Sarah Thorne- Topshop Packaging

I'm a graphic designer based in London. Since training at Central Saint Martins and graduating with a 1st Class Hons degree I have gone on to work for agencies, studios and magazines. Currently I work for Topshop as their Creative Designer, based just off Oxford Street. At the moment I'm designing the packaging for the new Topshop Make Up range, an ongoing project, which has been a real success since launching on the 5th of May 2010. This project in particular has involved a great deal of travel, sourcing componentry, paper stocks and print internationally.

Beyond the Make Up range, my work has been predominantly fashion-based, creating print for small and large events, working for a range of people from corporate clients to small boutiques. I've created branding, graphics packages for launches, invitations, posters and flyers. I have designed window schemes, exhibition spaces, cafes, catwalk shows and commissioned installations. Working with photographers and copy writers I have enjoyed varied editorial work for magazines, fanzines and newspaper formats.

Designing materials which engage people is really important to me. It has always been my objective to undertake each new project as something very special, in the hope of attracting attention and communicating clearly. If it suits a brief, I enjoy making things by hand, using collage, painting, printing and illustration.

Handwritten type using charcoal/ chalks creating a natural, humble yet stylish look.

First released make-up for A/W 10 simple textured spots and stripes and basic illustrations on packaging for a clean, young approach.

(Design for Topshops’ new Main line make up range. Packaging features matt grey componentry with black patterns, uncoated cartons with grey print, hand drawn illustrations and text.)

S/S10
(Design of Topshops’ trend led make up range. Packaging features die cut shapes, foiling, feathered tabs and hand drawn illustration, taken from a festival theme.)

A/W 11- changing seasons, the packaging appears darker hues of grey to reflect the darker months. Smaller spots replicating stars and triangle cut outs.

(Design of Topshops’ Autumn / Winter 2010 Limited edition Make-Up range. 'Heavy Duty' packaging features mirror finishes, triangular boxes, die cut angles, foiling, and scribbled illustrations.)

S/S 11- Fresher & warmer, touches of colours, Mountains and sun

(Design of Topshops' Spring Summer 2011 make up range 'Sand Storm'. Packaging features a desert scape, setting the scene for nude and bronzed product shades. Cut-away cartons join to become one dramatic mountain range, softened by hand drawn dashes and painted swatches of colour.)

Used in publications, each magazine uses different techniques to sell makeup, looking at the arrangement of the range into categories, sizes, shapes. Revealing colours by taking off lids and pouring out the makeup or using the makeup on the paper.