libby FrameIn this blog entry, I want to explore the work of a designer and illustrator I discovered recently: Libby Frame. Based in Portland, Oregon, Frame is a freelance illustrator whose bold, expressive style immediately stood out to me. I first came across her work through the album artwork she created for one of my favorite bands, Beach Bunny. Her use of bright, feminine color palettes combined with edgier, pop-punk influences creates a unique visual identity that feels both fresh and nostalgic.
As I looked further into her work, I discovered Peach Riot, a series she developed that centres around three fairy-like characters, Frankie, Gigi, and Poppy, each with their own distinctive style and story. The project beautifully blends fantasy with modern fashion and alternative culture, making it both whimsical and grounded in contemporary aesthetics. Beyond illustration, Frame also produces a wide range of creative products, including art prints, fashion merchandise, and figurines.
What I find most inspiring about Libby Frame’s practice is that she operates entirely as a freelancer. Her ability to build a recognisable and engaging personal brand while working independently is something I deeply admire. As someone looking to move into more freelance opportunities myself, her career path offers a motivating example of how creative work can thrive outside traditional studio environments. I’m especially interested in collaborating with smaller companies and independent artists in the future, helping to bring unique ideas and visual identities to life through design.
my career
Graphic design is a broad and diverse field, encompassing a wide range of disciplines that each offer unique creative opportunities. From editorial and web design to packaging, motion graphics, and typography, graphic design plays a crucial role in how we communicate visually across platforms. Each area requires a different skill set and mindset, editorial design, for example, focuses on layout and readability, while packaging design involves shaping consumer perception through form and structure.
As I continue to explore the many paths within graphic design, I’ve found myself most drawn to two particular areas: branding and freelance music design. Branding, with its focus on creating a cohesive visual identity, allows for deep, strategic thinking and the opportunity to build something that resonates emotionally with audiences. I love the idea of helping a business or individual express their core values and personality through design, from the logo to colour schemes and typography.
Freelance music design is another direction that excites me. Album artwork, gig posters, and merchandise design all offer an outlet for more expressive, sometimes experimental visuals. There’s something powerful about translating the tone and energy of music into a visual format, and I’d love to collaborate with independent artists to bring their sound to life through design.
While I’m still early in my journey, these two areas feel most aligned with my interests and creative strengths. I’m excited to keep exploring, refining my skills, and ultimately carve a path in one, or both, of these fields.
Clever ghostIn this entry, I want to highlight a local company that has been a strong source of inspiration for my design work, Clever Ghost, a Belfast-based brand and design studio. Their thoughtful, strategic approach to branding has greatly influenced my understanding of how design can shape identity and perception.
During our second university project of the year, we were tasked with creating a complete brand identity, including a logo, storefront signage, menu cards, and advertising materials. It was through this process that I found myself turning to Clever Ghost’s portfolio for guidance and inspiration. Their work demonstrated how cohesive branding could be both aesthetically engaging and conceptually strong. It was also during this project that I discovered a real passion for branding design, and I began to consider it as a potential area of focus in my future career.
One particular project by Clever Ghost that resonated with me was their branding for Hair by Connor. I was especially drawn to their creative use of typography, which managed to strike a perfect balance between playful energy and professional clarity. This approach challenged me to think more critically about how typography can carry a brand’s personality and inspired me to experiment more boldly in my own work, particularly within the branding brief.
Clever Ghost’s ability to blend creativity with strategy continues to motivate me as I refine my own design practice and explore the possibilities of a career in branding.
mammoth
As a graphic design student in Belfast, I’m always on the lookout for local agencies that push creative boundaries and set the bar for innovative branding. One agency that consistently stands out is Mammoth—a brand consultancy and creative transformation agency based right here in the city.
What makes Mammoth so inspiring is their holistic approach to branding. They don’t just design logos or visuals; they dive deep into a company’s purpose, culture, and strategy to craft identities that are both meaningful and scalable. Their work spans sectors—from education and sustainability to healthcare and sports—and includes high-profile clients like the University of Birmingham, RES, and BetMGM.
As someone studying design, I’m particularly drawn to how Mammoth blends strategy with storytelling. Their process—capturing ambition, establishing growth pathways, and visualizing the future—demonstrates how design can be a catalyst for transformation. It’s a reminder that great design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating experiences that resonate and drive momentum.
It’s also exciting to see Mammoth’s engagement with the local creative community. They’ve collaborated with students from the Belfast School of Art, sharing insights and fostering emerging talent. For students like me, this kind of industry connection is invaluable—it bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world application.
Mammoth exemplifies the kind of agency I aspire to work with: one that values purpose-driven design, embraces collaboration, and makes a tangible impact across industries. Their presence in Belfast is a testament to the city’s growing reputation as a hub for creative excellence.
Album ArtworkAs I begin to shape my personal brand and carve out my identity within the graphic design community, I’ve realised how important it is to reflect on the influences that have guided me here. Design isn’t just something I stumbled into—it’s something I’ve grown with, something that’s intertwined with my passions and experiences. So, I thought it would be meaningful to document some of those roots, starting with the reason I fell in love with design in the first place: album artwork.
From a young age, I’ve always had a deep fascination with both music and visual art. There was something magical about the way they complemented each other—how sound could be captured in imagery, and how artwork could give a glimpse into the soul of an album. I vividly remember the first CD I ever bought: Fearless by Taylor Swift. I must’ve listened to it hundreds of times, but what really stuck with me was the beautifully crafted lyric booklet. I’d sit there flipping through the pages while the songs played, completely absorbed in the experience. It wasn’t just music, and it wasn’t just design—it was a full sensory story.
That early spark turned into a habit. I started collecting albums in both vinyl and CD form, not just for the music, but for the physical artwork. Each cover, each insert, felt like a piece of someone’s creative world, and I loved being able to hold that in my hands. Over the years, certain album designs have left a lasting impression on me. A few standouts include Ashlyn by Ashe, You Signed Up For This by Maisie Peters, and the iconic Dookie by Green Day. These covers didn’t just frame the music—they expanded it, added depth, and told a story of their own.
As I continue growing as a designer, I carry that early love for album artwork with me. It reminds me that design is more than aesthetics—it’s about emotion, connection, and storytelling. And in many ways, it’s where my creative journey truly began.
