Arts Campaign Branding: How #Artskickers Went From Local Project to Bold Creative Movement

The Brief

Founder Angie Gough had run a year-long community campaign celebrating local artists in East London and was planning an awards event to say “thank you” to those making a creative impact.

She came to me with a few DIY designs and a clear vision:

• Redesign the logo
• Create visuals for award categories, leaflets, and posters
• Bring her superhero-themed concept to life
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What she didn’t have was a consistent, recognisable brand or the time and expertise to bring it all together.

She needed someone who could elevate the creative direction, inject energy and consistency, and make her idea stand out.

Here's What Happened

Once I stepped in, the project naturally grew. As we dug deeper into what #Artskickers stood for, it was clear this wasn’t just an awards event, it was a full creative movement.

So I created a bold, adaptable visual identity rooted in Angie’s superhero theme, and rolled it out across:

• Logo and visual identity system
• Social media graphics
• Business cards, posters, flyers and leaflets
• Event invites, awards and stage graphics
• Billboard design and van wraps
• Stencils, print brochures and more

The look was colourful, playful and full of energy, designed to get attention and build emotional connection. Every element was crafted with intention and purpose, reinforcing the campaign’s message at every touchpoint.

Result

With a cohesive brand identity in place, #Artskickers became more than a local campaign, it became a movement.

The impact included:

• A visually striking identity that made the campaign instantly recognisable
• A full suite of brand assets that scaled across print, digital and large-format media
• Confirmed Arts Council England funding for the 2018 event
• A bus tour across six East London locations featuring local artists and Street Orchestra London
• The involvement of renowned designer Morag Myerscough, who co-designed the event stage, now a permanent installation at Dalston Curve Garden
• Shoreditch Art Wall collaboration, bringing the brand’s visuals to street level

From van graphics to community murals, the brand created visibility, credibility, and a sense of collective pride.

Reflections

Intentional branding helped take a passion project and turn it into a recognised and funded movement. The trust Angie gave me to bring her vision to life meant I could design boldly and strategically, creating a brand that not only looked exciting, but worked hard behind the scenes to grow awareness, funding, and creative participation.

“I had the vision and ideas but needed someone to bring it all to life — Vardeep did that and so much more. The branding helped us get funding, attract artists, and reach way more people than I ever thought possible. It felt like #Artskickers finally had a voice.” – Angie Gough, Founder of #Artskickers

Deliverables

Brand Identity / Business Cards / Sponsorship Decks / T-shirt Design / Van Graphics / Poster Design / Leaflet Design / Badge Design / Stage Set Design / Banner Design / Social Media Strategy, Content & Designs