Educational Banners for Winfarthing Anglo-Saxon Project

2026-02-19

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After becoming a member of the Winfarthing Anglo-Saxon Project committee I was asked to produce a series of pull-up banners outlining the archaeological story behind the nationally-important discovery of an Anglo-Saxon burial the group. The discovery unearthed some of the most ornate and valuable Anglo-Saxon jewellery found in the UK, including gold pendants, coins, a skeleton and other historic burial artefacts, was made by a local metal detectorist in a field just outside the Norfolk village of Winfarthing. After researching the subject, I wrote and editied the text and undertook picture research, sourcing 3D reconstruction graphics from TV's TimeTeam programme and photography from Norwich Castle Museum and the archaeologists involved in the dig. The series of banners  not only tell the story but also place the finds into a wider historical and geographical context. The banners are used as an educational tool and provide an eye-catching backdrop to the charity's promotional and money-raising activities.

New User Manual for Botanic Garden

2026-02-19

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Smith has recently completed the editorial book design and layout work on a Living Collections User Manual for use by the horticultural staff at the University of Cambridge Botanic Gardens. This academic step-by-step procedural manual - is a sister publication to the CUBG Living Collections Strategy Report – also designed and produced by Smith a few years ago. 

Chem@cam

2026-02-16

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Smith has recently redesigned the departmental newsletter for the University of Cambridge Department of Chemistry – Chem@cam. A new masthead and cover design was adopted alongside a cleaner more clinical layout look utilising a more contemporary sans serif font – Lab Grotesque.

People Strategy Brochure

2026-01-19

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The University of Cambridge Human Resources Department commissioned the Smith design agency to produce a short brochure outlining its employment strategy for the 2024-27. This was one of the first printed internal communications produced by the University utilising the University's new corporate visual identity and brand look.

User Manual for UoC Botanic Gardens

2026-01-12

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Following on from its design and production of a Living Collections Strategy Report for the University of Cambridge Botanic Garden, Smith has designed an accompanying User Manual - aimed at the Garden's horticultural staff. Building on the same design, this sister document lays out best practice processes and procedures. To be published in early 2026.

Smith wins 3-way pitch

2026-01-12

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Smith recently won a 3-way pitch to redesign King's Parade – the alumni magazine for King's College, Cambridge. Smith's presentation  proposed a restyling that would bring the magazine's look more inline with the college's  new visual identity. It also featured the adoption of a wider, A4+ format for the magazine, enabling a more varied use of the grid, a new restyled masthead, and a simpler, cleaner typographic approach. Printed by the Lavenham Press, the new look magazine has just been published and distributed to alumni. The new styling has also been applied to an online Shorthand edition.

Smith redesigns Council ARA

2026-01-12

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Smith was commissioned to redesign the printed Annual Report and Accounts review for Stowmarket Town Council. Their brief: to use supplied photography to showcase council spending on the provision of local facilities and supporting community activities and events. Previous reports lacked 'pacing': so in response Smith complimented  photography with a set of graphics and icons whilst also introducing a 'highlights' section to create more distinct visual hierarchy and greater visual diversity.

Acorn Park Newsletter

2021-10-08

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We have recently designed a new large format A3 newsletter for a local school – Acorn Park. Acorn Park is a day care and residential school for children on the autistic spectrum. 

Switchee Energy logo redesign

2021-04-22

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New logo proposal for energy provider Switchee.

Pitch Proposal for IntoBiology

2021-04-19

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Pitch proposal visual for a modular website redesign, renaming and logo refresh for IntoBiology - an educational website for students studying plant sciences. Client: Cambridge Univeristy / Gatsby Foundation for Plant Sciences.

New logo for CEG

2021-04-08

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Smith was commissioned to redesign Cambridge Education Group's logo. Smith created and drew up a new heraldic lion rampant to suggest a strong heritage feel which would appeal to its Far Eastern audience.

Annual Review for CU Botanic Garden

2021-03-30

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Smith has just completed work on Cambridge University Botanic Garden's Annual Review and Report. We had previously designed and produced the Garden's Collections Strategy Report last year - so the brief required a refresh and update to the existing styling of the annual report to create a matching 'sister' publication. 

Newnham College Matriculation Book

2020-03-30

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Newnham College Cambridge commissioned Smith to design an image-led book to be given as a leaving gift to matriculating students. The small format, digitally printed booklet documents the history of the college and its students through a series of archival photographs. The book serves as a momento reminding alumni of their time at Newnham. The booklet is also used by the college as an introductory and promotional tool throughout the year.
 

Newnham College Cambridge Roll Letter

2020-03-30

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Smith has designed Newnham College's Annual Review – the Roll Letter. The brief was to redesign the publication so that it increases reader engagement, moving the publication off the reference shelf and onto alumni's coffee tables. To do this, higher design and production values were utilised and supplied imagery was visually reinforced with a series of eye-catching images showcasing the college's art collection.

CU Botanic Garden Strategy 2020-30

2020-03-30

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To outline the future strategy for its living collection of plants, Cambridge University Botanic Garden has recently published a new 80-page report which was launched at a special event in Cambridge. Designed by Paul Oldman - senior graphic designer at Smith, the strategy combines a comprehensive audit of its plant collection, with a detailed curation plan for the Garden's future. To help the reader navigate the report and aid understanding, Smith used a prominant signposting system and colour-coded sections. Working in close collaboration with the Garden's curators and communications team, Smith also provided editorial consultation services which helped shape and transform the plan into a cohesive editorial structure.
 

Whats On for University Library

2019-10-02

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Smith has recently been asked by Cambridge University's Library to design a new look for its seasonal event programmes. The client wanted to create a new suite of printed leaflets which reflected in some way the Library's iconic architecture and central tower. Smith therefore designed a concertina-fold leaflet which opens down vertically – creating a distinctive new look and feel for the Library's marketing materials, whilst also being able to work within DL rack displays.

New corporate website for McKinleys

2019-07-03

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Smith has completed an exhaustive redesign and refresh of McKinleys website and online shop. The new more interactive and responsive website design has been conceived and designed to work much harder in introducing the on-demand packaging supplier to new, prospective clients - placing greater emphasis on its USPs. Currently being built – the new website will hopefully go live in about a month's time.

Branding for new College Cafe

2019-06-02

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Smith has recently produced the branding and printed promotional materials for a stunning new university cafe called the IRIS. Situated within the new Dorothy Garrod building inside Newnham College, Cambridge, Smith was asked to produce the initial branding and accommpanying marketing materials which needed to not only appeal to Newnham students, but also attract non-students from the surrounding Sidgewick Avenue campus. 

New product catalogue for McKinleys

2019-03-02

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A new product catalogue for on-demand packaging supplier McKinleys is on press. We look forward to seeing the finished digitally printed and bound copies.

New online shop for LOVELEA

2019-03-02

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Smith is currently designing a new online shop for art and gift brand - LOVELEA by Kirsten Lea. 

St John's College Cambridge commission

2019-02-02

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St John's College Cambridge has commissioned Smith to produce this year's edition of its college funder's magazine – Marguerite.

Selwyn Magazine Issue 25

2018-08-07

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Smith's long-term relationship with Selwyn College Cambridge, continues with the publication of this year's issue of their printed alumni magazine. Selwyn magazine contains news, features on alumni, fellows and staff, and outlines new developments at the college. Magazine design and art direction by Paul Oldman at Smith.

New Alium website goes live

2018-07-31

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The new responsive website for commercial design interiors company Alium, has finally gone live. After a lengthy design process designer Paul Oldman says "Both we and the client  are happy with the end result. It's a modular portfolio site. In terms of look and feel we were after something which sat halfway between an architect's and a designer's site. I think it is about right!". To view and extended case study see our work section.

Burnham Regatta Poster

2018-07-26

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Low budget, quick-turnround poster design for Burnham Week  - a sailing regatta held annually on the north Norfolk coast. 

Abode Estate Agents

2018-07-24

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Smith has completed the design of a new logo for Abode Estate Agents. 

Tim Simmons Website Design

2018-07-05

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'Scarily simple and minimal portfolio website to showcase my projects' was the brief from fine art landscape photographer Tim Simmons. "The design is extremely simple but it meets the clients brief - letting the images do the talking – essentially we wanted something that didnt get in the way of Tim's great photos, whilst having something of an 'art gallery' feel - so it ws all about adding the lightest of touches" said Smith designer Paul Oldman.

www.timsimmons.co.uk

New logo for clothing start-up

2018-07-03

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Smith has recently designed a new logo for a new small clothing start-up - Jack Rabbit. More work for this new clothing range to follow soon.

Book design for Day of the Duck

2018-03-08

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Smith is currently designing a new book entitled 'Day of the Duck'  - a satire on immigration and 'the other'. The book which unusually combines a dramatic narrative with line illustrations in the style of late 19C instructive manuals, will be published by art book publisher Marmalade, in the next couple of months.

New lecture posters for CU Botanic Garden

2018-03-06

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Smith has just completed the design of a series of posters and promotional collateral for Cambridge University Botanic Garden's forthcoming season of 'Science on Sundays' talks. Aimed at 12+ year olds, this series of six informal talks cover various aspects of plant sciences given by researchers from the University's Plant Science Department and the Sainsbury Laboratory.

A3 prospectus for Basketball Academy

2018-02-01

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Smith has designed a new look oversize A3 prospectus for Cambridge's Basketball Academy. Smith took what was a small leaflet produced in-house - and transformed it into a large format A3 piece in order to grab attention and create visual interest amongst potential student applicants. With photography from Marcus Ginns - the piece was produced gratis by Smith as part of its ongoing design relationship with Long Road Sixth Form College - where the Academy is located, and forms part of its 'Move On Up' promotional campaign.

Smith re-designs NUA alumni magazine

2018-01-01

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Beyond – the Norwich School of Arts alumni magazine has just been published. Our graphic design agency won a five-way pitch to redesign the magazine – taking it from a A5 booklet to an oversize A4 high-end journal format. Published once a year, Beyond has been reworked as part of an ongoing initiative to better engage the college's alumni base. Drawing on Smith's multi-award-winning experience in magazine design and alumni communications with Cambridge University and Aiglon College Switzerland, Smith was chosen to rethink the editorial in order to appeal to a wider age range whilst also improving Beyond's design values.

Working within NUA's design guidelines, Smith then designed and art directed the first issue - colabrating solely with NUA's current students and recent alumni. The magazine was produced as part of a wider project which included the redesign of the Alumni Development Dept's marketiong communications including the redesign of their e-newsletter to alumni and the Marketing Dept's e-shots - creating customisable and easy-to-use templates on MailChimp's email platform.