Today is Remembrance Sunday. This is particularly important to me because my grandfather was in the army, my grandmother was in the Wrens during World War Two and her brother died on D-Day. Also amongst my friends I know of people who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan today.
Even though I am passionate about the poppy and everything it stands for, I hate the idea of war and all the waste and suffering that goes alongside it. Do these contradictory views matter when one is creating a design or is that tension valuable?
During last year we did a poppy brief, using the power of the colour red. I love the poppy
because it is such a simple yet powerful emblem of pain, commitment, honour and
bravery. In design terms, the power of the poppy lies in its purity of line and simplicity of image. The colour red has a range of opposing connotations, such as blood and danger, along side love and warmth.
Thus the poppy is interpreted in different ways by individuals within society. The poppy, in its simplicity, allows these interpretations to have personal significance and even extends to feelings such as hope and promise. These do not necessarily associate with the colour red, however the poppy as a symbol, evokes these emotions. It is a clear, focused and direct symbol.
It is arguably the purest example of successful design. I try to extend these values where appropriate in my work and life.
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