Under the Skin
3 framed Under the Skin screenprints of endangered animals, revealing glowing skeletons of a pangolin, orangutan and elephant, illustrated by Ed Harrison.
Illustration, Graphic design, Branding

Under the Skin

Part awareness campaign, part business venture with my brother, Under the Skin calls attention to the beauty & vulnerability of the world’s most endangered animals.

"The impact of their striking interactive artwork, along with Ed and James’ enthusiasm, helped museum visitors of all ages to engage with the threat of extinction to species across the planet."

Laura Ashby Events Manager, Natural History Museum

The Brief

  • Since 1970 half of the planet's animals have gone extinct. One million plant and animal species are currently threatened with extinction.
  • Compelled to take action with my brother, in 2015 we decided to bring our illustration and printmaking skills together to raise awareness and support the conservation movement.
  • In our mission to create #PrintsThatProtect, we donate 20% to a charity protecting each species.
  • We immersed ourselves in these complex issues. In 2018 we spent a week aboard a Sea Shepherd vessel to document their frontline work to protect the most endangered marine mammal on the planet.

The Idea

  • We developed a vibrant and compelling series of illustrated animals with a powerful underlying message.
  • Using phosphorescent inks to reflect the concept of extinction, James screenprinted the animal skeleton on the final layer of each piece of artwork.
  • We sent out UV torches with each limited edition print for customers to reveal the hidden animal anatomy.
  • From the handprinted wrapping paper to the customer charity cards, we curated every design detail of the unpacking experience.

The Result

  • Under the Skin was shortlisted for the 2019 World Illustration Awards.
  • The collection has been exhibited globally, in institutions such as the the Natural History Museum.
  • Our project has been shared by influencers and activists such as Leonardo Di Caprio.
  • We have been invited to share our project at Wildscreen Festival and P&G on Earth Day.
  • Since 2015 we have partnered with leaders in wildlife conservation such as Birdlife International, RSPB, Global Wildlife Conservation, Sea Shepherd and more.
A greyscale digital illustration of an orangutan created for Under the Skin by Ed Harrison
A greyscale digital illustration of a pangolin skeleton illustrated by Ed Harrison for Under the Skin.
A geometric illustration of a sun bear, created by Ed Harrison for Under the Skin.
An overhead shot of Ed Harrison illustrating an orangutan in the Under the Skin studio surrounded by tools and research materials.
An open sketchbook on a wooden table with a pencil sketch of an orangutan by Ed Harrison.
Ed Harrison creaing a digital illustration of an orangutan on his laptop for Under the Skin.
A series of 14 circular digital illustrations of endangered animals created by Ed Harrison for Under the Skin.
Scroll left / right
An orangutan screenprint layed out in wrapping paper alongside a series of booklets and a UV torch, illustrated by Ed Harrison for Under the Skin.
An Under the Skin orangutan charity leaflet designed by Ed Harrison on a wooden table.
An infographic with stats and facts about why orangutans are critically endangered created for Under the Skin by Ed Harrison
A collection of tiled colourful digital prints of endangered animals illustrated by Ed Harrison for Under the Skin.
A short paragraphy of text about the Under the Skin process of creating a silk screen print.
James Harrison holds up a layered orangutan illustration on clear acetate in the Under the Skin print studio.
A short process film showcasing designer-duo and brothers Ed & James Harrison creating a piece of artwork in partnership with the RSPB and Birdlife International.
James Harrison holds up a pallette knife in the Under the Skin print studio, with a wall iof animal prints behind him.
An overhead shot of James Harrison spreading pink ink during the screenprinting process at Under the Skin's print studio.
James Harrison's hands pushing down on an Under the Skin screenprint of a whooping crane illustration.
James Harrison screenprinting in the Under the Skin print studio.
Close-up details of a whooping crane being silk screenprinted in the Under the Skin studio.
James Harrison scraping white ink into a pot during the screenprinting process at Under the Skin's print studio.
James Harrison in the Under the Skin print studio shining a UV torch on a whooping crane screenprint.
Three framed pieces of Under the Skin artwork of illustrated animals; a gorilla, a vaquita porpoise and a crane, illustrated by Ed Harrison.
3 framed Under the Skin screenprints of endangered animals, revealing glowing skeletons of a gorilla, vaquita porpoise and crane, illustrated by Ed Harrison.

Shining a light on extinction

The core idea revolves around the use of phosphorescent ink to visually communicate our concept. Under UV light the hidden skeleton is revealed, all that remains if a species falls into the darkness of extinction.

Watch the process film
Three framed pieces of Under the Skin artwork of illustrated animals; a pangolin, an orangutan and an elephant, illustrated by Ed Harrison.
3 framed Under the Skin screenprints of endangered animals, revealing glowing skeletons of a pangolin, orangutan and elephant, illustrated by Ed Harrison.
8 colourful Under the Skin framed screenprints of endangered animals illustrated by Ed Harrison, hanging on a brick wall.
Close-up of a Bornean orangutan screenprint illustrated by Ed Harrison for Under the Skin
Close-up of print of a glow-in-the-dark orangutan skeleton printed by Under the Skin and illustrated by Ed Harrison
An elephant illustration with a glow in the dark skeleton glowing in the dark, created by Ed Harrison for Under the Skin
An elephant illustration printed with a subtle skeleton overlay created by Ed Harrison for Under the Skin.
Close-up of an orange orangutan illustration with a green background illustrated by Ed Harrison for Under the Skin.
Close-up of print of a glow-in-the-dark pangolin skeleton illustrated by Ed Harrison for Under the Skin.
A grid of 12 wildlife charity partner logos who collaborate with Under the Skin.

Prints That Protect

Under the Skin has partnered with some of the world's most influential charities. We donate 20% from every print sale to a specific campaign dedicated to protecting each species.

Meet our charities
Two pairs of hands unwrapping a gift in recycled animal-themed wrapping paper
A happy couple open Under the Skin's package containing gift cards printed on brown recycled card.
A man sitting at a table whilst opening a tri-fold leaflet.
A man holding a UV torch and shining it on a blue poster of a hammerhead shark, to reveal the sksleton.

The details make the design

From the hand-printed wrapping paper to the charity cards, and framing guides to the hand-embossed box, we curated every step of the sustainable packaging. The result is a memorable and meaningful customer experience.

Explore the print collection
Street view of a small art gallery with the Under The Skin logo on the window in white vinyl.
A man shining a UV torch on a framed sun bear print in an art exhibition of endangered animal pieces of artwork.
A group of people smiling and shining UV torches on framed prints in Under the Skin's art exhibition.
Ed Harrison in an Under the Skin exhbition with his parter Julia Bethan.
A client testimonial singing praise to Under The Skin's artwork designed by Ed and James Harrison.
James Harrison kneeling down in front of a panda print and talking to a child in an art gallery.
A young girl and boy standing in the hallway of the Natural History Museum, shining a UV torch on an Under The Skin print of a vaquita posrpoise.
A woman shining a UV torch on a framed screen print of a panda in an Under The Skin art exhibition.
Singer-songwriter Nick Mulvey plays his guitar in front of a row of Under the Skin screenprints in an art gallery.

A powerful, universal message

The Under the Skin collection has been exhibited globally - from our COP26 show in Glasgow to the Natural History Museum - and featured at private events with collaborators such as singer-songwriter Nick Mulvey, sharing a powerful message about conservation with audiences of all ages.

undertheskin.co.uk
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