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Press Release: A bear on the bed, an alligator in the tub and a tiger on a two-seater: Stockton’s shop safely campaign
 

‘Graphic artist duo have partnered to create striking and unusual social distancing posters

1200 px silver street window vinyl.jpg

Artists Abby Taylor and Owen Smith have formed a new partnership Abby+Owen to collaborate on social distancing posters.

Commissioned by Stockton BID manager Jason Maxwell in May, the duo created signage for the town with around 210 posters currently on display in independent shops, the Castlegate Shopping Centre as well as on the high street.

Stockton BID wanted a safe way to re-open their shops and the posters certainly fit the fun and quirky brief.

Abby Taylor and Owen Smith have designed signage for Stockton advising on social distancing and safe shopping

Abby Taylor and Owen Smith have designed signage for Stockton advising on social distancing and safe shopping

“We realised signage is very corporate so we wanted to make something really accessible, especially for children.

“We wanted to show the danger but without scaring them”, says Abby.

Collaborating on and off for 10 years, Abby and Owen are used to bouncing ideas off each other and within nine days the posters were ready for distribution from June 1.

“With people spending more time at home, house objects seemed the perfect thing to use”, says Abby, and they set a clear image of the 2m distance.

Abby Taylor and Owen Smith of new partnership Abby+Owen

Abby Taylor and Owen Smith of new partnership Abby+Owen

With Stockton as her hometown, proud Abby added: “It’s a historic moment to be part of”.’

- By Anna Twizell for Teesside Live