Big Engine Studios Design Agency

Wall Murals for the Industrial Careers Building at College of the Mainland

NEED
College of the Mainland’s (COM) new Industrial Careers Building had stark white walls inside needing mural designs to bring three floors of long hallways to life.

APPROACH
The building interior space was first analyzed and photographed followed by mural research. The design strategy would be based on a system of bold and symbolic abstract design with a motivational sense complimenting architectural cues and aligned with the college brand. It was determined 14 murals, 3 elevator treatments and 5 vinyl window treatments were needed throughout the building’s three floors. Walls selected for treatment ranged from 20ft to 46ft in length and up to 28ft in height. With the building housing HVAC, PTEC and Electrical programs, the entry wall design would strive to collectively represent these 3 areas of study with bold simplicity. Analyzing these program areas to conceptualize a representational design revealed a commonality that each program shared an underlying use of lines, whether it be chemicals sent through pipes (PTEC), air sent through ducts (HVAC) or electrical currents sent through wires. A mounted TV display was centered on the main wall, however the surrounding front facing walls were not symmetrically even in width on the left and right initially posing an additional challenge for the design. An assymmetrical design was strategically established to counter this offset issue. The final design, seen externally in the first image above through the entrance doors, reflects the final representational approach at the Industrial Careers Building’s main entrance. Final designs were presented to the executive leadership in realistic form applied to hallway photos for review and approval. In addition, a select panel of students were also given the opportunity to share their views on the proposed design approach before production took place.

RESULT
The building’s murals (5 of 14 shown above) received rave reviews in creating a new modern and engaging atmosphere while establishing wayfinding cues by association for students. The bold murals also set the visual stage on a large scale for the building’s grand opening event that took place in October 2022.

ROLE
Research and strategy, executive collaboration, conceptual illustrations, typography, branding and vendor production guidance and management