London and Greenwich by Anna Simmons
Ahoy Greenwich! Where do I even start when there is so much to say? Greenwich has history, art, palaces, parks and let’s not forget the Prime Meridian... all packed into one heritage site. It’s a must-see stop on any tourist trip to the capital while a unique destination in its own right. It sits outside the centre yet boasts world famous views of the London skyline. It's ancient, it's modern, and it's forever tied to the very concept of time itself.
A Visual Tapestry
With a subject like this - where there’s an entire historical-tapestry’s worth of stories to share- the simplest and most engaging storytelling approach is always a visual one.
When you need to explain a nuance, for instance, that in Greenwich there are red buses… but also red deer, illustration can show it in an instant.
And when people see a beautiful illustration, or follow a line of lettering which has been crafted, they feel a connection.
A Dream Project
When I was approached by Royal Museums Greenwich to create exclusive merchandise artwork, I knew I had to do justice to this incredible place. They wanted to forge a connection with visitors, through location-specific merchandise that would feel like taking a piece of Greenwich home. And to increase sales with custom designs as funding revenue for each of the four Museums in their care.
The task was to capture the essence of Greenwich as a whole while highlighting each individual attraction. This way, one design could cater to various markets: custom destination art for each museum and broad-appeal souvenirs for online sales.
And to compete with tourist attractions the other side of the Thames, the client wanted to clearly frame Greenwich in the geographical and historical context of London. Firstly enhancing the perception of the destination's charm and uniqueness, emphasising its status as a must-visit spot. Secondly, to create high competition souvenirs using storytelling to capture the imaginations of those customers who want to take home a little bit of Beefeater and Buckingham Palace.
A Blend of Old and New
This project was a dream fit for my illustrative approach which explores styles old and new.
One of the things I love most about my work is the ability to blend old and new styles. For this project, I worked a blend of visual nostalgia in a mix-and-match, timeless style, balancing creativity with commercial appeal. I wanted to capture the timeless charm of the place while infusing it with a contemporary twist.
The Joy of Research
And as a lover of all things historical and Maritime, this was a dream for me to research! My explorations into architectural motifs and historical lettering styles underlining the stand out tourist attractions. Attention to detail that is key for higher perceived value products but in a playful style, still appealing to younger audiences while resonating with grown-up fans of history and design.
Simplifying the Process
A necessary outcome was a simplied process of adaptation to different merchandise formats for the in-house design team. So I illustrated in a clean style, with bold marks and big textures. Creating scalable graphics for any size application (without losing that signature hand-drawn, human quirkiness).
This meant that all imagery could be reproduced at any size; the map could appear in its entirety on larger format items like tea towels and tote bags. While elements from the illustration could also be repurposed individually for smaller products like pin badges. Optimising design for merchandise sales… hassle free!
In the end, this project was a dream come true. It allowed me to explore my love for history, my passion for illustration, and my desire to create meaningful connections through art. Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I did.
Let’s Collaborate!
If you’re looking for someone who can bring a unique, personal touch to your project, someone who’s not afraid to dive deep and get lost in the details, then look no further. Whether it’s a map, a piece of hand lettering, or a digital collage, I’m here to help you tell your story. Let’s create something amazing together!