Challenge
In 2024, Airbourne, Eastbourne’s International Airshow, reached an incredible milestone and celebrated its 30th anniversary. As one of the largest free events in the southeast of England, this award-winning airshow, recently voted the UK’s best free airshow, has grown to become a staple summer event for both families and aviation enthusiasts.
This year, PRG was tasked with designing and producing the special 30th-anniversary souvenir programme that would not only commemorate this significant milestone but also serve as a vital source of income to sustain the free event.
The programme needed to be more than just a guide. It had to encapsulate the essence of three decades of thrilling displays, community spirit, and Airbourne’s legacy. Additionally, the programme had to integrate seamlessly with the event’s ongoing evolution while staying true to its rich heritage.
In addition to the programme, PRG also needed to create daily flight times leaflets that could be easily updated and distributed throughout the event, ensuring attendees had the most accurate and up-to-date information at their fingertips.
Solution
With a longstanding relationship with Airbourne, having produced artwork for the airshow intermittently since 2003 (as well as being avid supporters), PRG was well-positioned to undertake this significant project.
Designing the 30th-anniversary programme
The first step in PRG’s creative process was the development of a bespoke ‘30 Years Anniversary’ logo. This logo was created by incorporating the roundel from the original Airbourne logo, symbolising the event’s rich heritage, while modern design elements were added to reflect its current status as a premier airshow. The result was a logo that beautifully balanced nostalgia with a fresh, contemporary look.
The main 64-page programme design was where PRG truly brought the event’s history to life. PRG decided to revisit the classic blue and red colour scheme of the original Airbourne logo, a nod to the event’s origins, while introducing bold, dynamic design elements inspired by wing shapes and aircraft markings. These design motifs were consistently carried throughout the programme, creating a cohesive and visually engaging publication.
To commemorate the 30th anniversary, PRG incorporated a special four-page feature that explored the history of Airbourne, highlighting its successes, memorable moments, and the behind-the-scenes efforts that have kept the event running smoothly for three decades. This section also included testimonials and quotes from some of the regular display teams, celebrating their long-standing relationship with the airshow and reflecting on its evolution over the years.
The programme also featured updated display page specifications with new icons that complemented the refreshed design. High-resolution images of aircraft, supplied by the display teams, were strategically placed to enhance the visual appeal of the programme, making it not only a guide but also a collector’s item.
Beyond the programme
In addition to the main programme, PRG designed and produced several supporting materials to enhance the overall event experience. Posters were displayed around the town in the lead-up to and during the airshow, ensuring maximum visibility and anticipation, while daily flight times leaflets were another important aspect. These were designed to be easily updated each day of the event, with print-ready artwork completed within tight deadlines to ensure attendees had the most current information.
PRG also produced a donation leaflet which encouraged visitors to contribute to the ongoing success of this free event. The leaflet design was cohesive with the overall branding, reinforcing the message of community support and the importance of sustaining the event for future generations.
Result
The commemorative 30th-anniversary edition was a huge success and something PRG is very proud of. It attracted praise for its vibrant design, rich content, and thoughtful balance of history and modernity. The updated design elements, including the new icons and wing-inspired motifs, were particularly well-received, adding a fresh yet familiar feel to the publication. The programme became a must-have souvenir for visitors to the airshow this year.
As Airbourne continues to soar, PRG was delighted to play a part in marking this special milestone and looks forward to contributing to the airshow’s future success.
“Wow – we were so impressed with PRG’s contribution to this year’s Eastbourne International Airshow. The team provided a first-class service throughout, really helping our 30th anniversary celebrations to take flight and making it an airshow to remember. PRG went above and beyond our expectations, undoubtedly having a positive impact upon the visitor experience for the thousands of airshow fans, crews and hospitality guests - all of whom were able to benefit from picking up the overnight printed daily flying schedules each morning, along with the glossy 64-page souvenir programme, posters, adverts and more. It was a pleasure to work with Simon, Matt and the team – we can’t wait to fly high with PRG once again!”
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