the artificial boundaries we construct and their impact on cultural and personal identities.

Streetlights

This project was an art direction brief aimed at creating a series of images exploring fashion and imagery. It offered me the opportunity to delve into editorial design, typography, and layout. I chose to focus on the narrative of a woman walking home alone at night, using this context to highlight the risks and precautions women take to ensure their safety while navigating a city independently. Although I acknowledge that the dangers of walking alone at night are not exclusively a female issue, I felt that, as a woman, I could more effectively and honestly convey the female experience. By centering on a single female character, I aimed to create a relatable portrayal that resonates with many women’s everyday realities. This project blends editorial design with a powerful social narrative, encouraging viewers to consider both the aesthetic and the underlying message about women’s safety and autonomy after dark.

Asymmetric Typography

This publication is a typeset and bound version of my dissertation titled, ‘Exploring and Comparing Asymmetric Typography in Early Modernist and Late Twentieth Century Editorial Design.’ The paper discusses asymmetric typography within the context of Modernist editorial design, specifically comparing its utilisation in early twentieth century works with late twentieth-century counterparts. Designed as a concertina format, the publication’s structure reflects the thematic division into three chapters, each dedicated to different time periods of the twentieth century. The chosen format also embodies Modernist principles of experimentation and innovation in design presentation.
Through typesetting and binding, this publication is the culmination of academic research while simultaneously serving as a testament to the enduring relevance of Modernist design principles.