Old school graphic design
A few months ago, I came across my late mother’s portfolio case. Pamela May Allchorn was what I believe to have been one of the greatest graphic designers of her time. I say that without intending to sound -nor be- bias as people whose design opinions I respect have said the same.
I’ve scanned in a majority of the portfolio, and I’ve taken them into photoshop, straightened them up and cropped them. I plan to release a few at a time as my time is limited, but if you’re interested in commercial art (she was an astounding fine artist too), you might be interested in this, the first series of her work.
Here is an advert she designed for Michael Denham Marble. The paper has been fairly damaged over time, but the detail can still be seen. Note the cut and pasted elements (in the old sense) including the dummy text.
Click on the images to enlarge.
Another concept design here for Beacon Sweets. Note the dummy text created by hand. I’m assuming she did this earlier in her career, as later on she appears to start using lorem ipsum.
One of my favourite concept images of hers. Given her gentle, kind hearted nature, it seems like it could have been a difficult brief. I’m sure with her training and experience, it was no problem though.
I don’t know the context behind this image, but I love the use of space and the colours. It really portrays the era (not that I was even around then).
A simple, but nicely presented cooker top advert. Most of these concepts went from her drawing board to the photographic studio before final flighting. You’ll see in future series some before and afters. This one sadly doesn’t have an ‘after’ in her case.
A nice sketchy illustration advert done for Besenol. I remember her also working on Panado adverts, including the print version of the “because I’m a children” TV ad.
And thats it for the first series. A trip down memory lane for some perhaps, and something new for others. Either way, I have so much respect for those classically trained graphic designers of that era. Not to discount those like my good friend Christian Mugnai who has the same training, albeit more modern.
27/02/2009 at 1:27 pm Permalink
Yes, I think it’s fair to say your mother was one of the best designers of her time, these are fantastic!
The Michael Denham Marble illustration/design looks modern and fresh now. The background behind the products is something that would be extremely hard to replicate on a computer (believe me I’ve been trying). It’s so technically precise but has that great texture to it, wonderful stuff.
27/02/2009 at 1:41 pm Permalink
Thanks Brad. Like I said in the post, people whose opinions I respect share my sentiments. And yours is one of them.
That background is amazing, I agree. That is a current style too, if not starting to get over-used.
27/02/2009 at 4:55 pm Permalink
Wow. What a terrific post. Thanks!
28/02/2009 at 9:17 pm Permalink
What a wonderful tribute to a woman I respected and was fortunate to know. It was my first ever visit to Pams studio, that opened my eyes to the world of graphic design( then known as commercial art). Back then people like Pam were real artists, there were no shortcuts, every single job had to be a hand crafted masterpiece.
Pam really was an extreamly talented artist Ross.
I’m sure you are very proud of her and her work.
01/03/2009 at 5:03 pm Permalink
Thanks Chris. Very proud indeed.
05/03/2009 at 9:53 am Permalink
Great Idea Ross, living next door, I kinda got used to the interesting work she did in the studio, and now looking at it from a different perspective -WOW, she was an amazing woman.
05/03/2009 at 9:58 am Permalink
Thanks Ant. Yeah, I thought it appropriate to bring her work into the digital realm so as to inspire graphic designers of today and see what once was. Wannabe graphic designers can also see what was done in the days before Photoshop and Illustrator.
05/03/2009 at 4:23 pm Permalink
Awesome stuff! Still remember doing that way too, before the age of computers… what took two weeks to do then, now takes an hour! Nothing can replace the strength of true creativity from the hand though ;]
26/03/2009 at 12:53 pm Permalink
Wow! This is what graphic designers did, before computer was invented. I’m impressed! Thank you for sharing these images!
As a comforting thought, it occurs to me that if I was born before computers, I still could have a chance to work with graphics professionally (as I do now). Only difference would be, everything would be a bit (a lot) harder. Now I can use Illustrator, Fireworks, tablet+pen… It’s so much easier…
14/08/2009 at 8:16 am Permalink
Ross,
your Mother has some great stuff. It’s brings back alot of memories when I was younger and worked with people just like her.
I was in Paste-up and Prepress areas and worked around other artists with similar skills. I learned alot from them. It was a great time then and it was considered having a valued skill in those days. I was one of the first in those early days of computers in the business and they terrified the Old timers. Back then I didn’t get what they were so afraid of but now 25 years later I see what scared them. Computers have made commercial art kind of soulless. You can’t beat the physical contact of handling work like this in your hands and seeing it up close while you get it print ready and color match with various darkroom color correction techniques. Now you just pull a GUI lever or adjust a GUI tab. It might be easier now but it really requires no skill in the big picture. Lots of really good and skilled people lost their jobs back then because of the changes the CPU brought to the business. Photos now replace everything. Treasure these works, they are a real window to another time when real skill mattered. Thanks for sharing.