We are so excited to introduce 2024’s winning entrants for our annual UAL x Tate Christmas card collection. It’s our sixth year running the competition, and once again we are honoured to work with Tate to produce this festive opportunity for our students.
This year, we have six designs to showcase, each baring a unique and distinctive style representing its artist. From the more traditional, to ones with a touch of humour, our array of cards will be sure to appeal to a variety of seasonal celebrants.
We chatted with the UAL students and graduates whose designs won the festive card competition earlier this year. Read below to learn more about their inspirations and thoughts on the festive season.
Justine Brandt: ‘I wonder what it is’
What was the inspiration behind your Christmas Card design?
For the ‘I wonder what it is’ design I was inspired by videos on the internet, where the gift giver wraps the Christmas gift to look like a completely different item, e.g. an iPhone wrapped to look like a dining room chair.
Who will you be sending a Christmas card to?
I will definitely be sending them to my friends who now live in different cities, since graduating from Central Saint Martins. As well as to my grandparents who live in Germany.
What is your favourite thing about the holiday season?
One of my favourite things is the atmosphere around the shops, with Christmas music playing, special edition snacks and the winter weather all adding to the atmosphere.
Niki Usagi: The Five Senses of Christmas
- What was the inspiration behind your Christmas Card design?
I think winter, and especially the Christmas period, has a very strong effect on our senses: the inescapable smell of mulled wine with its sweet, citrusy taste; the quiet sounds, like cracking a walnut or walking in crisp snow; the sudden urge to light a candle in the evening, or the touch of the pine needles. I wanted to create a card which immediately tickles your senses and brings a peaceful state of mind.
Do you have any special Christmas traditions?
I love to listen to The Nutcracker Suite by Duke Ellington while I’m wrapping presents. It gets me in the perfect Christmas mood.
Which camp are you in: traditional or alternative Christmas decorations?
Our tree topper is a felted bust of Iggy Pop surrounded by robins and golden pears…I guess some people just want it all!
Tharini Seenivasan: Festive Fir
What was the inspiration behind your Christmas Card design?
I drew inspiration from the idea of fluidity like how the spirit of the holiday season flows through our lives in so many beautiful ways. I aimed to create a sense of movement that reflects the warmth and joy of Christmas, capturing that feeling of love and togetherness that makes this time so special.
Do you have any special Christmas traditions?
A big tradition for us is going to the church and then gathering with our extended family for a nice lunch. It’s a day filled with laughter and memories.
Who will you be sending a Christmas card to?
Since I’ll be spending Christmas away from my family this year, I’ll be sending cards to them as well as to my friends. Just a little something to let them know I’m thinking of them!
Melek Kayrakla: Dive the vibe
What was the inspiration behind your Christmas Card design?
During Christmas, many advertisements highlight happy family gatherings. However, it’s important to recognize that some are missing their families during this period, and we should be sensitive to this. Christmas can be joyful with anyone you are with, and everyone has at least one friend. With my design, I aim to ensure that everyone feels included.
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What is your favourite thing about the holiday season?
My relatives and I all have busy schedules with work and study, making it difficult to spend time together. The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to catch up, as no one has to worry about their daily routines. The only concern becomes what to have for dinner!
Where will you be spending Christmas?
Although I’m from Turkey and we don’t celebrate Christmas, I appreciate the meaningful and historical traditions associated with it. Since moving to the UK, my European friends have been inviting me over for dinner, allowing me to engage more with the culture each year. This year, I’m planning to invite my friends for dinner.
Jason Saffer: 12 days of Oh Yesmas!
What was the inspiration behind your Christmas Card design?
I was inspired by isometric block character aesthetic you see in certain toys and video games. I made it isometric because it is simple and easy to understand. Accessibility is a big part of my practice, and I wanted it to appeal to a lot of people.
Which camp are you in: traditional or alternative Christmas decorations?
I like traditional. As a digital artist, I appreciate new ideas and methods. However, it’s nice to have the same vibes every Christmas. London does such a great job getting into the classic Christmas spirit.
Who will you be sending a Christmas card to?
I’ll be giving one to each of my closest friends this Christmas because my family already ordered a bunch of mine from the Tate website. They are very supportive.
Amandine Mondion: Season’s Greetings in Colour
What was the inspiration behind your Christmas Card design?
The inspiration for my Christmas Card design came from my time living in London. During the holiday season, a magical atmosphere appears in the city, making it even more beautiful with the festive lights and decorations. People seem to have a special spark in their eyes, embodying the joy and excitement of the season. I wanted to capture that unique atmosphere and the happiness among people through the vibrant colours and details in my design.
What is your favourite thing about the holiday season?
My favourite thing about the holiday season is the atmosphere. People take the time to slow down, come together, and see their friends and families to create cherished memories. It’s a moment when the hustle of everyday life pauses, allowing everyone to reconnect and share the joy of the season.
Which camp are you in: traditional or alternative Christmas decorations?
Alternative, definitely! I’m the kind of person who puts a T-rex dressed as an astronaut skiing as a Christmas ornament on my tree. If it’s quirky and unexpected, it’s going on my tree!
