Final year project
Illustration and Publishing Design [Read more]
Gender bias and the education system; a guidebook series
Having extensively researched gender bias/stereotyping, I realised that although society has progressed immensely, there are still many environments and industries that are biased towards a certain gender. The outcome of this research was a guidebook series on gender for secondary school students. The purpose of the guidebooks are to prepare and encourage them to apply for any degree or job role that they find interesting, without being daunted by gender bias, armed with the vocabulary to challenge opinions. Teachers and parents have a major impact on a child’s identity and by creating a resource that can be used in an educational environment, a child will get the opportunity to question, learn and become comfortable with their gender. By encouraging children to discuss such issues, teachers and parents will also be encouraged to do so and in turn help each other. I designed this project to encourage students to recognise and combat gender bias and stereotyping.
App AR feature
To accompany the guidebooks, I created an app for the brand which is able to support augmented reality viewing, providing the students with alternative methods of learning.
Activity page
The guidebooks contain a series of interactive activities on gender bias subjects that aim to engage the children, motivate them to discuss the issues with each other and to respect each others opinions. The guidebooks serve as a form of self-evaluation, where they can disprove and alter their subconscious thoughts and biases.
Penguin book cover competition
An entry for the Penguin book cover competition 2020, children’s category: Goodnight Mister Tom.
Penguin book cover competition
Spot illustration and title page example for the Penguin book cover competition 2020, children’s category: Goodnight Mister Tom.
Imposter Syndrome, a Zine
Creative arts & design has the highest percentage of workers who experience Imposter Syndrome. I designed a zine for creatives in the arts/design industry experiencing Imposter Syndrome but are intimidated about the prospective of discussing mental health in the workplace.
Greenpeace marketing campaign
This project is about the effects of consumerism on the environment. I created three illustrations for an animated social media advert aimed at women. I aligned my project with the charity Greenpeace.
Colette Hillcoat-Searle
I am an illustrator and designer with a particular interest in publishing design, from book covers to editorial illustrations, for a multitude of audiences.
Much of my work centres around social or environmental issues, such as gender, consumerism and climate change. I utilise my design skills to give a voice to taboo topics that are often brushed under the carpet; I believe graphic design and illustration can be used to empower causes that require attention. As well as this, I enjoy design for animations, such as storyboarding, conceptual art and character design. Often my work is created both traditionally and digitally, as I enjoy the process of using physical materials to create designs. I would like to pursue a career in the publishing industry as an illustrator/designer.
Final year project
Illustration and Publishing Design
Awards
'20 Diploma in Professional Studies
Placements
July 2018 - November 2018
Design Intern, Think Jam
March 2019 - August 2019
Digital Marketing Intern, Deki