Future Forest: A Collaborative Project by BA (Hons) Graphic Design and BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design Students at Arts University Bournemouth

The article showcases the collaborative project “Future Forest” by students from the BA (Hons) Graphic Design and BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design courses at Arts University Bournemouth. The project includes five design projects completed by the students, ranging from an outdoor exhibition in a shipping container to the design of the exterior of medical vehicles for medical trials. The article highlights the importance of live briefs in the students’ learning experiences, bridging the gap between academic learning and the professional world. It emphasizes the skills gained through these collaborations, such as communication, project management, and problem-solving, and the opportunities for building industry connections and career development. The projects also address contemporary concerns in the industry, focusing on sustainability and ethical considerations.

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Arts University Bournemouth

Institution: Arts University Bournemouth School: Design and Architecture Course: Interior Architecture and Design Tutors: Monica Franchin, Michael Cavagin, Emily Manns, Ed Ward and Jamie Yeates

School statement: “Live briefs play a crucial role in the delivery of the Interior Architecture and Design undergraduate course at Arts University Bournemouth – there are many benefits that all the parties involved will receive from these collaborations.

IAD live briefs offer students the opportunity to work on actual projects for real clients or organisations.

This practical experience helps students bridge the gap between academic learning and the professional world, they get to apply their theoretical knowledge to solve genuine design challenges on a relatively manageable and small scale.

Working on live briefs allows our students to develop a range of professional skills including communication, project management, teamwork, client interaction and problem-solving.

These skills are invaluable for their understanding of the wider field of interior architecture and design.

The projects completed during live briefs will be included in the student’s portfolio, showcasing their practical skills to potential employers and their enthusiasm for the subject – this can lead to higher engagement and a deeper commitment to their studies.

Live briefs involve interaction with real clients, design firms or industry professionals, which is instrumental for students to establish connections in the sector and gain a deeper understanding of the industry’s standards and practices.

At AUB, live briefs bring the real-world context into the classroom, where students learn to consider factors such as client preferences, budgets and site-specific requirements, which are essential in students’ development – they also receive feedback from real clients or industry experts.

Projects cover a wide range of design projects, from art collaboration to briefs centred around the NHS.

This diversity exposes students to various design challenges and styles, preparing them for a broader spectrum of career opportunities.

Our live briefs have sustainability and ethical considerations at their core, allowing students to be exposed to contemporary concerns in the industry, preparing them to address environmental and social issues through their designs.

Live briefs can be highly motivating for students, as they see the immediate practical relevance of their coursework, which can lead to higher engagement and a deeper commitment to their studies.

Our live briefs are integral to the Interior Architecture and Design undergraduate course at Arts University Bournemouth as they enhance students’ learning experiences, provide practical skills and help them transition into the professional world with a well-rounded portfolio and industry connections.

These real-world projects not only enrich the curriculum but also prepare students for a successful career in the sector.”

Royal Bournemouth Hospital BEACH Building

Background: Staff and students from Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) and University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) collaborated to support the build of the Royal Bournemouth Hospital’s new BEACH (Births, Emergency care, Critical care and child Health) building. The project is part of a transformation program that includes over 23,000 square meters of hospital development.

Design: AUB’s BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design students, Julia Binnon, Raquel Di Cori, and Dahnya Sandhu, designed eye-catching information panels surrounding the new BEACH building. The panels aim to promote the benefits of the new hospital facilities and the wider transformation program.

Completion Date: The BEACH building is scheduled to complete in late 2024. It will provide Dorset residents with a new maternity unit, children’s unit, enhanced emergency department, and a 30-bed critical care unit.

Students: Julia Binnon, Raquel Di Cori, and Dahnya Sandhu Tutors: Monica Franchin and Jamie Yeates

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Think Big

Partnership Project: Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) collaborated with Dorset’s Integrated Care System (ICS) Our Dorset for the Think Big initiative. The project involved first year BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design students working with local authority partners such as BCP Council, Dorset Council, NHS University Hospitals Dorset, and Public Health Dorset. The aim was to support the design of a new Outpatients Assessment Clinic in Poole.

Collaboration with Our Dorset: Our Dorset delivered lectures to AUB students, helping them understand the health and social care needs of the region. In turn, AUB students assisted the ICS in designing and delivering community care services across the region.

Objectives: The project focused on civic responsibility, empathy towards users, and inclusivity in design. The students designed Pala, a character representative of the community, embodying the spirit of the local people and reflecting the innovative approach of the new outpatient assessment clinic.

Design Concept: The design aimed to be appealing across all age groups and demographics, considering the diverse population in Dorset.

Students: Andrea Dall’Orto, Harry Powell, Isabella Williams, Samantha Day, and Caroline Millard Tutors: Monica Franchin and Jamie Yeates

NHIR Health Bus

Designing a New Bus: Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) students had the opportunity to influence the design of a new bus for the NIHR Wessex CRN. The bus would be used to deliver research trials and clinical health and care studies to the community, reaching populations that are harder to access.

Community Outreach: The buses would enable outreach by parking at events and festivals to promote the #BePartofResearch campaign and make clinical trials more accessible to the public.

Clinical Trials in the Wessex Region: The NIHR Wessex CRN runs clinical trials in the Wessex region to test new medications, treatments, and interventions. The buses would support these trials by bringing them closer to specific communities, including rural areas and coastal communities far from city centers.

Design Considerations: The design of the bus needed to be appealing and inclusive to all age groups and demographics to encourage participation in medical trials.

Students: Lenya Hulford-Greig, Thomas Roberts, Annika Shaill, and Lucas Thompson-McClure Tutors: Monica Franchin, Jamie Yeates, and Emily Manns

Inside Out Dorset

Collaboration with Activate Dorset: Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) has been collaborating with Activate Dorset for a third year. The project involved creating site-specific speculative installations in Wild Woodbury, a nature reserve, to enhance the visitor experience and engage with broader themes of ecologies and the climate emergency.

Site-specific Installations: Students from the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design course responded to the site of Wild Woodbury, using various techniques such as material growing/making, printmaking, virtual reality, visual programming, and architectural filmmaking to communicate their projects.

Themes and Objectives: The installations aimed to explore concepts of interaction, engagement, and the relationship between nature and human activities.

Techniques and Tools: Students employed a range of techniques and tools to bring their installations to life, adding depth and meaning to the visitor experience.

Students: Molly Gransbury, Ella Taylor, and Julia Kabior Tutors: Jamie Yeates and Ed Ward

Future Forest Project

Background: Future Forest is a collaborative project between Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) students from the BA (Hons) Graphic Design and BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design courses. The project also involved AUB staff and university coder-in-residence Ashley James Brown.

Design Approach: As part of their curriculum, graphic design students were tasked with designing an ethical and annotated response to the forest context, enhancing the visitor experience at Moors Valley Country Park.

Implementation and Timeline: The project involved the implementation of various design elements and concepts within the forest, enriching the visitor’s interaction with the natural environment.

Sustainability Considerations: The Future Forest project aimed to address environmental and social concerns through sustainable design practices, reinforcing the importance of ethical and responsible design.

Collaboration Process: The collaboration between graphic design and interior architecture students allowed for a multidisciplinary approach, fostering creativity and innovation in the project.

Students: Tom Pritchard and Grace Reeves

Tutors: (specific tutors not mentioned)

Project Planning and Execution

Initial Research and Concept Development: Each project began with extensive research and concept development to understand the objectives, requirements, and context of the briefs.

Client Consultations and Feedback: Students had the opportunity to interact with real clients, design firms, and industry professionals during the project to receive feedback and guidance.

Design Refinement and Iteration: Through a process of refinement and iteration, students were able to refine their designs, taking into account feedback from clients and tutors to improve upon their initial concepts.

Material and Technology Selection: The selection of materials and technologies was an important consideration in the design process, ensuring that the chosen elements aligned with the objectives and requirements of each project.

Budgeting and Resource Management: Managing resources and budgeting effectively played a crucial role in the successful execution of the projects, ensuring that the designs could be implemented within the allocated resources.

Project Management and Scheduling: Project management and scheduling were essential in coordinating the various aspects of each project, ensuring that they were completed within the set timeframe and met the desired objectives.

Installation and Evaluation: The final phase of each project involved the installation of the designs and an evaluation of their effectiveness, allowing for reflection and further improvement.

Benefits of Live Briefs

Real-World Experience for Students: Live briefs provide students with valuable real-world experience, allowing them to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical design challenges.

Integration of Theory and Practice: Live briefs help bridge the gap between academic learning and the professional world, integrating theory and practice to develop a more holistic understanding of interior architecture and design.

Development of Professional Skills: Working on live briefs allows students to develop a range of professional skills, including communication, project management, teamwork, client interaction, and problem-solving.

Portfolio Enhancement: The projects completed during live briefs can be included in students’ portfolios, showcasing their practical skills and enhancing their prospects for future employment.

Industry Connections: Collaborating with real clients and industry professionals helps students establish valuable connections in the industry, providing them with insights into industry standards and practices.

Understanding of Client Needs: Live briefs expose students to client preferences, budgets, and site-specific requirements, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of client needs and preferences.

Exposure to Sustainability and Ethical Considerations: Live briefs with sustainability and ethical considerations at their core expose students to contemporary concerns in the industry and prepare them to address environmental and social issues through their designs.

Motivation and Engagement: The practical relevance and immediate impact of live briefs can greatly motivate students, leading to higher engagement and a deeper commitment to their studies.

Preparation for Career Opportunities: Live briefs prepare students for a successful career in the interior architecture and design sector, equipping them with the practical skills, portfolio, and industry connections necessary to thrive in the industry.

Conclusion

Summary of Projects: Arts University Bournemouth students have successfully completed several design projects, including the Royal Bournemouth Hospital BEACH Building, the Think Big partnership project, the NHIR Health Bus, Inside Out Dorset, and the Future Forest Project.

Impact of Collaborative Projects: Collaborating with real clients, industry professionals, and local authorities has allowed students to have a tangible impact on their communities, contributing to the design of important healthcare facilities and promoting community engagement.

Future Opportunities: These collaborative projects have provided Arts University Bournemouth students with valuable skills, experiences, and connections that will benefit them in their future careers. The success of these projects opens up future opportunities for similar collaborations and meaningful design initiatives.

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