In 2023, creative paper company G . F Smith and sound design studio Father came together to create an extraordinary piece of music inspired by the magic of colour. The 55 colours of the Colorplan paper range have each been translated into a sound, and the resulting soundscape is used to create Portal, a 12" vinyl album exploring the music of colour.

In 2024, G . F Smith turned to the students of Manchester School of Art and challenged them to create a record sleeve for the work – to channel their own thoughts and feelings about colour and sound into a design that reflects on and responds to the composition – to create the art of the sound of colour.

Manchester School of Art was selected as the ideal collaborator for the project both because of the emphasis its Graphic Design course places on experimentation, imagination and independent thinking and because of Manchester's own rich historical relationship with the UK music scene.

The ten winning designs, each printed on a G . F Smith Colorplan sleeve, will be showcased at our exclusive Colorplan Vinyl launch event in Manchester ahead of Record Store Day on April 20th. The exhibition will show the journey of colour and sound throughout the project, which began with over 200 student submissions, with an exclusive documentary film screening covering the project from its launch to the final design production at Pressision in Leeds.

We would love for you to join us on Thursday, 18th April, for the exclusive launch event, celebrating the soundscape by Father and our collaboration with the next generation of creatives.

All attendees will be gifted a Colorplan Vinyl with one of the ten winning sleeve designs.

Spaces are limited - please reserve a ticket to confirm your attendance. We can't wait to see you there!

Our event will feature BSL interpretation in the evening.

Please note that the venue is wheelchair accessible. If you require assistance or would like to discuss access to the event beforehand, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Creative Producer Hannah by email on hjones@gfsmith.com, or by phone on 07773342872.

G . F Smith
Since 1885, G . F Smith has sought out the finest and most distinctive paper products and innovations from around the world. Collaborating with renowned brands, designers and creatives, the company has pushed the boundaries of the possible, inspiring a fearless new generation of creators and makers to explore their limitless potential.

gfsmith.com

Colorplan
Colours shape our lives. They are portals to a realm of shared emotions, personal memories and meanings, and the making of new perspectives. Colour represents an unfolding story of creative possibility. An attempt to tell that story, the Colorplan range remains one of G . F Smith’s most extraordinary achievements in paper making. Over the last 80 years, the range has evolved to encompass 55 colours.

Father
Father is a creative music and sound design studio, born out of the belief that sound and image should elevate and contextualise one another to amplify emotion, engagement and recall. Working with international brands and creatives, Father specialises in translating a collective vision into a tangible piece of music or sound design.

wearefather.com

Manchester School of Art
Manchester School of Art is an innovator of art and design education in the UK. Based in the vibrant and multicultural city of Manchester, it’s the second-oldest design school in Britain. The BA (Hons) Graphic Design course is hands-on and ideas-driven. Students are actively encouraged to develop intellectual curiosity and approach design in an unconventional manner using both print-based and digital solutions. Students are motivated to take risks and challenge boundaries, whilst considering context and the audience.

art.mmu.ac.uk

A journey through colour and sound