Neringa Dastoor (b.1978, Lithuania) is a 2D graphic designer based in UK, after living and working in Lithuania, South Africa and New York USA.
Upon reflection of the last dynamic decade, besides the main chunk of work being concept stage design development for permanent museums while part of International team, other projects required further multi-skill set. From short-film, interactive experience, innovative research start-up brand identities to one off or large number publication runs.
Led by ingrained curiosity into the intrinsic craft within and across each of the disciplines – visual, spacial, scientific, social or any other – and how fresh, new and powerful individual communication pathways formulate, revealing exciting values for our new budding generation minds!
KEY EXPERIENCE
- Last project – lead 2D graphic designer concept stage, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.
- Worked with scientists, architects, curators, writers, type designers, 3D & content team.
- Took part and presented in virtual internal and client faced meetings and workshops.
- Familiar with setting type in English, Russian and Arabic (Lithuanian being mother tongue).
- Background in Art Direction with concept development for specific audiences.
EDUCATION
MA, Visual Communication, 2011–2013, Royal College of Art, London
BA (1st), Graphic Arts, 2007–2011, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool
Diploma, Art Direction In Visual Communication, Advertising, 2001–2004, AAA School
of Advertising, Johannesburg, South Africa
Diploma, Applied Design, 1996–1999, Kaunas College of Art, Kaunas, Lithuania
WORK HISTORY
2021, 2018, 2012–2015 Freelance full-time, Ralph Applebaum Associates (RAA) London & New York International teams
2021 – 2D Lead graphic designer for Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. Reporting to project manager, director and lead curator, two main responsibilities focused on 2D design assets for galleries and the internal project ‘literature’ design:
- Worked as part of dynamic International team from the initial 25% to 100% of the project’s concept stage with client presentations every two weeks.
Conceptualised and proposed design for all 2D elements throughout all galleries covering typography, colour scheme, multiple label layouts, relevant physical materials, approach to photography, illustration and infographics, visualisations of interactive and video elements for interior & exterior.
Individually liaised with Mecanoo architects while developing unique visual identity
for the museum galleries making sure that the internal typography and the typography of the way-finding of the building are distinct yet work in harmony in terms of style and materials.
Specifically addressed materials for any graphic elements in terms of their function, durability, relevance to the narrative, engagement, accessibility and safety for all spaces, particularly for the workshop spaces for intended public groups&children.
Initiated research with Typoteque, compiled a proposal for custom made typeface.
Compiled digital presentations and different project stage printed reports for clients and internal company use consisting of architectural plans, lighting proposals, diagrams, reference images, 3D visualisations and so on.
2012-2015 & 2018 while with RAA, other work included the following:
- Shindagha Cultural Museums: 2D graphic assets in Arabic&English with 3D team.
London Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Regeneration: concept publication layout.
Travelling Bycicle Exhibition: visual identity & 2D asset design for 50 1500 x 3000mm display panels in Russian & English.
Carlsberg Museum: conceptualising and producing relevant visual strategies, sketching, resourcing images for presentations and publications.
Boris Yeltsin Presidential Cultural Centre: concept for visual identity design.
IKEA Permanent Exhibition: publication design showcasing project development, visualizing typography, infographics, diagrams in line with brand guidelines.
2011–2015, Freelance graphic design for a mix of cultural and public sector organisations: Helen Hamlyn Centre for Research, V&A / RCA History of Design Course (RCA), Skene Catling de la Peña Architects, Chelsea Fringe Festival, Wandsworth Council, Gina Czarnecki, Royal College of Art, Curating Contemporary Art (RCA), Knyttan (UNMADE) and others
While directly reporting directly to clients:
- Designed printed books, exhibition catalogues, public event programmes.
Developed visual identity and produced relevant marketing material.
Customised typographic headlines.
Selected or designed sustainable material display stands and considered the nature of the building, i.e. the historical space of the Parliament’s Upper Gallery in Westminster.
OTHER PAST EXPERIENCE
TEACHING
2013–2017, Part-time Lecturer BA level, School of Communications, Arts & Social Sciences, Richmond, the American International University in London, UK
2013–2014, Part-time Lecturer BA level, School of Fashion Communication,
Liverpool John Moores University, UK
Both posts above included teaching BA students visual communication theory and practice with focus on publication layout, identity design, typography, drawing, narrative, mark-making and software skills, mainly Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign. Fully involved in planning and managing the course structure, presenting lectures, running hands-on workshops, leading one-to-one tutorials, overseeing peer-led group crits, arranging visiting guests and marking.
WORKSHOP LEADER
2016, On Visual Communication, guest talk & workshop, Richmond, The American International Uty, Rome
2014, Type as Image, with young teens in response to Artist Shinko Ohtake's work, Parasol Unit Gallery, London
2014, Identity: Objects & Space, with BA Communication Design students, in collaboration with guest Anna Nazo, Richmond, The American International Uty
2014, Experimental Typography: A to Z. BA Fashion Communication students, Liverpool John Moores University
2011, Type & Object, with BA Graphic Design students, University for Creative Arts, Epsom, London
2010, Screen Print Your Movie Poster, with public all ages, in collaboration with artist Sam Meech
2010, Hand-Stories, with local Liverpool communities, in collaboration with artist Neil Winterburn
2009/2010, Narrative in Stop-Motion Animation, with teenagers, Liverpool John Moores University
2009, Collecting Memories with Liverpool local communities, in collaboration with an art organisation ReDock, Liverpool
RECOGNITION
2016, BBC Worldwide London HQ, Creative Challenge Winner, video category
2013, Selected to exhibit at Sustain RCA
2013, Selected to exhibit at Tate Modern, part of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Award ceremony
2011, Best of Graphic Design Graduates
2004, Finalist, Loerie Art Direction Awards in Advertising, student category
2004, Top Creative Student, AAA School of Advertising, Johannesburg, SA
INTERNSHIPS
Art Director, Saatchi&Saatchi, Johannesburg, SA (2 months), 2004
Art Director, Publicis, Johannesburg, SA, (5months) 2004/5
Graphic Designer, Smiling Wolf
Assistant Editor, Unit Editions, with the amazing Adrian Shaughnessy one of the Directors, working on Supergraphics book which sold out!..
COMMUNITY
Member of British Wheel of Yoga, trained as 200hr Yoga Teacher, 2021
Fellow of Higher Education Academy, 2015
Royal College of Art Alumna, 2013