Wall Murals: New Industrial Careers Building

View of 90,624 square foot Industrial Careers Building. Copyright 2023 College of the Mainland. Photo credit: Scott Turnbough.

Main entry wall mural seen from exterior view. Copyright 2023 College of the Mainland.

Main entry wall mural. Copyright 2023 College of the Mainland.

Original main entry wall. Copyright 2023 College of the Mainland.

Copyright 2023 College of the Mainland.

THE NEED
College of the Mainland’s (COM) new Industrial Careers Building had stark white interior walls needing design to bring three floors of long hallways to life. In addition, a grand opening event of the building was approaching quickly in October 2022.

MY APPROACH
My design strategy would be based on a system of bold and symbolic abstract imagery with a motivational sense complimenting architectural cues. Careful considerations were also taken to extend life into each design with timeless elements. With barren walls throughout the three story 90,624 square foot building, I identified the need for 14 large wall murals, 3 elevator treatments and 5 vinyl window treatments. Walls selected for treatment ranged from 16ft to 46ft in length and up to 28ft in height. These would be approached using a combination of paint and vinyl applications. With the new building housing HVAC, PTEC and Electrical programs, the main center-focused 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 each program shared an abstract underlying use of lines: whether it be chemicals sent through pipes that could be represented by lines (PTEC - Process Technology), air sent through ducts conveyed as lines (HVAC - Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) or electrical currents sent through wires. However, a challenge existed with a mounted TV display centered on the main wall with unsymmetrical wall widths on the left and right sides. To counter this offset wall issue and design around a symmetrical TV mount, an asymmetrical approach was strategically established. A series of white lines with a red center stripe over a dark gray background represented the underlying meaning of the programs. A symbolic flow appeared to come out of the ceiling, curve around and continue across the next wall before flowing into the floor. The mural’s lined design complimented the horizontal aesthetic found in the building’s architectural steel exterior entrance. The final entry wall design is seen externally looking in through the main entrance doors.

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

The murals went on to win the bronze award in the Interior Signage/Displays category at the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) 2023 District 4 Medallion Awards spanning all of Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.

MY ROLE
Research, executive collaboration, wall placement and design strategy, conceptual illustrations, typography, branding, graphic design, project management, vendor management