BA (Hons) Graphic Design student Solace Brandy Omondi, 19 years old, features as one of just 700 artists in the international Secret 7″ exhibition and auction. Secret 7″ brings together “7 iconic tracks from 7 of the world’s top musicians, each pressed just 100 times onto a 7” vinyl. Creative minds from across the globe are invited to reinterpret these tracks, producing 700 one-of-a-kind sleeve designs. All 700 sleeves are showcased at a free exhibition before being auctioned off in support of War Child. The twist? Both artists and musicians remain anonymous until buyers have parted with their cash.”

“This year’s artist contributors include Antony Gormley, Sir Paul Smith, Robert Smith, Yinka Ilori, Rana Begum, Haroon Mirza, Ken Nwadiogbu, Andrew Pierre Hart, Yooyun Yang, Vicken Parsons, Stanley Donwood, Anthony Burrill, Sumuyya Khader, Giles Deacon, Andy Vella, James Joyce, Alice Tye, Owen Gildersleeve, Daniel P Carter, Adam Riches and more including Solace Omondi!”

Speaking of submitting her work to the competition Solace explained “my lecturer Owen told me about Secret 7” back in January and encouraged me to enter as I had just done a similar project on the theme of music. I chose the song ‘Beautiful People’ by Jessie Ware from the 7 songs on the brief’s track list. My design is inspired by Lisa Hanawalt (my favourite artist) her style is experimental and chaotic which I aspire to be. Although I’m on graphic design I came from studying fine art, so I wanted to do something illustrative. I chose to take the lyrics literally, so my design is quite provocative and unexpected, I created some fun characters with the motif of ‘peas’ and the idea of self-expression.”

“I love working with mixed-media so referencing Lisa Hanawalt, I created something with watercolour textures with a RISO twist so to speak. I illustrated my design digitally in Procreate but I wanted the texture to have a watercolour quality with a RISO effect to it so I edited the final product in Photoshop to achieve this. These are techniques I’ve learned on the course and its all about taking one concept and pushing it in different directions with various techniques and processes.”

Speaking of competition and being selected she said “I can’t share my design till the Secret 7” auction is up. But you can see all the designs on their auction page and guess which one is mine of course! Secret 7” chooses seven tracks from renowned musicians, pressing each track onto 100 limited-edition 7” vinyl records. They then invite creatives to design a sleeve for one of the 7 songs, I found out around 11pm, I randomly woke up and saw an email from the morning that I’d been selected. I didn’t believe it at first then in the morning read it properly. I was so surprised and shocked. I’m so pleased to have been selected amongst so many talented creatives. It’s a dream to have my work on display like this and to have been chosen gave me so much confidence.”

Reflecting on her time on our BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree she said, “I really enjoy my course. There are ups and downs in terms of not feeling like I have what it takes but I think that’s normal. I’m lucky to be in a class with people and have lectures who are energetic, kind and helpful. Everyday is something different on my course and its fun. It’s more than just digital we genuinely work with all sorts of tools, materials and software. Being on Graphic Design is one of the best courses because you learn so many skills, everyday is different from being given day briefs to market carrots, image projecting onto cans and making patterns with rollers.”

Speaking of her advice for new students she said, “my perspective of design has changed so much being on graphic design. I am someone who likes to take photos of everything and collect materials and stationery because you never know what you’ll make out of it later. No matter what your niche is bring that into your work. Put yourself out there. I think it’s important to build confidence in yourself at your own pace. Don’t compare yourself to others instead ask how do you do that? Getting to know others style and process has helped improve my skills in areas I lack. I also started my art account back up. Share your process as well as outcomes and illustrate who you are as well as your work, I think that sets you apart from others. Don’t just design for deadlines and the course but practice at home too.”