Brand Communication

Royal Mail – Christmas Stamps

Putting a colourful contemporary twist on the Christmas story.

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If there’s a design project guaranteed to be seen, used and enjoyed by millions, it’s this one. A designers dream, we made the most of this one-in-an-agency’s-lifetime opportunity.

Sector

Arts & Culture

What we did

Discovery & Definition

  • Consultation

Design Development

  • Creative concepts
  • Brand expression
  • Print design
  • Art direction

Delivery

  • Artwork
six brightly coloured stamps featuring illustrated nativity scenes on a purple background

Context

Among Royal Mail’s special issues, their Christmas stamps are the most recognised, treasured and celebrated of the year. Over 17 billion Royal Mail Christmas stamps have been printed since the first set was issued in 1966. These festive sets are hotly anticipated and sought after by collectors worldwide. Having collaborated with Royal Mail on a number of special issue stamps, we were honoured to be invited to conceive and design a set of six commemorative stamps to tell the classic Nativity tale this year.

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six stamps featuring brightly coloured nativity illustrations on a blue background

Catharine Brandy Design Manager Royal Mail
It was an absolute pleasure working with Baxter & Bailey and illustrator Katie Ponder on these lovely Christmas stamps and products. The team at Baxter & Bailey and Katie both shone with creativity and professionalism all the way through from concept to completion.
a stamp featuring a brightly coloured illustrated nativity scene on a purple background
a stamp featuring a brightly coloured illustrated nativity scene on a purple background
a stamp featuring a brightly coloured illustrated nativity scene on a purple background
a stamp featuring a brightly coloured illustrated nativity scene on a purple background
a stamp featuring a brightly coloured illustrated nativity scene on a purple background
a stamp featuring a brightly coloured illustrated nativity scene on a purple background
Katie Ponder Illustrator
This project was a unique experience for me. I learnt so much during the process and I’m incredibly proud of the result. It was a real pleasure working in collaboration with the teams at Baxter & Bailey and Royal Mail and I’m so grateful for their direction and vision for the stamps.
six stamps featuring brightly coloured nativity illustrations on a purple background

two brightly coloured a4 press packs with nativity themed illustrations presented side by side on a purple background

Solution

Working in collaboration with talented illustrator Katie Ponder – whose unique, cleanly graphic style is a combination of modern and historical influences – we designed a set of colourful miniature scenes that portray the story of the Nativity. Our involvement also saw us working on a set of philatelic products including Hand Stamps, the Presentation Pack and the all-important First Day Cover.

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Brightly coloured hand-drawn envelopes with illustrated Christmas themed stamps

Impact

The stamps, products and collectibles we designed acted as extended canvasses for Katie Ponder’s unique, warm and radiant illustrative style. And, as is almost always the case with our Royal Mail collaborations, the work drew international interest in the press, online and on television. From concept to (special) delivery, a graphically glorious project.

Awards

The Drum Roses Awards Bronze 2023

Special Thanks

Huge thanks to Catharine and the Royal Mail design team for inviting us to design such a much-loved and significant stamp issue – one for the design bucket list! Thanks also to the wonderfully talented illustrator Katie Ponder, who matched our excitement and enthusiasm at every stage of the project.

Collaborators

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