Cornwall Imaginary
PGDip Graphic Design - 2021
Brief
Identify local issues that have existed historically, or may have emerged through changes in society, politics or local need, and develop a visual outcome to initiate change.
Outcome
Cornwall Imaginary, a community project which is reviving areas in Cornwall through storytelling and art with the further aim to increase individual and community wellbeing. The Cornwall Imaginary website provides a platform with 5 key parts which work together to create an interactive and engaging initiative that everyone can join in with. Each location has its own illustrated story. Through Wall Decoration Events, communities can come together with a shared goal in mind – to make something magical.
Branding & Visual Identity, UI/UX Design, Writing
The Problem
Cornwall suffers from deprivation, rural Isolation, unemployment, homelessness, poverty and as a bi product of many of these: undesirable spaces. Not only do the multiple rundown/abandoned buildings look undesirable but the feel it too. The knock-on effect this has on places is increasingly damaging. The wellbeing of individuals living in areas is suffering. Additionally, as Cornwall relies heavily on tourism, the more ‘attractive’ towns benefit, whilst others suffer. People are not proud of where they live.
Art
Arts and Culture can transform an environment tremendously and help to make towns and spaces attractive places to live, visit and socialise. Events can bring people together and foster community feeling. Art has the potential to play an important role in the revival of an area benefiting many.
Focus Location - Penryn
Undesirable and uninspiring
On paper Penryn sounds beautifully inviting - Located at the head of Penryn River full of galleries and art studios. However, both interviewees described Penryn as dull, empty, drab and run down. One interviewee commented "It seems like a place that could do with new life, it's dated in a way that looks tired rather than beautiful."
Lack of Expression
Penryn has some really creative studios in it as well as an art gallery, however not everyone knows about them! Both interviewees felt that this creativity was not expressed in the area but has so much potential to be.
Competing with Falmouth
Penryn is located next to Falmouth which is famously known for its creativity and has become the holiday destination meaning Penryn gets completely overlooked and used as a drive through. When talking with the interviewees, both commented on how Penryn feels 'compared to Falmouth' which was negatively in comparison.
Website
The website serves as the home base for the platform where the individuals can access all parts of Cornwall Imaginary. The website aims to unite communities through the revival of areas in Cornwall. You can access the interactive map which show you which buildings will be decorated and when ensuring you can take part in the wall decoration. In addition to this, each location has its very own designed narrative giving residents something to take ownership of which encourages others to see the place differently.
You can find a showcase of all the previously decorated walls for each location, and the journey of how it was decorated. And lastly, Your Voice – a place where your suggestions can be dropped in for what the towns need and what the buildings could be used for – all crazy and imaginative ideas welcome! The website can be accessed through computer, tablet or phone.
Penryn Made
The full story
A long, long time ago, nestled between fields at the head of a river, surrounded by nature, there was a marvellous dwelling called... Penryn. Although this town was overshadowed by its larger and louder neighbour Falmouth, it had a beauty that Falmouth could not take. This town was one of the most ancient towns in Cornwall and by this very fact, was made magical. You see, the magic in Penryn was visible for years, it covered the town in layers that shone brilliantly in the sun and lit up the town by night. People came from all over Cornwall to see it and they too felt magical when they were there. But the magic in Penryn wasn't enough to get people to stay. As the people faded, so did the visibility of the magic.
After a while, people used Penryn only as a way to get to Falmouth. Mind you, without the visibility of the magic, people forgot it was there. They forgot how good it would make them feel to spend time in the once magnificent dwelling of Penryn. This made the residents sad.
Many years later, a girl and her family were driving through Penryn to get to Falmouth when their car broke down. Whilst they waited for the car rescue, the girl saw an old man sitting on a bench, beside him lay a paintbrush, some paint, and a freshly painted canvas. The girl said to the old man, "I think your painting would look good on that big get building over there, it would make this place happy." The old man smiled at her and watched as they went on their way.
That evening, whilst the old man sat in his armchair, he turned to his cat and said, "you know, that idea ain't half bad." As you know, cats don't speak, so it didn't reply. The next day, the old man being rather a brave human, carried his ladder down to the big grey building and with his paintbrushes and paint covered the building in colour. All the residents came out to see what he was doing and gathered together to get a good look. Not only did the residents, but people driving through pulled their cars over and came to see too. People came together to bring cups of Cornish tea for the old man and check he was okay. People even started joining in with the painting.
Once the building was completely covered, all the people stood back to look in awe at what they had created. Each and every human smiled from ear to ear. They felt proud. It shone brilliantly in the sun and lit up the town by night. This was a new type of magic; it covered the town in layers.
Now, the once again magnificent town of Penryn can be seen in colour layered in magic. People come from far and wide to spend time in the place that makes them feel good. When a building needs painting, the townspeople come together to create something beautiful and welcome all strangers to join in too. Even you could come and join in one day!
Illustrations for the The Magic of Penryn
