Creative project shines a light on Edinburgh construction site

GRAPHIC design students have helped brighten up an Edinburgh building site after teaming up with a construction firm.

30 first year students at Edinburgh Napier have been working with main contractor Bowmer & Kirkland to produce 32 new hoarding panels for a site in the Capital’s Fountainbridge area.

The boards have helped the site, which will house a new 228-room Hampton by Hilton hotel, shine a spotlight on the area’s history. Each of the students produced a number of designs that depict key historical elements.

They include interpretations of Sean Connery (who was born close by), the area’s rubber industry, the Fountainbridge community, the Union Canal, its links with Burke and Hare and the work of Bowmer & Kirkland.

Mick Dean, lecturer in graphic design at Edinburgh Napier explained, “We were delighted to be approached by Bowmer & Kirkland for this creative project and it’s great to see the impact our students’ work has had on the aesthetics of the site. The project has given our first year students a valuable insight into both graphic design software packages and the considerations required for working on a project of this size and stature – it’s been a fantastic development opportunity for them.”

Philip Bates, Bowmer & Kirkland project manager added, “Inviting the students to design graphics for our hoarding is a great way to improve the profile of our site and it now acts as an information hub for people who walk by.”