If you’ve been out and about in Brilliant Brighton over the last week or so, chances are you’ve seen our wonderful Brilliant Brighton banners brightening up the city centre streets!
The banners (funded by our 500+ city centre businesses as part of our dressing the city project) have been designed by local designer and illustrator Donough O’Malley, following a call for commissions inspired by the brief ‘We Love Brighton’, earlier in the year.
To find out more about the person behind the banners, we had a chat with Donough to hear about his inspiration, his process and love for the city…
Hi Donough! First things first, how long have you been working as a designer?
I’ve been working as an illustrator and designer for the best part of 25 years now, with a few periods of downing the pencil and sketchpad to go traveling, but always sketching.
Can you tell us more about some of the projects you’ve previously worked on?
Oh, I’ve worked on some really fun projects that have all had their unique qualities that I enjoyed – like the award winning kids book series The World of Norm, books about building your own mini bowling alley, painting Wallace & Gromit statues and creating the artwork for Brighton Fringe.
What was your inspiration for the ‘We Love Brighton’ submission?
I wanted to show what a fun city Brighton can be for everyone, and how it has a special place in a lot of people’s hearts, from those who live here to folk who visit.
Many come for the beach but find lots more that the city has to offer, so I wanted to show it’s traditional draws such as ice cream and fairground rides on the beach, to slightly more modern joys such as roller skating. Keeping the images simple, bold and colourful hopefully expresses the fun this city brings to all. I also snuck in one or more lovehearts in each image as a little surprise, some obvious, some not so, that the viewer has to look for.
Can you tell us about your process?
My process is pretty conventional, it always starts off in a sketchpad with a pencil, usually lots of writing first, taking notes, making lists. Lots of words before even the first sketches start. Then it’s narrowed down to selected ideas that are refined and brought onto the computer to finish off digitally. This project for Brilliant Brighton was a bit different though, I pretty much went straight to near final sketches as I knew exactly what I wanted to do for it.
Which is your fave design and why?
For the first time ever I think I’m actually happy with all my illustrations. I’d like to say the one of our darling seagull friends, but I think I’d go with the one of the bandstand as that is where me and my wife got married a few years ago, on a beautiful sunny Brighton day.
Ah, lovely! How does it feel to know that your designs are going to be brightening up the city this summer?
Oh where do I start, it’s an absolute joy and a complete buzz! I giggled like a school kid the first time I saw them up, as I turned a corner on Market Street. It’s been an honour to have been given the commission from Brilliant Brighton who I can’t thank enough.
Before we let you go, one last q – what do you enjoy doing most in Brilliant Brighton on a day off?
I love nothing more than having a slow lazy wander through North Laine towards the beach with my wife and dog, taking in all the unique shops on the way, bumping into friends and going for a beer (or two) in one of the city’s many fine pubs. That is pretty much a perfect day in Brighton for me.
Donough’s playful and colourful banner designs featuring the city’s iconic landmarks, joy-filled summer activities and a nod to Brighton’s pesky but beloved seagulls are displayed high above Western Road, North Street, Bond Street and Market Street, and will be in place until September. Read more about our summer city dressing project here.
See more from Donough at donoughomalley.com and @donoughomalley
