Saint Denis

In september 2018, two schools and a gymnasium welcomed kids in the northern suburbs of Paris.

In collaboration with Christine Mathieu, creative director of the graphic design studio atelier l’épicerie, we studied the architecture of Atelier Novembre to understand how graphic design could improve its use.

01. Research

Looking at the architecture

Our first task was to look at the archicture by Atelier Novembre. Understand its strengths and gaps in order to complement the overall experience with our designs.

Looking at the architecture

Our first task was to look at the archicture by Atelier Novembre. Understand its strengths and gaps in order to complement the overall experience with our designs.

Space

Understand the space is key in order to get a first grasp on the impact of the signage.

03. Concept

Create a sense of place

The first gap we found lies in the location of the new schools. They are both located in a newly built area with no previous identity, it used to be factories.

Therefore we looked at integrating the famous local artist Michel Quarez into our project.

Michel Quarez

We used his style as art direction for the signage and briefed him in doing three murals. One for the all school, one for the nursery, one for the primary school.

Bringing kids together

By looking at the architecture we also found that despite being on top of each other, the schools were strictly divided between the 3 to 6 years old, the nursery and the 6 to 11 years old, the primary school.

We therefore wanted to create a colour link between the two age groups, as a symbol of growth and belonging.

Bringing kids together

By looking at the architecture we also found that despite being on top of each other, the schools were strictly divided between the 3 to 6 years old, the nursery and the 6 to 11 years old, the primary school.

We therefore wanted to create a colour link between the two age groups, as a symbol of growth and belonging.