Three University of West London students have created a 42-metre mural for a community reuse and recycling hub in South Acton.
Graphic design students Gabija Butaite, Andrada-Liana Hanganu and Souad Hakim designed the artwork for ReActon, which operates in partnership with Ealing Council and the West London Waste Authority.
The mural depicts some of the activities offered at the hub, including its pre-loved school uniform service, book and toy swaps, bike repairs, clothing repair workshops and compost giveaways.
Pupils from Our Lady of the Visitation Primary School in Greenford also contributed to the project. Carter, Kaja, Mary, Mia and Zosia submitted designs for toys they would like to see in a toy swap, which were incorporated into the mural.
The project began as a brief for more than a dozen students studying BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) at UWL. The design by Gabija, Andrada-Liana and Souad was selected to be turned into the finished artwork.
Mural company Paint Your Planet worked with the students to transfer the design onto the 42-metre by two-metre wall. Recycled paint was used for the base coat, while virtual reality technology was used to help transfer the digital design onto the wall.
Dr Isil Onol, senior lecturer in Design Communication at UWL’s London School of Film, Media and Design, said: “This was such an exciting project that gave students valuable experience of professional presentation, collaboration, client communication and public-facing design practice. The students worked hard to make it a reality.”
Student Souad Hakim said: “This project gave me valuable real-life experience of working with a client, collaborating with a team, managing feedback and understanding what it takes to deliver a public artwork.”
