A place is more than a collection of buildings, pathways and roads. Every place has meaning, and memory and a story waiting to be told. For over 15 years, we have told these stories for some of the most celebrated locations in the UK and beyond.
Locating the big, brand idea.
To begin, we start at the heart of a location and identify the overriding brand idea at its centre. Once unlocked, this idea drives every design decision: fonts, palette, photography, and language. The brand idea then unfolds through four key considerations: Sociability, Activity, Accessibility, and Image.
Sociability
How does the place feel? Is it somewhere you can call home? Is it somewhere you’d want your friends and family to visit? Does it have a broad enough offer of retail, F&B, experiential to suit a wide audience? Does the destination provide a sociable environment that is comfortable, welcoming and inclusive – creating a community to be proud of.
Activity
Are you meeting everyday needs, and providing reasons to dwell and visit? In order to attract a wider audience, for longer, you need an evolving mix of exciting destination concepts (activities and uses) that feel unique and differentiating. What will attract the audiences you want in the space? What will pique their interest? What will make them want to find out more and keep them coming back?
Accessibility
Great places are accessible for all, strengthening bonds between spaces. They should be easy to get to, easy to enter and easy to navigate. How do you draw people to the space with wayfinding. How do you communicate public transport opportunities? What about cycle racks, accessible ramps etc.?
Image
Not only do places need to feel welcoming and comfortable, they need to be authentic and differentiated. Have their own personality and atmosphere. Back local businesses and the community to build local pride, create a buzz and generate word of mouth PR through actions and a strong sense of identity and place that keeps people coming back and bringing their friends.
Our simple but effective process has enabled the creation of countless placemaking campaigns and visual identity systems for some of the most celebrated locations in the UK and beyond.
Saville Row
The Pollen Estate asked us to reimagine Savile Row for a changing retail world: modern, yet rooted in heritage and craftsmanship. Our goal was to attract new retailers, retain the legacy brands, and bring more consumers to the Row. Working with tailors, landlords, agents and fashion influencers, we built a bold new proposition. See more here.
Newcastle Helix
As the UK’s only city-centre innovation district, backed by Newcastle University, Legal & General and Newcastle City Council, this development is focused on urban, life and data sciences, it aims to turn research into real-world impact. We built a brand to match that ambition and delivered a three-year communications programme to market this transformative development. See more here.
Wembley Park
Once only meant for match days and concerts on certain days of the year, Quintain’s £3bn investment has transformed it into a thriving 85-acre neighbourhood. They asked us to shift perceptions and create a B2B brand proposition to attract leading retail and leisure brands. See more here.
Click here to see a wider selection of our placemaking case studies.
Got a project or challenge to discuss? Let’s chat: Hello@bandstand.co.uk