The Children’s Accident and Emergency Department at Royal Stoke University Hospital has recently undergone a series of building works. The resulting structure made the entrance to the A&E reception a long, grey and imposing corridor. We were commissioned to create a new and inviting design to readdress the entrance aesthetic. The aim was to make the space more welcoming and friendly.
Muddy Publishing’s children’s illustrator, Matt Buckingham, collaborated with a group of students from Merit Referral School to co-design a conceptual approach for an illustrated space. Merit is a short stay school in Stoke on Trent for children with medical and mental health needs. Together, the children and Matt explored a variety of ideas, including a townscape, a jungle, and a woodland. Ultimately, they agreed that the design should represent a journey through nature.
Matt created a stunning scene that stretches over 21 metres long. This artwork features intricate elements, such as round pillars transformed into trees and a corridor window reimagined as a birdwatching hut. The countryside landscape is filled with playful animals for viewers to discover, adding an element of fun and distraction.
What a difference it makes! Check out the ‘before’ photo at the bottom of the page.
