Celebrating the Life and Work of Mary Seacole

Project Brief: I was tasked with designing the packaging and campaign assets for the Mary Seacole coin range. Mary, once overlooked, received recognition in 1990 with the Jamaican Order of Merit and was later voted the greatest Briton in 2004. Known for her work as a nurse during the Crimean War, she is now celebrated as both an icon of Black history and a feminist figure.

Rationale: Given the long journey to recognize Mary Seacole’s achievements, I wanted the design to reflect her legacy. Known for using herbal remedies, I collaborated with the Mary Seacole Trust to incorporate the ingredients she used into the design. To honor her work and empowerment, I chose botanical illustrations, which not only represent the healing plants she used but also align with the 18th-century period of her life.