Paper. It’s a material that everyone, creative or not, has used. Drawing pictures in childhood, reading a book or signing an important document, it’s a medium deeply embedded in our daily lives. But nowhere else does its vast potential come to life better than in the creative sphere. The scrap of paper that saw the scrawl of that first idea, the thick textured paper that makes its way through a Risograph printer, the carefully selected sheets that comprise a new artist monograph; its uses are many and its effects – both visual and physical – are profound.

Few prove this more than GF Smith, one of the longest running and most respected creative paper suppliers and producers in the world. GF Smith has recently unveiled its new forward-facing rebrand, designed by the cause-led branding and communications agency Templo.

The branding also encompasses the new GF Smith Charitable Trust, which has been set up to support access to creative education and creative-industry careers for the community in both GF Smith’s home postcode of HU2, the city of Hull, and more widely across the UK. Aiming to break down barriers to opportunity and ensure that talent and potential are never limited by circumstance. The Charitable Trust formalises GF Smith’s long-standing support for aspiring creatives, building on its close relationships with providers of creative education around the country, and the GF Smith Employee Benefit Trust, which has existed since 1977.

At GF Smith Presents: New Dimensions, you’ll get the behind the scenes of GF Smith’s rebrand, as our global brand director Ben Watkinson and Templo’s founders Pali Palavathanan and Anoushka Rodda share the ins and outs of how they created a visual world that both looks to the future and harnesses the breadth of colour GF Smith has to offer, as well as hearing from some inspirational voices from the HU2 area who champion creativity and the importance of creative education.

Our speakers for the evening

WCCD (Working-Class Creatives Database)
A volunteer-led platform that highlights the work of working-class creatives in the UK. It was founded in 2020 to provide a platform for working-class creatives, to establish a strong community between working-class artists around the region and tackle classism within the arts by improving accessibility, engagement and opportunities.

Art is an important part of our society and provides an alternative way of communicating and expressing personal experiences and histories. It enhances connections and networks and provides a stronger sense of place, identity, and heritage. Our core values are ensuring working class creatives have equal access to the arts and its opportunities, not just those who can afford it.

Hinterland Creative
Stewart Baxter is a UK-based art director, photographer, and designer with a background in DIY music and a passion for visual storytelling. He collaborates with artists and record labels to create striking press imagery, album artwork, and creative release campaigns. With over two decades of experience in the music industry, he has also played a key role in developing Hull’s independent arts scene. Stewart is the drummer for LIFE, composes under Bombed Buildings, and is currently launching DØTE, a record label and art project focused on experimental music and collaboration.

TEMPLO
Templo is a cause-led branding agency with one specific mission sitting at the core of everything they do: “using the positive power of design for social change”. Founded by creative director Pali Palavathanan and managing director Anoushka Rodda, Templo has developed a tried and tested way of working – close collaboration and co-creation with its clients – resulting in work that’s authentic, attention-grabbing and impactful.

For more than a decade, it has partnered with the United Nations, Climate Change Committee, Free Syria’s Disappeared, Amnesty International, the V&A and British Council and now GF Smith, to tackle issues across climate change, human rights and community empowerment.