Graphic Design students at the University of Worcester have been developing conceptual wayfinding and interpretation boards for a potential new e-bike scheme in Malvern.
A phone screen mock-up of an online support site designed by student Jamie Evans - credit: Jamie Evans
The second year students have been working in partnership with Midlands Energy Hub, and the University of Worcester’s Sustainability Department and have been invited to present their ideas at Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership’s public event on Friday 23rd July at Worcester’s Guildhall.
Student Jamie Evans said: “I’ve really enjoyed designing concepts for the Malvern e-bike scheme. The overall learning on the project has really helped me progress my creative ability further within wayfinding and information graphics. It’s also been a pleasure to work on live client briefs which has been a fantastic opportunity to be part of for both myself and my peers. I’m really pleased with my final concept outcomes and look forwards to seeing where this scheme heads in the future.”
The initiative was devised by Katy Boom, the University’s Director of Sustainability and Alex Pearson, Regional Energy Projects Officer for Nottingham City Council, as a way for the students to put into practice their newly-gained skills in the design of Information Graphics in a ‘live’ conceptual project.
“The students’ work outputs are really creative and of a fantastically high standard – any of the work could translate into the real e-bike scheme and I’d love to revisit some of the work as the project develops. Fantastic work from all - I have been really impressed by their ideas and professional approach through the course of this project too,” said Alex.
Additionally, students studying on the Graphic Design course’s Graphic Information Design module have been successfully working with Alex and colleagues during the pandemic by utilising regular online virtual client meetings. The module’s own support blog was also used in innovative ways to help feed back and further evolve student concepts at key development stages too.
Senior Design Lecturer, and developer of the Graphic Information Design module, Andy Stevenson, said of the project: “It’s been a great project for the students to work on and despite the challenges of lockdown we’ve managed to use teaching methods and technology in new ways to best help students learn and progress with minimal impact. This project is part of a fascinating area within commercial design practice that we teach on the course and one which clearly benefits the students skills-wise too. Just recently we had one of our alumni putting his wayfinding design skills to good use while working on similar Infographic wayfinding projects for Birmingham Transport Authority.”
The partnership who set this brief are now looking at the feasibility of bringing this scheme to fruition and are hoping to use several the student design concepts as an additional steer in any final developments.
Graphic Design student's artwork