Norwich Film Festival Wins Best Festival Poster of 2021: Interview of designer Brogan O’Grady
Meet the designer behind the poster of the Norwich Film Festival which was just elected Best Film Festival Poster of 2021 by our readers!
For the second edition of Best Film Festival Poster contest, aimed at celebrating the creativity and work performed by film festivals around the world, over 27,000 votes were recorded. Out of the 24 nominated posters, which were competing until December 25th, the poster of the 2021 Norwich Film Festival topped the ranking! Following Japan’s Kadoma Film Festival, which received global recognition last year, for its 2020 edition’s poster designed by artist Saeko Komiya, Norwich Film Festival’s poster was created by designer Brogan O’Grady with whom we were delighted to chat.
Three posters ended up leading the overall ranking – three points being attributed to a poster chosen as a first pick, two points when chosen as a second pick, and one point when chosen in third position: UK-based Norwich Film Festival (with 12.41% of the total points), Lisbon-based Olhares do Mediterrâneo – Women’s Film Festival (11.99%), and Arkansas-based Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (10.48%).
Founded in 2009 and taking place annually in Norwich, UK, during November, the Norwich Film Festival has become a key annual event for emerging and established filmmakers from all over the world. For its 2021 edition, the festival teamed up with designer Brogan O’Grady who created an isometric representation of Norwich City Centre. We were delighted to ask Brogan a few questions about this year’s winning poster!
Film Fest Report: Hi Brogan, can you introduce yourself?
Brogan O’Grady: Hi, I’m Brogan, an illustrator/designer and animator living in Norwich city with my partner, Libby and dog, Arty. I grew up in Lixnaw, County Kerry in the south west of Ireland and moved to London in 2016. Since moving to Norwich, I’ve been working as an illustrator/motion designer with a bunch of incredibly talented people at Meantime Media. Alongside this, I work as a freelance designer, taking on lots of different projects.
Film Fest Report: How would you define your style as an illustrator/designer?
Brogan O’Grady: I like to think my style is still evolving. When a project comes in with some creative freedom I use that as a way to try new things and experiment. But my love of colour and texture is present in all of my work, whether I’m creating it with a pencil, on my computer or cutting up photos!
Film Fest Report: How did you end up working for the Norwich Film Festival? How did the collaboration start?
Brogan O’Grady: It all started when I was introduced to Kellen Playford, the founder of Norwich Film Festival. I saw how passionate the whole NFF team were about the festival and knew I wanted to get involved. I was invited to create a poster for the 2019 festival and had an absolute blast working on it! Following this, I was brought on board as their lead designer to create a multitude of design elements ranging from the poster and programs to the brand guidelines. Every year, our aim is to create something unique and slightly different than the last.
Film Fest Report: When you started designing the poster of the 2021 edition, what were your intentions?
Brogan O’Grady: Most years, the poster represents the films submitted to the festival! But this year I wanted to do something slightly different and celebrate the home of the Norwich Film festival by giving a nod to some of the Fine City’s landmarks!
Film Fest Report: Can you describe the poster? What does it represent? What does it tell?
Brogan O’Grady: The poster was created using isometric angles. I’d been playing around with this style for a few months beforehand and thought it’d be a great way for me to try to incorporate the letters “NFF” into the design. After lots of sketching (and messing up) I decided on the letters acting as sort of building blocks for abstract shapes to sit on and merge into, creating subtle nods to some of Norwich’s iconic landmarks such as the Castle sitting at the top of the N or the famous stripes of the Norwich market!
Film Fest Report: What type of feedback did you get after this work?
Brogan O’Grady: The feedback was lovely. Especially from mum and dad (my biggest fans).
Film Fest Report: From the 23 other nominees for the title of “Best film festival poster of 2021”, can you mention one poster which particularly caught your attention?
Brogan O’Grady: The poster for Silk Road International Film Festival in Dublin. I loved this one. The work of João da Fonseca is incredible and I’m a big fan!
Film Fest Report: Looking ahead, what can we wish you for 2022?
Brogan O’Grady: In 2022 I plan to spend a little more time away from the computer, exploring traditional methods of creating art and basically messing around a bit more. I love the little (or sometimes big) imperfections traditional methods bring over most digital stuff!
The whole team of Film Fest Report congratulates designer Brogan O’Grady for her achievement, and all the other nominees for their excellent work! See you next year for another lineup of incredible designs! In the meantime, make sure to follow us as we kick off the new film festival season!
