Hospital Art Studio Blog

ILLUSTRATIONS – GEOMETRIC OR BLOWSY?

26 October 2012

As funding in hospitals tighten we have needed to find work through our other sources, and therefore have been concentrating more on graphic design projects such as: packaging, exhibition design, leaflets, copywriting and illustration.

One particular pitch for a hospital in London that was almost at commission stage was suddenly cut short through lack of funds. Would I have to consign all my creative ideas that had been flowing throughout the pitch to the bin? Determined not to let this happen I consequently have been letting my creative thoughts take flight during in-between phases of work.

Over the years I have taken many photographs of plants in our garden. Realising that when viewed closely many flower heads can be de-constructed into repeat patterns, I have taken their structured form and contrasted them against their irregular leaves. This is now a self-initiated project to excite and expand on, as I can see many variations of patterns in the assortment of flower forms found in our garden. I have created each as a separate image, though this was never my final objective, as I had intended to amalgamate them into gardens of geometric plants, to fill and brighten bare healthcare walls and also using feature shapes to aid in wayfinding.

Another concept could be viewed as separate ‘pictures’, exploiting more blowsy flower forms. I have taken my initial illustration and used it as an experiment, pushing it further down a route to its conclusion until it resembled etched glass windows. I could envisage this style printed onto Perspex, mounted using spacers to lift them clear from the walls to further highlight their vibrancy. These flowers also have a tie-die feel that could be further carried onto fabric, such as privacy curtains around hospital beds.