Client: Nationwide Building Society
Commissioned by: VCCP Creative Agency
Design & Illustration: Jitesh Patel
Location: United Kingdom
Category: Typographic Poster, Historical Illustration
Typographic Nationwide VCCP Creative Agency History Poster Gift
Overview
As part of a unique brand storytelling initiative, VCCP Creative Agency commissioned a bespoke illustrated poster for Nationwide. The brief was to visualise the rich historical narrative of a residential property, creating a meaningful gift that celebrated the deep personal connections people have with their homes.
Approach
During the development of a TV commercial campaign, VCCP worked closely with Nationwide to trace the roots of the building society’s early mortgage history. Their research led them to a historic property—Halesend House—whose stories were brought to life with the help of a professional historian.
To complement the campaign, I was commissioned to create a typographic black-and-white illustration that would weave together this rich historical content into a cohesive and visually engaging narrative. The poster would serve both as a promotional piece and a timeless memento.
Design Details
The illustration combines detailed hand-drawn typography with subtle architectural and narrative visuals. Key historical facts—such as notable former residents, wartime links, and landmark events—are embedded within the design using custom lettering and composition techniques that give the piece both structure and depth.
Historical highlights featured in the poster include:
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Colonel Samuel Herbert Enderby, Northumberland Fusiliers (early 20th century)
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Sir Bertine Sutton, a decorated WWII pilot
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Leonard Percy Lord, the automotive pioneer behind the Mini and Morris Minor
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The eventual evolution of the property into individual lots, including the Nicholas family’s purchase of Woods End Barn in 2015
Each typographic element was carefully chosen to reflect the tone and era of the events it depicted, bringing the timeline to life within a single, unified visual.
Outcome
The final poster served as a unique and personal gift—a visual chronicle of one home’s journey through history. It stood as a testament to the power of storytelling through design and highlighted Nationwide’s commitment to heritage, personal identity, and the emotional significance of homeownership.
This commission showcased the potential of illustration to bring brand narratives to life in a highly customised, emotive, and enduring way.
