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D&AD Annual 2020

Marvel Postage Stamps
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  • Graphic DesignStationery

Country

  • United Kingdom

Client

  • Royal Mail

Creative Director

  • Ian McLean
  • Adam Giles

Designer

  • Laura Hiscock

Illustrator

  • Alan Davis

Design Agency

  • Interabang

British comic book artist Alan Davis was briefed to keep the stamp compositions clean and uncluttered, clearly showcasing the characters in action. They came with a sheet of stickers featuring iconic catchphrases and sound effects which could be applied to the stamps creating appeal for comic book fans. For the companion miniature sheet Interabang created a ten-panel comic book strip incorporating stand-alone stamps as panels within the story.

Comment from D&AD Community

  • For me, the Marvel stamps stood out amongst all the other stamp designs entered. The main set were colourful and interactive when paired with the sticker set. But for me, the real point of difference was the stamp mini sheet. Traditionally these are four stamps, all the same size, grouped together with a border design. Quite often the border feels like an afterthought and the mini sheet is a bit of a poor cousin to the main collectors set, but here the designers mixed stamp sizes and positions to create an integrated comic strip design that feels like a cohesive design that tells a mini story of its own. And for me the black keylines around the Queen’s head are a lovely final touch. These stamps left me as green as the Hulk with envy. My new design heroes.

    Jamie Ellul, Creative Director, Supple Studio

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