Hi, I’m Nina. I was never too sure what my design style was, but upon reflecting on my four years at university, it has become clear that my style is massively shaped by my experiences (as well as my love for graphic tees and colour.) Being stimulated and inspired by the world around me is something which has become even more apparent during lockdown.
My placement year was spent working in Germany, firstly as an Art & Communication Intern for a tech start-up in Berlin, then as a Packaging Design Intern for Peter Schmidt in Hamburg. Through the two varied roles I got to experience two very different companies and practise a range of skills. The placement year grew my confidence so much, and although challenging at times, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity of living and working abroad.
The project ‘A World of Difference’ was shaped by my experiences in Germany. The project reflects on the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, using the lyrics from ‘99 Red Balloons’ as the basis for the campaign. It aims to spark a conversation about border walls across the world and the impact they have had in history and in the present day.
For my independent project, I wanted the focus to be on branding, as this is the area of design I enjoy the most. As the previous project took inspiration from my year in Germany, I thought I should reflect on my home experiences (as I am a proud Northerner after all.) This lead to the birth of Northpolitan, a new independent nation consisting of Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds, three cities which I have strong connections with. In the year 2030, these cities will merge, embarking on a journey of independence. One of the main challenges of this project was creating a new identity which the citizens would be able to resonate with, whilst reassuring them of the benefits of independence. Overall, I found this a really fun, engaging project and it was interesting to imagine how this scenario would play out in real life.
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://ninawhitleyjones.myportfolio.com/
Instagram: @ninawhitleyjones
Linkedin: Nina Whitley-Jones
