Where we started
The Agatha Christie Festival has long celebrated the life and work of the Queen of Crime. However, despite its importance to the local community and Christie fans worldwide, the festival needed a fresh and modern look to appeal to a broader audience while staying true to its historical roots. In 2019, the festival organisers approached Frankman Design and Marketing with a request to help them create a visual identity that would honour Agatha Christie’s legacy while revitalising the event’s appeal.
The brief
The initial brief in 2019 was to design a logo that encapsulated the essence of Agatha Christie’s work while integrating her iconic signature. The challenge was to create a design that was both timeless and modern, resonating with long-time fans and attracting a younger audience. Following the success of the logo, the festival returned to us in 2022 with an even more ambitious brief: to design a detailed map and leaflet for the Agatha Christie Mile, a centenary project highlighting key locations in Torquay that were significant in Christie’s life and work. Additionally, we were tasked with creating a modernised illustration of Christie herself to grace the front cover of the promotional materials.
The outcome
Our collaboration with The Agatha Christie Festival has been a resounding success. The logo we designed has become a staple of the festival’s branding, striking the perfect balance between tradition and contemporary style.
The Agatha Christie Mile leaflet and map, which we designed to blend historical significance with a modern aesthetic, has been warmly received by both locals and tourists. It serves not only as a guide to important sites but also as an engaging piece of storytelling, connecting visitors with Torquay’s rich literary history.
The modernised illustration of Agatha Christie, derived from a black-and-white photograph, has been a particular highlight. The colourful, updated image has helped the festival reach a younger demographic while preserving the dignity and legacy of Christie’s image. Due to the positive reception, we have continued to provide creative marketing material for the festival, with further illustrations being produced in 2023 and 2024.
As the festival continues to draw fans from around the world, we are proud to see our work play a role in celebrating the life of one of Torquay’s most cherished figures, helping to keep Agatha Christie’s legacy alive for future generations.
