Pair of Norwich art students design campaign for Samaritans
Joe Bamford and Gemma Bonner on a visit to Norwich Samaritans. Photo: Norwich Samaritans - Credit: Norwich Samaritans
Two Norwich art students produced an advertising campaign for charity Samaritans after one of the pair had her own battle with mental health.
Joe Bamford and Gemma Bonner's mocked up design for Norwich Samaritans. Photo: Norwich Samaritans - Credit: Norwich Samaritans
Joe Bamford and Gemma Bonner, who both study graphic communication at Norwich University of the Arts, were asked to produce a campaign for a cause they felt strongly about at the end of their first year.
It also had to be an issue they felt had not had the exposure or prominence it deserved.
With their brief in hand, they decided to create a campaign for Samaritans.
Mr Bamford said: 'Samaritans seemed a fitting focus point for our campaign to help those with mental health issues, the great work that Samaritans do meant that they were the perfect charity to help raise awareness of the issue, and that there is help available.'
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The project was also an opportunity for partner Mr Bamford to learn about mental health and the support available, as Miss Bonner had experienced some problems of her own in the past.
He said: 'As her boyfriend it was nice to do a range of research into what she's dealt with to try and understand, this has brought us closer together.'
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After three weeks to put their campaign together, and a huge design change in the final days, the couple presented a strong piece at their end of year exhibition. And Norwich Samaritans were due to give a wellbeing talk to students at the university.
After applying over the summer, the pair, both 19, will be joining Norwich Samaritans as fully-fledged volunteers. Alongside their busy second-year schedules, they will be raising awareness of Samaritans service and events – helping spread the word to Norwich, Norfolk, and beyond that it is good to talk.
To anyone thinking about supporting Samaritans Mr Bamford said: 'Just go for it, it's as simple as that. Help and support the amazing work they do, help thousands of people a year.'
To learn more about the work of Norwich Samaritans, or to volunteer visit samaritans.org/Norwich.
For more examples the pair's work, visit joebamforddesign.co.uk and gemmabonnerdesign.myportfolio.com
