Before & After
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The Brief
We worked together with Hammersmith Council and Idverde to organise an engaging workshop held on the 31st of May 2023. This workshop was designed to encourage collaboration and creativity among young residents (under 16) and their families of Hammersmith. The participants were invited to create mood boards for the Riverside Gardens Location. Riverside Gardens is a 12.5m (w) x 2.1m (h) ACM (aluminium composite material) mural which was installed during the summer of 2023.
This mural was a community consultation, where every local resident had the opportunity to share their ideas and perspectives. We created conversations to ensure that everyone's voice and ideas were heard in the final design.
Supported by: Idverde, Hammersmith & Fulham Council, Brewers and Dulux.
Riverside Gardens
The Process
The workshop took place on the 31st of May 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 chosen materials 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.
"I couldn't believe how much it brightened up the space! The community is so happy with the mural design and we can't wait to use the ball court, it's been amazing being able to see our ideas in a design!"
Anonymous Community Member, 2023
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The Outcome
In designing the mural, we took inspiration directly from the community's spirit. We incorporated rivers to reflect the proximity to the riverside and included rowers to represent the local rowing teams. Greenery was added to symbolise the nearby parks and natural surroundings.
To reflect the distinct pattern of the ball court, we included hexagons in the design. Additionally, after listening to feedback during community consultations, we added more orange to the mural design.
Great projects involving the community and a great way of getting people together and their creative juices flowing. The resulting murals are a breath of fresh air and bring vibrancy to the areas. Well done Rose!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long did it take to complete the mural from start to finish?
From initial planning and consultation to final installation, the project spanned around 3–4 months. The workshop took place in May, and the mural was installed during the summer of 2023.
What materials were used to create the mural?
The mural was printed onto aluminium composite material (ACM), chosen for its durability and weather resistance, ideal for public outdoor spaces like Riverside Gardens.
Was the mural painted or digitally designed?
While the ideas and elements were developed through hands-on, collaborative workshops, the final design was created digitally to allow for professional printing onto ACM panels.
How were the final design decisions made?
We took all community input into account, especially the mood boards and discussions from the workshop, and created a design that reflected the most common themes, colours, and symbols participants wanted to see.
Was any experience in art or design required to take part?
Not at all! The workshop was designed for all skill levels. Participants didn’t need any prior experience, the focus was on expressing ideas, not creating polished artwork.
How is the mural maintained?
Since it's printed on ACM, it requires very little upkeep. Idverde and the council monitor the space and will help maintain the mural as part of general park care.
What software was used to create the final mural design?
We used Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to digitise and compose the final mural layout, combining scanned artwork from the mood boards with new vector-based illustrations for print clarity. (IS THIS TRUE, ROSE? PLEASE UPDATE IF NOT)
Was the design colour-matched before printing?
Yes, we used Pantone and CMYK references from the workshop’s selected palette to colour-match accurately during the print process. Test prints were reviewed to ensure fidelity. (IS THIS TRUE, ROSE? PLEASE UPDATE IF NOT)
Can the design be updated or added to in the future?
Yes, since the mural is printed in panels, additional sections could be designed and installed alongside the original if there's desire for future expansion.
