NatureHUD: Communal Space
University Group Project
This was a group project I did at university. My role was to create brand identity and social media designs.
NatureHUD – an exciting initiative inspired by the Natural City workshop and the Community, hosted by the European Centre of Culture in November 2023. which will be held in November 2023 at the European Center of Culture. The project, which aims to find a healthy balance between ecological responsibility, social cohesion, and cultural vibrancy, is a monument to our effort to social sustainability. Fundamentally, NatureHUD is a creative idea for the layout of common space and a varied schedule of events connecting the University campus and the heart of Huddersfield. Motivated by the idea of the “Natural City,” our objective is to create a vibrant community center where people, the environment, and culture all coexist harmoniously.Through carefully chosen events and programs that follow the concepts of ecological, social, and cultural sustainability, NatureHUD aims to offer vibrant venue for community involvement, artistic expression, and celebration. Our mission is to provide opportunities for sustainability, expression, and connection via everything from art exhibitions to nature hikes.
Research:
As a graphic designer, I'll be playing a crucial role in visualizing and communicating the vision for the communal space, helping to bring together the elements of ecological sustainability, social cohesion, and cultural vibrancy through my designs.
For a number of reasons, I think this subject is highly relevant and important to the cultural and creative sectors.
1. Integral to Communities: Communal spaces serve as hubs for social interaction, cultural exchange, and artistic expression. By contributing to their design, I can impact how people engage with their environment and each other, aligning with the values of the cultural and creative industries.
2. Multidisciplinary Approach: Working with practitioners from many disciplines, such as architecture, urban planning, and landscaping, is necessary when designing public areas. I can transform concepts into visual representations as a graphic designer, which helps to create experiences that are simpleand immersive by communicating the desired atmosphere and usefulness of the area.
3. Addressing Social, Cultural, and Environmental Issues: Creating community place gives me the chance to talk about significant problems like inclusion, sustainability, and cultural diversity. I can reflect and celebrate the identities and beliefs of the communities by adding these components into my designs, making the place more lively and vibrant.
Target Audience:
1. Local Residents: It’s important to involve the local community. The main users of the community area will be Huddersfield residents, therefore my design choices should take their requirements, interests, and preferences into consideration.
2. University Students: Taking into account the close proximity of the selected location to the university campus, students will make up a significant population. Its attraction to this population may be increased by designing an area that meets their interests and offers chances for leisure and sociability.
3. Visitors and Tourists: Huddersfield draws tourists for a variety of reasons, including as its historical landmarks, cultural activities, and scenic surroundings. Creating an inviting public area for tourists may boost the city’s value and promote future visits.
4. Local Businesses and Institutions: Collaborations and partnerships may be fostered by involving local businesses, educational institutions such as Kirklees College, and other local groups. They could also be able to provide the project with insightful information or useful resources.
5. Families and Children: Providing facilities and kid-friendly activities in a family-friendly setting may draw families to the common area, encouraging participation and multigenerational community building.
6. Cultural and Creative Communities: Huddersfield is home to a thriving creative community in addition to a rich cultural past. Creating an environment that honors and encourages regional artistic expression might strike a chord with this group.
Site Visit:
Reflection on Site Visits: Increasing Design Understanding for NatureHUD As a graphic designer involved in the process of imagining a lively public area for Huddersfield, my recent trips to Greenhead Park in Huddersfield and Halifax’s Piece Hall offered invaluable ideas that significantly impact our NatureHUD design concept.
1. Insights from Piece Hall Visit: The Piece Hall’s architectural magnificence and historical significance provided a fascinating setting for learning how social areas might integrate tradition with modern utility. The colorful outdoor spaces, which was bordered by striking Georgian buildings, was the scene of a variety of community events, including exciting plays and busy markets. What really stood out to me was the obvious feeling of community spirit that was created by the friendly environment and the well-thought-out design, which promoted impromptu conversations and mingling among guests. Furthermore, the significance of diversity in public space design was underscored by the focus on accessible features and abundant seats.
2. Relevance to Design Process: I understand the vital role that visual appeal, practicality, and community interaction play in developing the design story by drawing parallels between our vision for NatureHUD and the observations made at Piece Hall. The knowledge gained from the tour highlights how important it is to design a space that functions as a vibrant center for social interaction and cross-cultural exchange in addition to celebrating Huddersfield’s rich cultural legacy. It will be crucial to include inclusive and accessible design features to make sure that NatureHUD meets the wide range of demands in our community.
3. Insights from Greenhead Park Visit:
My tour of Greenhead Park gave our design discussions additional context and gave me an understanding of the distinct qualities and dynamics of communal spaces in Huddersfield. The park served as a gathering spot for recreational activities and community gatherings, reinforcing the universal values of inclusion and involvement that we hope to exemplify in NatureHUD, even if its tranquil nature environment and recreational amenities were different from Piece Hall’s urban vibrancy.
4. Selection of Communal Space Location:
Taking into account our site visits and the knowledge we gained, choosing the NatureHUD location in Huddersfield becomes a purposeful process based on an in-depth understanding of the needs and goals of the local community. Through a synthesis of Piece Hall’s best practices and Greenhead Park’s community-centric philosophy, we hope to create a community space that not only embodies Huddersfield’s cultural character but also serves as a catalyst for meaningful interactions and experiences for its citizens.
About Nature Hud Location:
Our communal space project in Huddersfield. The location in front of Folly Hall, next to River Colne, offers a good blank canvas for our artistic activities. This location provides a key crossroads of many community points, including student housing, a warehouse, a gym, and a restaurant, all surrounded by the vibrant bustle of Kirklees College.
Role and Responsibilities
As the coordinator and lead graphic designer for the NatureHUD project, I was responsible for overseeing the entire execution process, ensuring seamless collaboration among team members, and effectively delegating tasks based on their strengths. I played a pivotal role in developing the project’s brand identity and promotional materials, ensuring that every design element aligned with the overarching goals and vision. My focus was on creating cohesive, impactful visuals that resonated with our audience while maintaining the project’s essence and objectives.
In the NatureHUD project, I took on diverse responsibilities that allowed me to grow both creatively and strategically. I spearheaded the brand identity creation by designing the logo, color palette, stationery, and other visual assets, ensuring a cohesive and appealing aesthetic for the project. Additionally, I managed the promotional and visual design, crafting engaging posters, hoardings, and animated videos using Adobe After Effects to amplify outreach. I also designed branded merchandise like t-shirts and oversaw the printing process to maintain quality.
Beyond design, I played a key role in activity planning and community engagement, organizing Easter-themed events such as art workshops and egg hunts. To tailor the project to community needs, I conducted surveys with local residents, gathering valuable insights. My research extended to analyzing communal spaces like Piece Hall and Greenhead Park to inform the designs and activities, while also studying the legal aspects of using the venue to ensure compliance.
As a project manager, I effectively scheduled project phases, delegated tasks, and allocated resources to ensure smooth execution. I fostered collaboration within the team through brainstorming and feedback sessions, maintaining a balance between creativity and practicality. This comprehensive experience underscored my ability to blend design expertise with strategic thinking and team leadership.
Key Skills
During the NatureHUD project, I utilized a diverse set of skills to bring the vision to life. My graphic design expertise was central to creating impactful and cohesive visuals that aligned with the themes of sustainability and community. I also incorporated motion graphics into the promotional materials, using animation to add vibrancy and enhance engagement. Balancing leadership and teamwork, I coordinated the project effectively, ensuring that all milestones were met on time. Additionally, I conducted in-depth research and analysis, leveraging insights from site visits and community surveys to make the project more relevant and impactful. Along the way, I embraced self-directed learning, improving my technical skills in tools like After Effects through online platforms, which added a professional edge to my work.
Challenges
Throughout the project, I faced several challenges that tested my resilience and problem-solving skills. Managing team conflicts and communication gaps required me to approach situations with diplomacy and provide structured feedback to ensure smooth collaboration. Balancing the pressure of being both an international student and a group leader was particularly demanding, as I had to meet high expectations while navigating cultural differences. These experiences not only strengthened my leadership abilities but also deepened my understanding of the importance of clear communication and adaptability in achieving project success.
Contribution
I contributed significantly to the success of NatureHUD by creating a cohesive visual identity that embodied its goals of ecological sustainability, cultural vibrancy, and social cohesion. My designs for promotional materials played a crucial role in enhancing the project's visibility and making it more appealing to its target audience. By focusing on community-centered design, I ensured that the project resonated with diverse groups, fostering a sense of inclusivity and sustainability that aligned with its core objectives.
T-shirt Printing: I took the initiative to provide the proper measurements of my visual language design to the print lab. These designs were then placed on t-shirts using a heat press machine. I worked closely with Laura and my classmate Sanket, who were experienced with the equipment, to ensure accurate printing.
