News

Badge of pride

Published 6 August 2012

University of Brighton graduate Julia Zeen has designed Olympic lapel badges that have become a massive craze among millions of Games fans around the world.

The 30-year-old, who studied illustration at the university's Faculty of Arts, and fellow designer Stuart Langley won a commission from sponsor Coca-Cola and came up with 182 official London 2012 pins.

Julia, a graphic designer for BozBoz web design agency in Hove, incorporated instantly-recognisable London landmarks into her pin designs, including Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

Part of her reward was being a torchbearer for the Olympic flame when it passed through Lancing: "I was so nervous but it was a fantastic experience – people kept taking my picture."

Julia said her illustration course at the University of Brighton gave her the foundation she needed for her career: "I learnt how to develop concepts and ideas and to work to a brief. Students are encouraged to let their imagination run riot and to think outside of the box to come up with something unique.

"Although working to a brief is important in the real world, during the Illustration course you have more freedom to work on your own personal concepts and visions, I think this is important to help develop your own style and explore what works best for you.

Coca-Cola pins designed for the opening and closing ceremonies

"I really enjoyed the course and would definitely recommend it to others. One of the most beneficial aspects of the course is being surrounded by like-minded people in a creative environment, being able to brainstorm ideas with friends, and seeing what other people are doing and how they have approached a project in a different way really helps with the development of your own work.

"This is something that I missed a lot since leaving university but have recently rediscovered working in a design agency."