Challenge

Close Brothers Private Equity required an exclusive invitation for their prestigious annual cocktail party held at the National Portrait Gallery. The exhibition was showing the celebrated photographer Sir Cecil Beaton. As well as providing essential event information, CBPE wanted to produce an invitation that not only reflected the exclusive nature of the event, but captured the essence of the exhibition. The invitation was to have intrinsic value as an aesthetic piece as well be kept as a memento.

Solution

It was essential that the design acted in a support role to the photography. With the use of icons (designed to reflect the theme), the use of 'layering' with transparent film and the die-cut aperture, the invitation combines and reflects the theme. From the cover, it puts the recipient in place of the photographer. The materials, colour themes and typography are designed to work in harmony with the portraits.

The event was a huge success. It was over subscribed and CBPE received many plaudits from both clients and organisers based on the quality of the invitation.

Creative use of materials and format