Stamping Culture

Date 09/18/2024

The Brief 

Design a series of collectible postage stamps for Canada Post that celebrate Canada’s culture and for this project I decided to go with symbols of good fortune from around the world. The goal was to express both cultural richness and positive symbolism in a playful, vibrant, and unified way.

Team Members 

Myself (Graphic Designer & Illustrator)

 My Responsibilities as a (Graphic Designer & Illustrator ) :

Concept development

Cultural research

Illustration

Color theory application

Layout and presentation

 Tools: 

Adobe Illustrator

Procreate 

Timeline: 

2 weeks 

Research & Cultural Insight

Canada prides itself on its cultural diversity. I selected four iconic symbols that represent good luck or fortune from different cultures present in Canadian society:

Japan: Maneki Neko (Lucky Cat)

China: Jin Chan (Money Frog)

Thailand & India: Decorated Elephant

Sweden: Dala Horse

Each symbol was researched for its meaning and cultural importance, ensuring accurate representation.

Design Approach

Used organic, minimal line art to give the illustrations a contemporary and playful feel

Created overlapping bold color shapes behind the icons to unify the series and highlight energy/luck

Applied a soft pastel border to frame each stamp while keeping focus on the central icon

Paired each country’s name with a modern sans serif and serif pairing for a sense of clarity and elegance

Consistent “CANADA” branding was added to root the series in its national identity

Color Symbolism

Each stamp uses culturally meaningful and vibrant colors:

Red & Gold (Maneki Neko & Jin Chan): wealth and good fortune

Orange & Grey (Elephant): prosperity and strength

Blue, Green & Red (Dala Horse): peace, vitality, and happiness

Final Outcome

A visually cohesive and culturally respectful stamp series that celebrates Canadian multiculturalism. Each stamp balances clarity and whimsy while honoring the traditions behind these beloved lucky charms.