Before & After
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The Brief
We worked together with Hammersmith Council and Idverde to organise an engaging workshop held on June 1st, 2023. This workshop was designed to encourage collaboration and creativity among young residents (under 16) and their families of Hammersmith.
Before the workshops took place, a survey was conducted within the local community to gather ideas for the mural. Based on the feedback received, together they thought to include a game element in the Aspens Gardens Mural which would be a fun and playful addition.
Aspens Gardens is a 10m (w) x 5m (h) hand-painted mural completed in the summer of 2023. We used Dulux paints. Our aim is to create a beautiful mural that would inspire and bring joy to everyone who sees it.
Supported by: Idverde, Hammersmith and Fulham Council and Dulux.
Hammersmith Progression Video
The Process
The workshop took place on the 1st of June to connect the community and explore colour and mood board creation.
During the session, the participants collectively learnt about colour theory and decided on colours for the mural. Once everyone had picked they created mood boards, they were able to use these mood boards to express their ideas on paper in a fun and playful way.
The workshop brought all these amazing ideas together whilst co-designing the mural, participants were able to lead and design sections of the final mural and take ownership of the patterns, colours and shapes they would like to include.
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"Thoroughly enjoyed working with Rose and Dina on the Hammersmith borough Mural design. So much appreciation to Rose for her supportive efforts and positivity, really helped me to trust in my creative abilities as she allowed me and Dina to take ownership of the sections each of us was working on. I loved the Mural design and even more so, being a part of executing the design. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity and experience"
Faiza Suleiman, Project Assistant
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The Outcome
The completed mural stands as a beautiful representation of the collective ideas and culture of the local community. It transformed the space into a lively and inviting environment, for everyone to enjoy.
Beyond its beauty, the mural has become a symbol of connection and unity within the community, particularly among the younger residents. The inclusion of an interactive ball game has created relationships and brought people together in the spirit of playfulness. It serves as a gathering point, where everyone can engage in the vibrant space and create new connections together.
By bridging gaps and promoting a sense of togetherness, the mural has not only transformed the surroundings but has also created a sense of belonging and ownership among community members.
The finished mural, with its celebration of collective ideas and culture, has truly transformed the area into a welcoming space for all to enjoy and play.
About The Design
Learn about the individuals who participated in this project and the thought process behind the design choices for each section of the mural.
Isaac wanted the numbers and higher numbers. He plays in the ball court all the time! Keshia wanted to include math symbols to the design.
Sigourney Merrony-Potton wanted Bob the Community Cat who died recently. Her son Hunter, wanted to add an animal to the design.
Colette wanted to include hearts and butterflies and her favourite colour pink.
Elisa Mortimer wanted Bob the Community Cat to be hiding behind a bush
Our participant wanted to include a Rainbow and it to be colourful.
Rosie wanted to see a flying birds in the design.
Kim from the TRA (Tenants Residents Associations) as scottish heritage and wanted to include Tartan into the design.
Franklin loves the night sky and wanted to add the moon into the mural.
Our participant loved learning about different patterns and wanted to see spots and circles in the design.
The girls wanted flowers, trees and the colours Red, pink and green to be included in the design.
After learning about patterns our participant wanted include pink and a check design.
The TRA (Tenants Residents Association) said they wanted to include African and Arabic art within the mural.
Aabed el-Abed, Abdurahman and Sarah wanted it to be colourful and include: Rainbow, the Sky, Trees and Flowers
Khalil wanted to include a train and his favourite colours which are light blue and green.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What made the Aspen Gardens mural different from previous projects?
The game element really set this mural apart. It wasn't only a piece to look at, it invited people to play and interact with it, which added a whole new layer of connection and creativity.
How did you make sure the interactive element would work in a public space?
We considered scale, movement, and visibility from a child’s perspective. The layout had to be bold and simple enough to encourage play without overcrowding the wall or confusing the design.
What kind of paints did you use, and why?
We used Dulux masonry water-based paints, chosen for their strong pigmentation and outdoor durability. Since the mural is in an active play area, we needed colours that would remain vibrant despite weather and wear.
How did mood boards help shape the final mural design?
The mood boards allowed participants to explore colour and shape in a hands-on way. They served as creative springboards, guiding the design motifs that eventually made it into the mural, especially the playful, pattern-heavy sections.
Was the mural planned in advance, or shaped entirely by the workshop?
The workshop was a co-design session, so we went in with a flexible structure and let the participants shape the visual language. We had a basic framework, but colours, themes, and key elements were decided collectively.
Were there any surprising ideas that came out of the workshop?
Yes, some of the most fun and dynamic ideas came from spontaneous suggestions. The idea of incorporating simple shapes that doubled as game pieces or targets was something that emerged organically from the group.
How did you approach painting something so large by hand?
We scaled up key design elements using a gridding technique to maintain proportions and accuracy. Then we blocked in colour first and added detail in layers. Having clear sections also helped break it down into manageable parts.
Did the mural change the way people use the space?
Definitely. It’s no longer just a wall on the side of a ball court, it’s a vibrant part of the space. People stop to look, interact, and play, which wasn’t happening before. It brought the space to life.
What did younger participants bring to the design that stood out?
They brought boldness and imagination. Their ideas weren’t restricted by convention, which made the design more joyful and unexpected. They weren’t afraid to combine shapes, colours, or patterns in new ways.
