Case Study: Hawk Conservancy
Event Artwork and Printed Merchandise
Project
Artwork Design for a Training Event at the Hawk Conservancy
Client & Brief
The Hawk Conservancy commissioned artwork to be used for a volunteer training event. The deliverables were:
-
Artwork for use on a projector screen during the training session
-
Artwork to be printed onto participant mugs as a memorable takeaway
In addition to creating the designs, I was also invited to the event to photograph the training day, capturing participants engaging with the content and celebrating the work of the organisation.
As a freelance marketing consultant and designer, I handled the project end‑to‑end, from concept to delivery, ensuring the artwork was suitable for both digital presentation and printed merchandise.
The Challenge
The design had to:
-
Be visually engaging on both digital (projector) and physical (mug) formats
-
Reflect the tone and purpose of the training event
-
Appeal to volunteers and serve as a meaningful keepsake
-
Work effectively within the constraints of print sublimation and event display
This required thoughtful balance between aesthetics, usability, and print quality, while ensuring the message and feel were right for the Hawk Conservancy’s volunteer audience.
Strategy
My freelance approach combined practical design considerations with audience‑led thinking:
-
Dual‑format design: Creating a visual that works just as well on a projector screen as it does on a printed mug
-
Event‑appropriate tone: Ensuring the artwork felt positive, professional, and meaningful for volunteers
-
Print preparation: Designing with print technicalities in mind (e.g., colour, bleed, material limits)
-
Brand sensitivity: Maintaining a look and feel appropriate to the Conservancy’s values and the purpose of the training event
By managing both strategy and execution personally, I ensured the final assets were cohesive and purposeful.
Execution
-
Artwork designed in Adobe Illustrator with scalability in mind
-
Prepared print‑ready files for sublimation on mugs
-
Delivered presentation graphic for projector use during the training
-
Attended the event to photograph the experience, adding real‑life context to the project documentation
Deliverables included:
-
Event artwork for projected display
-
Printed mug designs for event participants
-
Photographs from the training session
Outcome
The assets were successfully used at the Hawk Conservancy training event, both on screen and in printed form.
The printed mugs served as keepsakes for participants and continue to be used, a sign that the design resonated with the audience beyond the event itself.
The client shared positive feedback acknowledging the time and thought put into the artwork and the enjoyment participants had with the printed mugs.
"Thank you so much for the time you gave to our event last week. It was quite a marvel of planning and ingenuity from all parties. I hope you managed to have some fun along the way.
I wanted to let you know that your mugs are in constant use and we have passed on to those who were not able to attend. Such a lovely memento of the day."
Penny
Takeaways
-
Effective design should work across multiple formats and contexts
-
Freelance ownership of the whole process ensures consistency and quality
-
Thoughtful event collateral becomes part of the experience and memory for participants
Tools Used:
-
Adobe Illustrator - primary design and print preparation
-
Adobe Photoshop - to prepare the artwork for sublimation printing
Want design that works across formats and makes an impact long after your event? Let’s work together as your freelance marketing and design partner.