Hatfield House
Musical time travel brochure design
The brief
Hatfield House Music Festival is an annual event held at the historic Hatfield House in Hertfordshire. Now in its 13th year, the festival celebrates a wide range of classical music performed in one of the UK’s most striking historic venues. The 2024 theme, Musical Time Travel, invited audiences to experience a journey through centuries of music, from the works of Dowland, once the composer in residence at Hatfield, to contemporary compositions. We have worked with Hatfield House since 2017.
For the 2024 festival, the brief was to design an 8-page closed gate-fold brochure that would act as both an informative guide and a keepsake for attendees. The design needed to reflect the theme Musical Time Travel while complementing the visual identity established in previous years. It also needed to balance the historic character of Hatfield House with a clear, modern layout that presented essential event information, including the programme schedule, booking details, and acknowledgements.
Our approach
From reflecting Hatfield House’s historic elegance to structuring the brochure for easy navigation, we focused on creating a guide that informs, excites, and immerses audiences in the festival experience. Hover over the flip tiles below to explore each step of our design process.
Visual design
We began with an existing design template, adapting it to incorporate new client-supplied text and imagery. The layout was adjusted to maintain consistency with previous festival materials while introducing subtle design refinements that reflected this year’s theme.
Content and navigation
Inside, the layout was structured for ease of use, ensuring readers could quickly access key details such as the event schedule, booking information, and visitor guidance. Supporting content, including acknowledgements of sponsors and contributors, was clearly presented to reinforce the collaborative nature of the festival.
Cover and imagery
The front cover features a photograph by Chris Christodoulou, showcasing the grandeur of the Marble Hall — the main performance venue. This image set the tone for the brochure, highlighting the connection between music, architecture, and history.
Print and production
The brochure was printed as an 8-page closed gate-fold on 190gsm offset paper, chosen to give a high-quality feel while remaining practical for distribution at the event.
Results & next steps
The finished brochure successfully combined practical function with elegant presentation, supporting the festival’s identity and enhancing the experience for attendees. Its layout made information clear and accessible, while the chosen imagery and print finish reflected the quality and heritage of Hatfield House. The final design achieved the aim of providing a visually appealing, easy-to-navigate guide that doubled as a lasting keepsake for festival-goers.
Following the success of the 2024 brochure, we look forward to continuing to support Hatfield House Music Festival in future years. We’ll continue to refine and evolve the design approach in line with each new theme, ensuring the festival’s printed materials remain consistent, engaging, and reflective of its long-standing cultural reputation.
Ready to make your brochure as memorable as your event?
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Design that hits every note
From festival brochures that guide and inspire to campaign materials that celebrate your event’s story, we help cultural organisations connect with audiences through thoughtful, visually engaging design.
If you’re ready to elevate your communications and make every performance an unforgettable experience, on page and online, let’s talk.