Past Present.

Welcome to our shows from 2020-2023.

This is a showcase of work by students in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, who graduated from 2020 to 2022.

It's all of us, together, in a digital show you curate for yourself - not pre-arranged into rooms, courses or disciplines. You do the arranging. Want to see all the red things we made? Or all the work about identity, nature or isolation? Look at what you want to, when you want to, whether it's all the illustration, all the writing, all the movies or performance. You get the idea.

This exhibition is yours for the making. Go explore.

For more information about our faculty, visit the ARU website.
Whilst Anglia Ruskin University remains committed to freedom of speech for individuals, the views and opinions included in this showcase belong to their authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Anglia Ruskin University. If you've got any concerns please contact us.

Lauren Maxwell

Graphic Design - BA (Hons)

Lauren Maxwell is a Graphic Designer with a keen interest in poster design; she is intrigued by the relationship between type and image and how they must work in harmony to create a striking piece of design. Lauren has strongly broadened her bank of inspiration whilst studying the third year of her Graphic Design degree. This has been through seeking design work from creatives all around the world - both past and present. A strong field of her inspiration has been from Polish Posters in terms of graphics, colour and typography.

This interest in poster design inspired Lauren’s Final Major Project, she wanted to explore poster design as an art form by creating souvenir posters for the productions at Cambridge Arts Theatre. These would be an artistic form of merchandise that would celebrate each play. Lauren designed every poster with the audience in mind, regarding what they would want to take home and frame. The experience encouraged Lauren to experiment with physical processes, as opposed to digital, with methods such as hand lettering.

As a Graphic Designer Lauren is conscientious and always looking for ways to improve. Her biggest achievement to date is being shortlisted in the Penguin Student Design Awards under the Non Fiction Cover category. Lauren would like to continue to pursue her interest in poster design, and is currently particularly drawn to film, music and theatre. She also remains interested in the prospect of a souvenir poster for the theatre, as this is a niche she has enjoyed designing for and would be excited to take further.

"The Woman in Black" Souvenir Poster. The simplistic illustration of The Woman in Black’s face provides just the right amount of ambiguity for the ghostly character. The rough texture of the oil pastel, used for both the face and the hand lettering, produced a desirably eerie aesthetic. Lauren Maxwell.

"The Sound of Music" Souvenir Poster. This poster celebrates the joyful energy that is present in the play. The theme of music and family is portrayed by the paper cut letters (sheet music) and the small illustrations of the von Trapp family climbing up the type. The vibrant colour scheme in the background resonates with the beautiful scenery of the Alps. Lauren Maxwell.

"Othello" Souvenir Poster. This purely typographic poster resonates with the audience’s love for Shakespeare’s language, featuring hand lettered quotations from the play - and large paper cut type for the title. Lauren Maxwell.

"Richard Alston Dance Company". The negative space within the paper cut dancer provided an excellent space for the hand lettered type to sit. The dancer reaches for each corner of the poster creating a dynamic image that celebrates the energy of the dance show. Lauren Maxwell.