Project: Maribynong River Children’s Centre Wall Decals
Client: Maribynong City Council
PROCESS:
Toddlers Engagement for Brief
Illustration Development
Artwork to Print Delivery
Artwork Installation.
The entrance way to the Maternal and Child Health Clinics and the Maribyrnong River Children’s Centre was in much need of a refresh. From white, stark walls and blocky cupboards the space was warmed up with a coat of paint and hand drawn illustrations (with way finding) to welcome families.
Developed initially through and engagement with the children of the daycare - where they selected themes and colours. The initial input was then used as the core inspiration for the illustrations developed. Executed with mix of vector and hand-illustrated elements the space was transformed to a welcoming space that reflected the local river.
NARRATIVE
“Lets play with the native animals along the Maribyrnong river.”
Across eight illustration decals we can find; a racing blue-tongue lizard, Dr. Snake-neck Turtle, a family of black swans and brown butterflies, ring-tailed possums, the lifecycle of a family of spotted marsh frogs, a set of local kangaroo species and a koala.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
There were two spaces to define, the children’s centre reception and the waiting/clinic rooms of the maternal health spaces. The more whimsical illustrations are found in the centre reception entrance and when progressing through to the health spaces the illustrations reflect a more scientific inspiration – including the lifecycle of a frog and the height order of the local kangaroo species interacting the measuring tape. To keep cohesion between the four separate rooms, they were painted a warming cream-tone and a consistent colour pallet & visual treatment of the decals.
Improved wayfinding between the maternal and child health clinics and the daycare centre – featuring simple, bold font for improved legibility from distance and across multi-language family audiences.
Considerations of how families use the space, particularly with prams. Parents rarely used the parking cupboard and often parked in front – leading to the decision to remove it. Prams were always parked up against the entrance wall – the decals were raised to ensure they would always be seen above the parking bay.
