DesignJane

Good news, the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana has been doing some hard yards and digitising its manuscripts since about 2010. Now, just under 31,000 codices are available for free, and even better—you also don’t need to register. You can find them at digi.vatlib.it

Great for inspiration to kickstart projects. I'm finding the typography especially useful for some digital stained glass projects I have on the go...

Thanks, Vatican Library! digi.vatlib.it

Public Work ( https://public.work ), an interactive search engine for 100,000+ public domain works. It has heaps of free resources such as prints, scans, images from various sources such as The MET, New York Public Library, and others. All historical creative work that is no longer protected by copyright, and can be freely used, modified and distributed.

Websites like this can be used as a way to kick-start a project, get the creative juices flowing, and I have found throughout the years that this is where wonderful surprises arise!

It can also be a place to learn about different styles, challenge yourself, or send something you find to a friend. I love going to websites like this and soaking them up. There is sooooo much beauty to discover. Now, and throughout history…

Happy feast day to St Mary MacKillop for this Saturday the 8th of August! A truly remarkable woman who continues to inspire and connect...

I have created a number of artworks related to St Mary of the the years. And I am wondering… if I were to create a new digital stained glass artwork of MMK, I would really really love to hear what you reckon:

1. What is it that people need to see in the life of MMK at the moment & into the future?

2. What aspects of MMK’s life can give them comfort? And help people to feel visible / seen / comforted?

Also, if you’re looking for some free colouring in or slides as resources you can find some here: https://www.designjane.com/free-downloads

St Mary of the Cross, pray with us…

Recently, I was asked to create a piece of artwork for a very special human. This beautiful human is about to leave Aotearoa New Zealand and move to another country.

The whakataukī (a traditional Māori proverb, saying) is incorporated into the artwork as part of the story that this image tells: "E kore au e ngaro, he kākano ahau i ruia mai Rangiātea"(I can never be lost, I am a seed sown from Rangiātea — I have a reason for being).

This speaks to the heart of belonging. No matter how far you travel or where you land up, your/our ancestors are always united. A human is always unfolding, as the fiddlehead is unfolding…

The image was sketched by hand digitally, then layers and texture were added in Photoshop, printed on cotton rag paper stock, extra shading was sketched in pencil, then spray-coated with a sealant.

Additionally, see the images for more explanation of the whakataukī (also thanks to a friend for gifting me the book).

It is always a privilege to create for others; I pray that she continues to flourish on her journey!

More Than a Logo: Refreshing the St Mark's School Shield

A school crest often becomes one of the most recognisable symbols of a school community. Students wear it with pride. Families identify with it. Alumni remember it for years after they've left.

Design becomes much more meaningful when it tells a story.

As part of my recent project with St Mark's Catholic School , I had the opportunity to refresh their school shield while carefully preserving its history and meaning.
The goal wasn't to create something completely new. It was to refine the artwork, improve consistency and ensure the shield works beautifully with the new house artwork across signage, uniforms, publications and digital platforms. All while honouring the symbolism that already meant so much to the school community.

You can explore the complete project, including the refreshed shield and the four house illustrations, here:
https://www.designjane.com/post/house-artwork-smcsp

If your school is considering a logo refresh, new house identities or custom artwork, I'd love to help bring your vision to life…
~ Jane
https://www.designjane.com/contact

Spotlight: School House Artwork - Nazareth

Sometimes I reckon the most important stories happen in the ordinary moments. Nazareth is a biblical place that certainly can remind us of this.

When creating this artwork as part of a larger project for St Mark's Catholic School—and for all school projects—I try to design pieces that invite students to pause, look a little closer and ask questions. Every symbol has meaning, and every detail contributes to the larger story.

It's incredibly rewarding to know that these illustrations will become part of students' everyday experience for many years to come.

You can see the complete project and read about the symbolism behind each artwork here:https://www.designjane.com/post/house-artwork-smcsp

If your school is exploring new house identities, artwork or branding, I'd be delighted to help.
~ Jane
https://www.designjane.com/contact

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> Nazareth:
Place of Christ’s Childhood (Matthew 13:55-56, Luke 2:39-52, Luke 4:14-30)
Tools, Scroll, Food

- Tools: Symbolising how Jesus would have learned the trade of carpentry or stonework from his earthly father, Joseph. He would have worked with his hands, come to understand the value of hard work, and service. Just as we are called to work hard and serve in our studies and work.

- Scroll: Jesus attended synagogue regularly in Nazareth and beyond. The place of Nazareth also symbolises going down from Jerusalem to a lower earthly place, not above us—Christ is with us then and now. Calling us to humility, listening, and trust in divine providence. Even when later rejected in the synagogue (Luke 4:14:30).

- Food: Symbolising food from Nazareth that would be part of his childhood. Nourishment through nature, fruit harvested, olive oil pressed with love and labour, wheat harvested, bread, broken and shared with all. Reminding us to find nourishment and share this with others.

Spotlight: School House Artwork - Jordan

The River Jordan is a place of beginnings. It's where Jesus was baptised, where lives were changed, and where people stepped into something new.

Those themes inspired the Jordan House illustration—recently created for St Mark's Catholic School.

Throughout this project, every illustration was designed to share a story while working together as a unified collection. Each piece includes carefully considered symbolism that reflects scripture, the school's Catholic identity, and values that students can relate to every day.

This is one of the reasons I enjoy working with schools so much. Great design isn't only about colour and composition—it's about helping communities express who they are and what they stand for.

If you're interested in seeing how all four house artworks fit together, you can read more here:
https://www.designjane.com/post/house-artwork-smcsp

I'd love to hear which illustration speaks to you the most too…
~ Jane
https://www.designjane.com/contact

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> Jordan:
Place of Christ’s Baptism (Matthew 3:13-17)
Dove, Shell, Water

- Dove: This symbolises the Holy Spirit—its loving presence at Jesus’ baptism, linked with scripture. Illustrating how the holy spirit’s divine, surprising, peaceful presence is also with us now.

- Shell: A traditional symbol of baptism. It has been used throughout history to pour baptismal waters. The shell symbol is also associated with St James and the Way… Baptism too is a ‘camino’, a journey, where we walk united.

- Water: Symbolises movement through baptism, washing over us, cleansing, uniting with Christ, nourishing, and growing in surprising new life.

The power of creativity to heal and connect - well worth a read 🥰

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DGMBJSjTS/

For some young people, success is getting a job or finishing school.

And for others, success is simply getting out of bed.

Spotlight: School House Artwork - Cana

One of the things I love most about creating artwork for schools is that every illustration begins with a conversation. At St Mark's Catholic School, each house artwork was inspired by scripture and designed to tell a story that students can connect with throughout their school years.

Rather than simply illustrating the biblical event, I wanted the artwork to invite curiosity and reveal transformation then and now. Every symbol has been thoughtfully chosen so students (and the whole community) can continue discovering new layers of meaning as we grow.

Projects like this reveal how good design isn't just about creating something attractive. It's about creating something that reflects the heart of a school and becomes part of its culture.

You can read more about the symbolism behind the artwork here:https://www.designjane.com/post/house-artwork-smcsp

If you're a principal, teacher or board member thinking about refreshing your school's visual identity, I'd love to chat about your ideas.

~ Jane
https://www.designjane.com/contact

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> Cana:
Place of Christ’s First Miracle (John 2:1-11)
Water Jars, Water and Wine, Rings

- Jars: Six stone water jars/jugs linking to scripture. Water jars were previously used for ritual cleansing and are linked to rigidity under the old law. As Jesus’ first miracle, this symbolises breaking away from rigidity and showing powerful divine transformation through the compassionate love of Christ.

- Water and Wine: The water symbolises the old law, while wine symbolises new life and joy. The movement in the illustrations links His first miracle alongside surprise, hope, and awe—nothing is impossible with a loving God, always moving in our lives.

- Rings: Linking the marriage in scripture, not only of the couple, but also unveiling the public unification of Jesus as united on earth and with heaven. This is eternal, far better than anything that came before, with divine love in abundance as ‘the best wine’.