University project - MA Communication Design, Northumbria University Newcastle
Part I.
Bigg Market Murals
The aim of this project was to change the reputation of Bigg Market with the murals located in the Old George alley. Bigg Market has a rich history, but in recent years it became famous for wild nightlife. The murals are supposed to attract young families and more day visitors. The use of the theme of Bigg Market history for the murals was highly demanded.
The murals area
The first mural
The first mural is inspired by the Winter Zoo. From the research it follows that people who could experience the Winter Zoo thought for a long time that it was only a dream and it couldn‘t be real. I decided to paint it in a dreamy way in the dreamy colours and slightly deformed perspective, to support the unbelievable atmosphere. The style of the painting supports the conservation of fine art history on the Bigg Market. In the painting there are characters, who represent the real people telling their memories. The memories give it the fairytale feeling. The whole image is outlined to look like the stained glass window.
Winter Zoo
Winter Zoo was held in the Bigg Market town hall around 1965. A few animals like an elephant, giraffe, llama, dolphin and parrots were transported from Sunderland Zoo to Bigg Market town hall in Newcastle city centre for the Christmas period. Sunderland Zoo had less visitors during the winter and the animals missed them, so there were many more visitors coming to Winter Zoo on Bigg market. Furthermore, people could meet all the animals walking on the lead in the city centre.
Winter Zoo was held in the Bigg Market town hall around 1965. A few animals like an elephant, giraffe, llama, dolphin and parrots were transported from Sunderland Zoo to Bigg Market town hall in Newcastle city centre for the Christmas period. Sunderland Zoo had less visitors during the winter and the animals missed them, so there were many more visitors coming to Winter Zoo on Bigg market. Furthermore, people could meet all the animals walking on the lead in the city centre.
The second mural
The second mural is inspired by not that far history. The picture is divided into six sections in the shape of a famous building of WCs. Currently there is a luxury bar in the building. Each section represents part of the history of the Bigg Market. Every piece of the mural is painted to a small detail, so that it can work independently. The painting is done in the same style as the first one.
1 - Famous markets on Bigg Market, the place was crowded and got its name after a type of barley.
2 - The town hall on Bigg Market hosted the first dog show in history.
3 - Opening of WCs and the fountain.
4 - Double decker trams were going through Bigg Market in the past.
5 - Famous markets and ice cream stand.
6 - Winter Zoo
1 - Famous markets on Bigg Market, the place was crowded and got its name after a type of barley.
2 - The town hall on Bigg Market hosted the first dog show in history.
3 - Opening of WCs and the fountain.
4 - Double decker trams were going through Bigg Market in the past.
5 - Famous markets and ice cream stand.
6 - Winter Zoo
Add more light
To support the feeling of stained glass windows I suggested the use of background illumination with led light stripes attached on the wall and covered by transparent board. The mural itself would be printed on the transparent or semitransparent film and attached on the board. It allows easy change for different art in the future. The alley will not be dark anymore and the place will be more welcoming.
Final visualization
To attract more families and young people to Bigg Market I came up with an AR game concept:
https://www.behance.net/gallery/129627861/Bigg-Market-Winter-Zoo-AR-game-part-II
https://www.behance.net/gallery/129627861/Bigg-Market-Winter-Zoo-AR-game-part-II
