Back in 2018, as part of the launch for IOP Publishing's (IOPP) Multifunctional Materials journal (MFM, 2018-2022), I was given the brief to create a series of illustrations for the journal's thematic areas it was set up to cover. The journal's overall branding was created by the design studio's senior designer, who supported me on the project. 

Working within IOPP's branding strategy at the time, I took a minimalist graphical approach as the style for each thematic area's illustration. The vast majority of my time in this project was undertaking heavy visual research, so I could understand what imagery had the best associations with each thematic area.  

From the gathered imagery (mostly figures) I was able to experiment with many different visuals. Trying to devise an illustration which was both strong visually, but also an effective communicator of its selected area.

Whilst each illustration was based heavily of its associated imagery, I also wanted to communicate the type of science the journal in was, this being the material sciences. This influenced some of the designs more strongly than others, for example area two "Materials in life sciences and biomaterials" used dna imagery as its core (a strong representation of life), but to maintain the link to the material sciences I lent into using angles for its main structure. The sharper design being more reminiscent of artificial structures.   

The strongest designs (visually and representatively) for each area was taken and further refined, also including colour complementary to the journal's branding colours. 

These designs when approved were implemented on a series of postcards and business cards to help market the journal (I was able to keep some for myself!).