Thamesmead Pollinator Corridor: ‘Ridgeway Connects’ Creative Wayfinding Signage
Weathering steel interpretation signage for a conservation project by a public footpath in London Borough of Bexley
The Thamesmead Pollinator Corridor Project was a habitat restoration project delivered by a partnership of organisations including North West Kent Countryside Partnership, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Ridgeway Users, University of East London, and Bow Arts, supported by Mayor of London. It took place on the area around the Ridgeway Path in Southeast London which is on Thames Water land. I was commissioned to create two Creative Wayfinding Signs to help users of the path to find their way, to inform them about the pollinators found in the area and the project to improve the habitat for them.
Nitty Gritty: Two cut Cor-Ten steel panels measuring 2m x 1m mounted on oak legs with QR code plaques and an illustrated map. Designed in consultation with the local community.
The Brief:
Create 2 signs with maximum dimensions of 2m wide x 1m high.
The signs should be made from metal or plastic
They must have a life expectancy of at least 10 years without maintenance
The signs must be safe for installation in a public space
The signs should direct people to local landmarks
They should inform people about project and possibly the industrial heritage of the area
Run workshops for the public to input into the signage design
My Creative Solution
My initial mock-ups to show the concept:
^ Ridgeway Path, Southeast London
My initial proposal was for two Cor-Ten Steel panels laser cut with stencil lettering and illustrations. For the lettering, I chose simple and impactful phrases to introduce pollinators, the wildflowers they rely on and the importance of wildflowers, with the suggestion of having a QR code taking people who wanted to find out more to a webpage with more information. I used my specialism in creating paper cutout art to compose cutout illustrations of wildflowers and pollinator for the sign. I was selected to create the signs, but this was just the beginning…
To arrive at the final version of the wording for the signs, I went to bumblebee workshops and walks as well as visiting local libraries and children’s centres where I talked to people about their use of the space, what they would like to see there, and got their feedback on suggested topics for the signage to cover, along with a bold bee ID colouring activity for children. I also circulated an online survey advertised at many local community groups. The findings and recommendations based on the survey were circulated to partner organisations who all expressed their views which were shared over several rounds and used to edit down the text.
The New Brief:
Create two Corten-Steel signs 2m x 1m and some smaller plaques to be mounted on the sign’s legs with a QR code and the logos of partner organizations
Create an illustrated map for the website showing step-free access
Cover the topics of introducing pollinating insects, introducing wildflowers that have been planted in the project, the industrial heritage of the Ridgeway Path running along the top of the historic Bazalgette sewer, the idea that the Ridgeway connects places for people and mosaic habitats for pollinators.
Include signage to local green places
Once the final wording was agreed, I arranged the lettering, taking care that the words flowed across the panels, particularly on the Ridgeway connects sign. I composed the illustrations to be made up of particular hole sizes to avoid entrapment of fingers.
Final Design:
The Result:
Attractive and durable creative signage with bold illustrations and clear messaging and directions to other local green spaces, along with a playful illustrated map to help everyone to enjoy and explore their local area.
Top Left: Meet the pollinators sign cut from Cor-Ten steel, designed by Ellen Strachan. Top Right Section: Ridgeway Connects sign cut from Cor-Ten steel, designed by Ellen Strachan; The Mayor of Bexley unveiling the signs at the Thamesmead Pollinator Corridor celebration; Artist Ellen Strachan speaking at the celebration event; A family from Waterways Children’s Centre and Mason Foundation’s Family Mile, enjoying a nature trail at the event.
Centre Left: Scarlett from Bumblebee Conservation Trust potting catching a pollinating insect for families at the celebration event to observe; A bee-fly caught at the celebration event just before release. Centre Right: Illustrated map showing the Ridgeway Path created as part of the commission.
Lower section: Details from the Cor-Ten steel signs.
Reviews from the commissioners:
“Working with Ellen has been brilliant from start to finish. Not only has Ellen produced a really appealing end product, she has also gone above and beyond the original brief to make sure that what was produced incorporated ideas collected from the community. I would highly recommend working with Ellen if you get the chance.”
“Great experience working with Ellen from Pigeon Loft Murals. Her work fulfilled the brief, was on time and budget despite the hurdles she faced getting permissions to install the artwork. Her artistic style works surprisingly well on different media including metalwork and is beautifully clear to the reader/viewer. I would definitely recommend Pigeon Loft Murals if you are looking for beautiful public signage.”
Project Partners and Funders:
