Thomas Matthews

The Forum Building

University of Exeter

The Forum is the University of Exeter’s stunning £48 million centrepiece designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects. Our visual identity was inspired by the new gridshell roof, uniting the building operations from sub brands, wayfinding and signage through to uniforms for staff.

What we did

Brand Strategy & Identity Design for Print Wayfinding & Environmental

Our approach towards this visual identity focused on uniting the existing separate spaces and creating an aesthetic that brought them together – echoing the architecture. Entering into the project at a later stage meant that we quickly had to deep-dive into research and ideas to bring ourselves up to speed. Collaborating with Gennaro Senatore we created a bespoke, intricate pattern that is formed by a generative algorithm, inspired by the building’s new triangulated grid-shell roof. The pattern also mimics the natural forms found within the University’s gardens and arboretum, forming the basis for the brand identity.

Photography (Architectural/Signage): Hufton and Crow
Pattern collaboration: Gennaro Senatore

Influences of the pattern appear within the bespoke display typeface and icon set. The chosen building identity’s colour palette compliments it’s architectural materials – a vivid blue, green to purple spectrum grounded by a deep black copper. A set of distinctive sub-brands represents each one of the five destinations within the Forum, defined through colour, and graphic language.

The wayfinding signage has a strong and elegant style that compliments the architecture and enables smooth navigation through the building’s complex series of mezzanine levels connecting new and existing spaces. The pattern was also applied to staff uniforms, merchandise and a special commemorative plaque to open the by Her Majesty The Queen, revealing an engraved Bronze metal antiqued plaque. The building is now in constant use by the students and is a great success for the University.

020 7307 9292 / [email protected]

We are part of the Useful Simple Trust, a family of professional design practices driving change: Expedition, Thomas.Matthews, Useful Projects, and Useful Studio. Our experienced and committed engineers, architects, designers and strategists work side-by-side creating purpose-driven design for our changing environment.

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The Forum Building

University of Exeter

The Forum is the University of Exeter’s stunning £48 million centrepiece designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects. Our visual identity was inspired by the new gridshell roof, uniting the building operations from sub brands, wayfinding and signage through to uniforms for staff.

About

Work

Thinking

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020 7307 9292 / [email protected]