Kate Forrester

I've moved house.

2011-10-17T02:12:00.000-07:00

This is now officially my OLD BLOG. Booooo! But the good news is that I have a brand new shiny NEW BLOG that is integrated with my illustration website. So now you can see all my news and portfolio in one place. So please do come and visit me and I promise more regular updates from now on.

Tales From The Cold

2011-07-12T00:43:00.000-07:00

In the past few months, I have been lucky enough to have access to a laser cutting machine. I have been working on a series of paper cut figures from folklore tales that I have been reading about. I think maybe in retaliation to the baking desert heat we are currently experiencing, I find myself drawn to the stories of ice and darkness from the northern hemisphere. Here is one of my favourite designs, taken from an inuit folk tale. The paper cut version is currently in an exhibiton at the Tashkeel Gallery in Dubai.

Always Typographic Advert

2011-07-12T00:38:00.000-07:00

Advertising agency, Leo Burnett in Chicago commissioned me to create this colourful piece of typography for a press advert for Always. Now in Teen Vogue among other publications!

Free Range Eggs!

2011-06-22T20:20:00.000-07:00

My favourite part of this McDonalds project was to design some huge and ornate illustrations to adorn the sides of their delivery trucks. This is surely my biggest 'canvas' to date but I had so much fun inventing these surreal landscapes. Commissioned by the international advertising agency, Leo Burnett, I have been working on this project for about 6 months and there is still more to come!

As well as the 4 trucks, keep an eye out for numerous press ads in UK national papers and magazines during June and July and more of my illustrations on their website here.

McDonalds Summer Advertising Campaign

2011-06-17T20:05:00.000-07:00

After many months of hard graft, I am delighted to unveil, the first in a series of ads I have created for McDonalds UK. The campaign, based around the ABC of the brand's ethics, will be running throughout the summer in UK national press as well as online, in-store and on the sides of some rather beautiful trucks. I'll put more pictures up soon!

Sevenseas Jointcare Adverts

2011-06-10T01:46:00.000-07:00

Spotted! If you are in London this summer, keep an eye out for my latest illustrations for UK brand Sevenseas. I took these slightly shaky shots while standing on a travelling tube (with all the other passengers giving me very strange looks!) There are more up throughout the Underground as well at press adverts in the national newspapers, digital escalator panels and animated online banners. I'll post more soon!

Sasha Wagstaff Series

2011-06-10T01:37:00.000-07:00

I have had the pleasure of designing lots of book covers but this one has to be one of my particular favourites. Earlier this year I was asked by Headline books to rebrand their best selling author, Sasha Wagstaff. They wanted a mixture of illustration and photography on the cover of her latest novel, as well as a strong, modern look for Sasha's name.

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

2011-06-10T00:18:00.000-07:00

This post is shamefully late - but I am just now surfacing from my busiest work period EVER. I have some exciting new work to show you and one big project to reveal next week. But for now, let's skip back a couple of months to The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair which this year had the very special new addition of an Illustrator's Corner - promoting illustration and matchmaking artists and publishers from the Middle East and North Africa and across the globe. It was a pleasure to be involved this year and I made some great contacts as well as meeting a load of fabulous and talented artists from the region. Here is a small selection of designers, animators and illustrators who I got to know at the book fair. Click their pictures for a link to their own websites and here for more information on the book fair.

As well as exhibiting my work at the Book Fair, I was asked by The National newspaper to illustrate the cover of their special edition book fair magazine - for which they requested a typographic interpretation of the 50 Novels You Should Have Read - have you read them all?!

Marks & Spencer Royal Wedding Tin

2011-03-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

Feeling patriotic? The folks at Marks and Sparks commissioned me to create this illustration for a rather unique biscuit tin, commemorating the Royal wedding next month. These beautiful, limited edition tins will be available from today at an M&S near you so get yourself one to celebrate the nuptials of Will & Kate!

A Poem for Valentines Day

2011-02-13T19:17:00.000-08:00

A special client commissioned me to hand ink this poem for his loved one on Valentines Day. The poem, hand written with a dipping pen and italian calligraphy pigment is so touching, I wanted to share it with you:

I could happily waste a day
in Paperchase
searching for the card
that perfectly captures in paper hearts
how it feels to look upon your rollercoaster grin
when I am within you.
There is no perfume
that smells exactly
completely
absolutely and entirely
of your particular shade of blonde,
the sweet and secret taste of your skin
cannot be found
in any multicoloured flavour combination
of Jelly Bean,
and as far as I can tell
there doesn’t yet grow the rose
whose name
roughly translated from latin
describes the dumb rush of blood to my heart
when you first walked towards me again.
And so
yet again
calendar-trapped and lacking the exact cliché
I depend upon this final redundancy –
my words,
awkward, graceless,
but all that I have to tell is what you already know.
I love you.

Anonymous

Valentines warm up

2011-02-12T23:27:00.000-08:00

As you know, V.day is tomorrow so to get you in the mood, here is a little preview of my illustration for our LOVELY mailer from my agency, The Artworks.

Oh la la!

2011-02-12T23:15:00.000-08:00

US publishing house Harlequin commissioned me to design some typography for this saucy novel.

Waterstones Prize Winner

2011-02-12T23:03:00.000-08:00

I have some really exciting news to share with you today...Artichoke Hearts by first time author Sita Brahmachari has been awarded first prize in Waterstone's Children's Book Awards 2011. This beautiful novel, aimed at 11-14 year olds, explores some delicate and sensitive subjects about life and death as well as culture, friendship and identity. I was also lucky enough to have illustrated the cover and the drawings throughout. So it is an attractive package and a thoroughly good read- whatever your age!

2011-01-30T19:09:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's good to get away from the screen and make. I have a new found respect for screen-printers - it's really hard manual labour! These are my first samples but next week I will be rolling out a batch of these prints - white ink silk-screen on beige-grey A2 with hand painted red hearts. Only a very limited number will be available so if you want to get your hands on one, drop me a line here.

Screen printing

2011-01-28T05:41:00.000-08:00

I have just finished designing this poster to screen print on Sunday. Then maybe it will be for sale...

Moonstruck design awards!

2011-01-11T19:35:00.000-08:00

I just received an email from my friends at Sandstrom Design, telling me some exciting news from the US. Above is the latest addition to the Moonstruck/Kate Forrester chocolate collection - purple foil, soft touch coated metallic silver ink and embossed high glass white ink. I'm so pleased with the result. Not only that, we have been chosen to win a Rosey Award (Advertising and Design Award Show) for best packaging design of the year in Portland and also have been awarded number 28 in The Dieline's top 100 Package designs of 2010! For those who don't know it, The Dieline is an international packaging design website, showcasing the best packaging design from across the globe. Here are a few of my favourite winning entries from the list:

Cocoa Jars for Moonstruck

2011-01-06T01:26:00.000-08:00

Here is some more of my work for Moonstruck Chocolate - yummy!

Tiffany Holiday Lettering

2011-01-01T19:16:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I want to start this year with a very exciting project I have been working on for Tiffany. Their New York design department asked me to create some hand drawn lettering for the window displays and signage in Japan and London, as well as the flagship store in NYC. Here are just a few pieces from the range, cut from paper and vinyl and even one painted on a sandwich board for their London 'tuck shop!'

Design: Lucy-Ann Bouwman/Sightgeist Design, Inc.
Photography courtesy of: ©2010 Chris Akelian/Pax Whitfield

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

2010-12-16T04:01:00.000-08:00

I am really feeling in the Christmas spirit now after completing another delightful festive job. London based design studio fivefootsix asked me to create some illustrative, hand drawn lettering for a very special poster to send out to their clients this Christmas.

WRG Christmas Card

2010-12-14T03:21:00.000-08:00

International creative communication agency WRG asked me to design their Christmas card this year.

Waitrose Christmas Packaging

2010-12-05T20:49:00.000-08:00

I can finally reveal some delicious festive packaging I have created for high-end British supermarket, Waitrose. I was asked to design a series of illustrated Christmas letters to be used in store on packaging, point of sale, bags, Christmas cards and various festive gifts and homeware. So next time you are wandering the aisles of Waitrose, be sure to stock up on some yummy food and colourful gift ideas, illustrated by Kate!

Financial Times Illustrations

2010-11-28T20:54:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of the illustrations I created for the FT which were featured in their Life and Arts section (last weekend and next) to illustrate their Christmas reading lists.

Edinburgh Sparkles Advertising Campaign

2010-11-23T23:51:00.000-08:00

The festive season is fast approaching and I have lots of Christmas illustrations to shout about this year. First up is a brand new ad campaign, created for the Edinburgh tourist board alongside Touch Studio in Scotland. Keep a look out for billboards and posters, adorned with my festive lettering and a lovely animated version here.

Eye Candy

2010-10-26T22:48:00.000-07:00

At long last you can feast your eyes on my latest range of chocolate bar wrappers and moulds created for Moonstruck. Again, in collaboration with the guys at Sandstrom Partners in Oregon, I designed this new range to describe the picturesque location of the popular brand. Based in the leafy city of Portland, Moonstruck are proud of their roots and wanted the wrappers to depict the bridge and countryside that surrounds them. This time round, I also got to design the bar moulds for the actual chocolate to be poured into. See more here.

New Prints

2010-10-17T22:44:00.000-07:00

I have been getting all inky in preparation for a print show and exhibition we are having at the beginning of November in Dubai. This week I have been working on a new and improved aqua version of the illustration 'Kiss.' This and many more will be available to buy at the show (more details to come) or you can order it online here.

Wall Street Journal

2010-10-17T22:38:00.000-07:00

Editorial illustration in Wall Street Journal last week to accompany an article on social networking sites.

Mermaid

2010-10-17T22:32:00.000-07:00

Here is a brand new piece of lettering I have recently finished for Carolyn Turgeon's new book, Mermaid. I was commissioned by Headline to design the title lettering to look like a woman's hair, floating in the water.

Chocs away!

2010-10-17T22:22:00.000-07:00

Very soon I will be posting a brand new range of chocolate bars I illustrated for Moonstruck this year. Until I get hold of the photos, here is a sneak preview of the designs I came up with for the actual bar moulds. In collaboration with Sandstrom Partners in Oregon, we designed both the packaging and the chocolate bars themselves for Moonstruck's Classic range. Share if you dare...

Delicious Moonstruck Packaging

2010-09-15T02:37:00.000-07:00

I was asked by design studio Sandstrom Partners in Portland, Oregon, to create these three wrapper designs for Moonstruck Chocolate. The company specialise in handcrafted, exceptional looking chocolate. First on the shelves are these Single Origin bars, featuring my illustrations based on the exotic origins of the cocoa beans. More to come from Moonstruck soon! And also thanks to Grace at Design Sponge for blogging about my work and for everyone's kind words here.

Paper Cut Editorial

2010-07-12T01:24:00.000-07:00

I created this paper-cut illustration for a US lifestyle magazine article about career change.

New Lettering

2010-07-12T01:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak preview of some illustrative type for a new book by Anne Pearlman and some misty, mysterious lettering as well...

Hats & Bells Logo

2010-07-12T01:09:00.000-07:00

Children's party caterers Hatty and Bella asked me to create a logo for their successful company - Hats & Bells . They wanted something quirky, playful and delicious - so this is what I came up with....

Havana Times Prize Winner

2010-06-08T00:10:00.000-07:00

I am pleased as punch to have just been informed that I won first prize in the Havana Times Cuban Urban life photography competition. I have always had a soft spot for this beautiful, strange place and took hundreds of photos of the colourful, shabby streets of Havana and Trinidad. I entered 2 pictures entitled: The Future is ours (above - 1st prize) and The Irony (below - short-listed) Check out the other winners here.

1 year = PAPER

2010-05-03T23:32:00.000-07:00

We celebrated our one year anniversary in Muscat, Oman. It really is a magical place.

Victoria's Secret Card

2010-04-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

The team at Victoria's Secret asked me to come up with a design for their bridal collection gift cards. They needed the design to be swirly and feminie but with a sassy edge, in keeping with their famous brand. These cards will be available soon in stores across the US.

Valentines Exhibition

2010-02-06T08:20:00.000-08:00

I am taking part in an exhibition this week in Lewes, East Sussex. The 'I Love you' Valentines Exhibition is on until 14th February and all profits go to children's heart charities. So if you are in the area - come along and show your support and have the chance to buy some affordable art from an range of local artists including Graham Carter, Sanna Annukka and myself.

Be My Tiffany Valentine

2010-01-19T06:12:00.000-08:00

Just spotted the first of my designs for Tiffany & Co on their website. I have been working with the designers at Tiffany's in New York to create some bespoke lettering for their 2010 Valentines campaign and press adverts. More to come....

Computer Arts Projects

2010-01-19T03:01:00.000-08:00

Look out for a bit more paper cut magic in next month's Computer Arts Projects magazine which is out on the 28th January. The issue is all about handmade versus digital art and they are doing a feature on my work for John Lewis so they asked me to illustrate this double page in the same paper cut style. Enjoy!

2009-12-21T09:23:00.000-08:00

My work was featured in January 2010 edition of House and Garden magazine. I love that green wall!

Happy Christmas!

2009-12-15T04:04:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling really festive now! Check out this Christmas card and gift catalogue I also did for John Lewis to tie in with their paper cut ad campaign.

Billboard excitement

2009-12-15T03:48:00.000-08:00

I was so very excited to see these pictures that I had to share them with you! Very large versions of my designs (below) all over London and the UK.

John Lewis Christmas Campaign

2009-11-30T03:33:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to reveal these new paper-cut illustrations I have created for John Lewis this Christmas. Illustrating this big campaign involved the creation of 10 different typographic images of their slogan 'Give the Perfect Gift.' Look out for these posters - currently adorning billboards, buses, underground stations and newspapers all over the UK until Christmas.

Alice in Wonderland Wedding

2009-11-30T01:23:00.001-08:00

Earlier this month, my good friend and sister-in-law, Jo, was married to Laurence on a beautiful sunny autumn day. Here are a few of the photos from the wedding, taken by awesome wedding photographer Paul Glavin, as well as some lettering and design I did for the big day. Congratulations Jo and Laurence!

These are my designs for the invitations, menus and place names for their english tea-party/Alice in Wonderland reception.

Crystal Clear book cover

2009-11-12T03:15:00.000-08:00

A brand new book cover design for one of Headline's 'little black books.'

Typographic Book Covers

2009-10-14T02:33:00.000-07:00

I've had a busy few months designing books for the likes of Orion, Penguin and Harper Collins. Here is a selection from the last few months. What do you think?

My mate Marmite

2009-10-14T02:08:00.000-07:00

I've just completed a lovely job for Unilever and Absolute Press who are producing a luxury, hard-back, 'coffee table' book, dedicated to the delights (and horrors) of Marmite. They commissioned me to produce 3 typographic illustrations for the book. Here is a sneak preview....out later this month.

Guardian front cover

2009-08-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

Did you catch my front page illustration in the Guardian Review this Saturday?

New Typographic work

2009-08-10T05:41:00.000-07:00

New Books

2009-08-10T05:04:00.000-07:00

I've had some exciting post this month as lots of my newly published books have been arriving at my studio.

I was delighted to receive the dutch publication of De reis van de zwaluw (A Single Swallow) - although something tells me I'd have difficulty reading this one! Also recently published is Sunday Times columnist, Ariel Leve's book based on her deliciously dark and pessimistic weekly column, The Cassandra Chronicles.

Guardian illustration

2009-07-10T06:26:00.000-07:00

My illustration for an article on Jack Penate in The Guardian Guide last month.

Comfort Studio Website launch

2009-07-07T02:40:00.000-07:00

I was very excited to see my logo design on Comfort Studio's brand new website and blog along with a shining testimonial from Julie who commissioned the logo. Thanks guys!

Hand Lettering and Invitations

2009-06-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

Au Revoir to all that

2009-06-02T03:08:00.000-07:00

Keep an eye out for my brand new cover for the delicious 'Au Revoir to All That', commissioned by Bloomsbury books - out this month!

Logo design for Photography studio

2009-05-28T06:12:00.000-07:00

I was asked by the very talented photographers at Comfort Studio in Costa Rica, to redesign their company logo and branding for the launch of their new site later this year. Below are some of the initial ideas - I'll put the final logo up soon. They wanted the logo to look modern and clean with an organic twist.

A Single Swallow

2009-05-28T06:08:00.000-07:00

I was so pleased with the outcome of this cover for Random House Publishing. A fascinating non-fiction about a man who travelled from South Africa to South Wales. My illustration was also bought by the Dutch publishing house!

Teachers Magazine

2009-05-28T05:58:00.000-07:00

I just received the final printed magazine featuring of this illustration I did for the guys at John Brown Publishing. The article was about teaching kids philosophy at primary school and they used versions of my illustration on the front cover as well as the double page article inside.

Hand lettered envelopes

2009-03-16T02:04:00.000-07:00

I sent out my wedding invitations this weekend- so exciting. As well as designing the invites with a little help from my good friend and illustrator Alice Stevenson, I did more than 80 of these hand lettered envelopes using a dipping pen and calligraphy ink.

2009-02-17T03:24:00.000-08:00

I was delighted to be chosen by the Computer Arts magazine to write a feature on my work. The section is entitled 'Brief Encounter' and focusses on how artists tackle specific high-profile projects and they asked me to write about all the exciting print and installation illustration I have been doing for Harvey Nichols this winter. Check out my article in this month's issue or read the full article here.

Scaramouche and Captain Blood Novels

2009-02-16T06:54:00.000-08:00

Here's a sneak preview of the classic Sabatini novels to be rereleased by Random House Vintage. I worked with their designer to create some swirly, illustrative type for the famous pirate books, in stores soon!

Harvey Nichols Winter Wonderland

2009-02-16T06:30:00.000-08:00

Although a teeny bit out of season now (the sun is finally shining in Brighton!) here are some more pictures I did for Harvey Nichols for their huge in-store campaign this winter. My ornate designs were used for cards, menus, promotional boards and other festive excitements throughout their flagship Knightsbridge store.

Faces and Places - Havana / Trinidad 09

2009-02-04T02:58:00.000-08:00

Just returned home to Brighton after an inspiring trip to Cuba. We travelled round Havana, Trinidad, Cienfuegos and La Boca, saw some incredible places and met some great people. Here are a few of the photos I took along the way...

Fashion Illustration for Harvey Nichols

2008-12-02T03:20:00.000-08:00

I have had a fantastic and manic couple of months working with the Harvey Nichols press team. This is the cover of the 2009 Press Edit Catalogue for the Spring/Summer collection. I also was commissioned to work in collaboration with their designer to illustrate every page of catalogue as well as some specific items by Yves San Laurent, Jil Sandler and L.A.M.B and many more. Keep your eyes on this page and I'll post some of my fashion illustrations up soon!

Harvey Nichols Halloween extravaganza

2008-12-01T04:24:00.000-08:00

I spent a month working with the Press team at Harvey Nichols doing a range really exciting projects for their Spring/Summer 2009 collection Press Day. As well as all the printed artwork, I was asked to work alongside the very talented Fiona Leahy and her event design team in creating the Halloween themed decor for the day itself. This included my giant typographic illustration which was printed on vinyl and provided the back drop on the main wall - see above.

I also made some giant vinyl stickers of skulls and cobwebs to go on walls and mirrors and some more creepy typography for the Harvey Nics goody bags- Trick or treat!

Last of all, I spent fantastic day with Fiona in the studio carving some very ornate pumpkins!

Press Day invitations for Harvey Nichols

2008-11-02T03:10:00.000-08:00

Harvey Nichols also commissioned me to design all the printed invitations for thier 2009 Fashion Press Day, as well as the e-vites, in a curly-but-sophisticated typographic style...

Don't Panic Cover

2008-11-01T01:29:00.000-07:00

Last month my cover for Don't Panic magazine/crazy-bag-of-flyers was out. The brief was a typographic illustration based on the theme 'forever' to be printed in black on their signature brown paper bags.

Anne Rice Novels Typography

2008-10-11T06:15:00.000-07:00

Look out for the relaunch of Anne Rice's famous Vampire novels: Interview with the Vampire, Queen of the Damned and The Vampire Lestat. I was commissioned by Little Brown books to design some creepy, illustrative typography for the 3 new covers - in shops now!