Olivia Vaughan About
Graphic Design
  ALRIGHT  Editorial, Identity
  SECOND SUMMER OF LOVE  Print
  PORTR.AI.TS Exhibition
  BEING A WOMAN ONLINE  Print
  14 YEARS  Exhibition
  SUGARCOATED  Editorial
  RISO RAVE  Animation


 

  














oliviavaughandesign@gmail.com
@0liviavaughan

SugarcoatedSugarcoated is a visual reinterpretation of the research essay The Visual Subculture of Ecstasy and How Ecstasy Pills Reflect Popular Culture Trends, which examines design trends in ecstasy and other recreational drugs. Aimed at audiences interested in rave history and design, the publication showcases collected imagery of ecstasy pill designs documented during research. The title Sugarcoated references the deceptive nature of these designs—pills are stamped with distinctive logos, colours, and motifs to imply branding or quality, despite their contents remaining unknown to users. This intersection of illicit marketing, pop culture borrowing, and secretive production creates a visually charged story—an ideal fit for a research-driven design publication.

The publication features an iridescent 310gsm cover with a holographic vinyl-cut title, bound with spine tape—its script typeface playfully echoing the ‘Sugarcoated’ theme. Packaged in a plastic bag mimicking ecstasy distribution, the design includes transparent paper printed with pill imagery as opener/closer pages, repeated on the contents spread and throughout as a recurring graphic motif. Chapters are visually distinct through varied design treatments, printed on 148gsm ultra-smooth magazine stock. A reflective-paper colophon tip-in at the back credits sources, tying into the publication’s shimmering materiality.