During World War 2, Londoners often took shelter from bombings in underground tube stations, with up to 175,000 people seeking refuge there every night in September 1940. The bombings left cities devastated and destroyed, creating powerful imagery of the desolation. Rail tunnels were also used as public air raid shelters during the war. Rationing and making do with less was part of daily life, as seen through packaging from the time. Propaganda posters with bold, stylized imagery surrounded people.

1. Visual influences
The Tempest
Bryony McCombie Smith

2. During the blitz people often took refuge in the tube stations, obviously taking refuge underground
where it is safe from the bombs. During September 1940 between 150,000 and 175,000 took to the
tube stations to get away from the bombs every night.

3. The devastation left after the bombings. I really think that the imagery of the destroyed cities is really important. The descruction
creates a really strong image.

4. A rail way tunnel reassigned as a public air raid shelter.
During the war brought people together, in terrible
circumstances, some times it brought out the best in people
but not all of the time.

5. Children being evacuated, passing troops arriving. I love the contrast in the photo, it signifies how during the blitz London became
a war zone, as they are bringing in the soldiers to protect the people.

6. War time heath hints poster issued by the government.

7. The black and white images from the 1940s are always so classic, they give a glamour to the people in them. However it
also seems to symbolise the horror and dullness of the time.

10. Rationing during the war meant that people had to make do and mend. I love the style of the packaging, images like these give a
window into peoples surroundings.

11. I think that this image of a ration book is so striking. It is a direct link right back to the real people during the war.

12. People were surrounded by propaganda posters.

13. The stylised imagery of these posters is
exquisite. They are bold and straight forward
with the optimum impact.