DMD Branding
Brief
Create a logo for the DMD Graduate Show, an exhibition celebrating the work of Digital Media Design students. The logo must include the letters "DMD" along with the two-digit year of the event. Beyond this, the design is entirely open to creative interpretation, giving you complete artistic freedom while ensuring a strong and professional identity for the show.
The process
At the time of designing the DMD18 logo, I had a strong interest in synthwave music, which became a key source of inspiration for the project. The genre’s nostalgic, neon-drenched aesthetic—heavily influenced by 1980s visuals—aligned perfectly with the retro-futuristic look I wanted to achieve. Drawing from the bold, VHS-inspired graphics of vintage video tape covers, I experimented with vibrant colour gradients, glitch effects, and digital grain to capture the essence of the era. The fusion of music and design played a crucial role in shaping the final look, resulting in a dynamic and visually striking logo that encapsulated both the energy of synthwave and the creativity of the DMD18 graduate show.
Posters
The show needed a full marketing kit, including posters, to promote the event. This time, I added VHS-inspired glitches and some noise to replicate the look of an old CRT TV. It was also my first time experimenting with the classic grid effect and creating a synthwave-style sun. It was a great opportunity to explore these retro elements and bring them together in a cohesive design.
Promo video
For the promotional video, I took the VHS style a step further, really diving into the details. I experimented with a variety of effects, layering actual VHS glitch visuals over footage to create that authentic, warped look. I also played around with the sound, distorting and adjusting it to complement the visuals and enhance the retro vibe. It was a bit of trial and error, testing different combinations of textures and layers, but that made it all the more enjoyable. The process felt creative and hands-on, and it was incredibly satisfying to see the final piece come together with all those nostalgic elements in place.