The Brief
Since 2018, UEL had been implementing a 10-year transformation strategy to become the country’s leading career-focused higher education provider, prioritising a sustainable and inclusive future.
After launching a new brand hierarchy and visual identity, the institution sought to create a unified and welcoming look and feel for the current estate, which delivered a wow factor in key locations such as campus entrances and could also be rolled out in future locations. The transformation also aimed to optimise the use of outdoor spaces to promote health and well-being.
Not only are these renovations designed to boost institutional pride and celebrate success, but they’re also part of a wide strategy to make the campuses more welcoming and accessible to local communities.
The Concept
To align with the university’s vision, Endpoint recently created a place-making master plan and wayfinding strategy which is bold, vibrant, and connected. Focused very much on developing an overarching concept for the look and feel of the university’s estate, which could be applied to both existing sites and future developments.
Incorporating public seating areas, display panels and digital signage with key storytelling elements, Endpoint aimed to heighten the connection between people and place via content-rich, emotionally compelling, experiential spaces. Through each of these elements, the intention was to shape experiences that orient, inform, educate, and delight everyday users and visitors.
As part of the plan, the campus entrances incorporated external graphics to increase brand visibility and recognition, whilst the outdoor spaces utilised playful and practical features such as creative public seating, bike storage, movable plants, exhibition displays, lighting, and environmental graphics.
The heart of the Docklands campus will be turned into a landscaped well-being garden with activity trails, whilst storytelling takes place in bold graphics across hoardings, walls, and exhibitions. The wayfinding system is a hybrid of both static and digital signage to create versatility and flexibility for future signage needs.
