Iconic Signs

University of Bristol

We are very proud of this trio of signs that celebrate and interpret University of Bristol Research Institutes. Each piece is a unique combination of materials and construction designed to emphasis the subject matter. The signs stand proud at three metres tall and can be found at specific gateways into the University’s city campus.

The most recent addition to the collection is a solid oak tower that embodies the work of the Bristol Heart institute and has been designed to reflect the relationship between human life and nature. Blending in amongst the trees, it joins many other works of art in the Royal Fort Gardens.

The oak panels are laser cut and hand painted to represent the human cardiovascular system and if you get close enough you can even hear the low thud of a heartbeat coming from within the statue day and night. The university of Bristol’s very own living statue!

The iconic signage project was started back in 2015 with totems dedicated to the Bristol Population Health Science Institute and the Bristol Bio Design Institute. We worked with the University’s local artist in residence Claudia Stocker whose illustrations focus on interpreting scientific data and visualising scientific subjects like molecular biology.

The first totem was dedicated to the Bristol Bio Design Institute and is built with a series of aluminium powder coated panels that have been laser cut to create a three-dimensional relief of natural forms and biological shapes; the relief gives the monolith depth and reflects a bubbling landscape of micro-organisms. The sign can be found standing at the bottom of the steps in front of the David Smith building on St Michael’s Hill, Bristol.

The second iconic sign is dedicated to the Bristol Population Health Science Institute. The design focuses on a strand of DNA and represents the passing of genetic material from generation to generation. Located by the Wills Memorial building, the vivid magenta and black print really stands out within the Park Row garden. At night you may even be able to see the flash of a car light up the sign as the DNA strand has been cut from a reflective vinyl.

Years in the making, we’re very proud of the collection and we look forward to more creative projects like this. Browse through our portfolio to see more work we’ve done for the University and head to the 3D page for projects similar to this one.