An Isle of Wight graphic designer who has spent the past decade creating merchandise and tour posters for indie bands including The Charlatans and RIDE has launched a new collection of vintage-inspired artwork celebrating the Island’s best-known towns, landmarks and landscapes.
Ian J Read has unveiled Wight Lines, a colourful collection of prints and greeting cards inspired by classic British railway and travel posters from the 1950s.
Featuring bold colours, clean lines and nostalgic styling, the illustrations offer a different perspective on familiar Isle of Wight locations, including Freshwater Bay, Osborne House, Cowes, Newport and Yarmouth.
Each design begins with Ian’s own photography, which he then transforms into a distinctive illustration inspired by the simplicity and character of traditional travel advertising.
With more than 30 years of experience in graphic design, Ian has spent the past 10 years producing merchandise and tour posters for well-known indie bands, including The Charlatans and RIDE.
However, his latest project sees him turning his creative attention to the Isle of Wight and the places that make it special.
Ian J Read has said:
“Wight Lines is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I’ve always loved the old British railway and travel posters, particularly their colours and simplicity.
“I picked up a few postcards while visiting Lyme Regis and really liked the style, which got me thinking about doing something similar for the Isle of Wight. We’ve got so many great places here, it seemed like the perfect place to start.”
The collection includes A4 and A3 art prints, alongside greetings cards and Christmas cards, with designs featuring locations from across the Island.
Ian hopes the artwork will appeal not only to tourists looking for a souvenir of their visit, but also to Islanders who have personal connections to the places depicted.
He added:
“I’d love the prints to appeal to Islanders as much as visitors. Whether it’s a favourite beach, somewhere you grew up or a place that holds a special memory, there’s something lovely about having a little reminder of it on your wall.”
The launch marks the beginning of the Wight Lines project, with Ian already working on additional illustrations and planning to expand the collection to feature more Isle of Wight locations.
The full range of Wight Lines prints and cards is available at www.wightlines.com.
