Bivouac Graphic Design and Interpretation Studio, York

Our new book for the University of York has arrived back from print!

We designed the eye-catching 'Reflections' branding for the University's 50th anniversary celebrations, which we have applied to programmes, banners and now a prestigious book celebrating the many changes and achievements of 50 years of education and innovation.

Click here to see lots of lovely pictures.

We are delighted to announce the launch of a new exhibition at Stott Park Bobbin Mill on the edge of Lake Windermere. Bivouac has designed a lively graphic interpretive scheme for the exhibition that has transformed the Coppice Barn, with external interactive panels throughout the site.

Much of the scheme is printed direct to natural ash and leather to reflect the natural beauty of the working mill and its place in the landscape. The new exhibition and external panels have been very well received by visitors and by those working at the Mill.

Click here to see more pictures and find out more.

We've designed some funky floor graphics for York's Cold War Bunker, to tie in with the anniversary of the Cold War. The graphic, printed to Jump material by Leach Colour, goes along the entire length of the 19.5 m underground corridor. Click here to see more pictures. Click here to read our blog entry.

We've designed high quality brochures for three University of York departments: Language and Linguistics, Politics and History of Art.

The brochure concepts explore ideas around key modules areas, such as power, conflict, sound, and opinion. Papers and print techniques were selected to enhance their appeal and relevance to the subject matter.

Click here to see more images.

We've designed a lively new website for YPS, to encourage new audiences to join and take part in their exciting events.

Built by Castlegate IT, using the latest in responsive web technology, it brings their events to the forefront, and encourages interaction and exploration.

Click here to visit the website.

After a very hot, but successful installation, the bright and colourful 'Our Sporting Stories' exhibition opens at the National Coal Mining Museum, near Wakefield on Monday 11th June. Go along and have a go on the cycling interactive, supplied by Get Cycling and Ben Weaver, learn about the role sport plays in the lives of miners and their families, and listen to people's own stories of Olympic success and personal triumphs.

Thanks too to Leach for their lovely prints and installation in the hellish heat, and to Workhaus for the rowing interactive.

Click here to see more pics and info.

Bivouac! We've been busy bees over the last few months, designing two major new exhibitions for English Heritage.

The first, at Carlisle Castle, tells the story of the many sieges / characters / projectile weapons, that have occurred / visited / hit the castle over the centuries. Bivouac was lead contractor on this one, working with Paula Atkinson, Ay-Pe, Leach Colour, the Workhaus, Jo Badger and Neil Pearson to create a lively, colourful and accessible exhibition for all the family. Click here to see ITV news item. Click here to see more images.

The second, led by Leach Colour, is English Heritage's flagship exhibition of 2012, at Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian's Wall. We have designed all graphic elements of this project, including 17 new external panels and all internal exhibition panels, including a number of illustrations, maps and diagramatic case backdrops. We are currently working on the site's Welcome leaflet, jointly with English Heritage and National Trust, and the National Trust Visitor Centre, which will open when the bats move out (that's another story!).Click here to see more images.  See English Heritage's website for more information about the exhibition and opening times. See article in Museums and Heritage Magazine.

Image here shows a case at Housesteads Roman Fort Museum. © Andrew Heptinstall and © English Heritage

Both exhibitions opened to the public Saturday 31st March.

Bivouac has recently re-designed HeaTED's newsletter. Working within their existing branding, we re-styled the newsletter to give it a fresh new look, aimed more clearly at their target audiences. We printed it on heavy recycled paper to give it a modern and tactile quality.

Bivouac was commissioned by the University of York to come up with a name, and to design a brand for Heslington Studios, the commercial arm of its new Theatre, Film and Television facilities.

We made use of existing colours, used by the University to advertise the TFTV Department, but gave it a fresh new look - one that was relevant to a commercial market looking to hire the facilities or work with the students.

Click here to see more pictures...

It's been all go on the interpretation front recently!

We've just installed new interpretation materials in Station Hall at the National Railway Museum. The new work consisting of over 35 panels, coincides with a great new layout of carriages and vehicles in the Hall, that makes the most of their Royal carriages and utility wagons. Go and take a look. There are lots of fun activities for all the family at the NRM this summer.

The NRM are asking people to donate old suitcases and station ephemera, so if you have some lurking around in the attic, please contact them! Click here to view our work for the NRM.

Thanks to Extreme Displays for the print and installation.

For further images click here.

We are delighted to announce that the new Ampleforth Abbey Visitor Centre is open to the public.

Bivouac has been working on the project, turning four run-down rooms into a bright, educational and attractive Visitor Centre, for the past year. We have been project managing, designing the scheme, identifying and zoning information, creating eye-catching graphics and working with our contractors to create copy, audio, film, illustration, touch screens, lighting, interactives, print and installation.

Visit our interpretation section to find out more.

The variety of work that comes through Bivouac Towers always surprises us!

We've recently completed posters for the British Weightlifting Association's centenary event and a new website for a therapist in Hull.

Oh, and sheep! We're working on a website for a sheep farmer too. Watch this space...

We have recently completed work on the design and illustration of two interactive touch screen game interfaces for digital exhibitions designer, Joe Cutting. They are about the dilemmas and processes of Stem Cell technology and follow three characters, Molly, Jim and Bill, through their medical conditions and respective treatment.

The games have generated a lot of interest, and are going be installed in the Dundee Science Centre, The Glasgow Science centre and various science fairs.

Play the games by clicking here.

We recently worked with the lovely people at Hull York Medical School, to design a graphic interface for their 'widening participation' project, called Lucy. The HYMS team carry out regular learning programmes for school groups, where the kids diagnose Lucy. Lucy has had a car crash and is very ill. The kids have one hour to save her life, with the help of eLearning materials and student doctors.

We worked with local illustrator, Chris Jevons, to create a fun, informative and instructional interface.

The application was launched on the 12th July, and proved to be a great success with the participants and team leaders, helping to guide them through the activities and record their results.

For more info and pics visit our Projects section.

Bramhall Blenkharn's swanky new website www.brable.com is now live!

Designed by Bivouac as part of an extensive branding exercise, it's full of examples of gorgeous 'happy' architecture by lovely people. From stunning contemporary houses to restoration work, these guys deliver award-winning work for domestic and commercial properties.

Thanks to Simon at Squeegee for coding the site so beautifully, and to Tom Wexler and Mike Ward for their previous input to the web development.

Cycling City York have a colourful new website designed by our good selves at Bivouac and built by Semlyen IT.

The content-heavy site is backed by a robust content management system and is designed to be simple and intuitive to navigate.

It is packed with useful information including cycle maps, news and events taking place around the City and advice and guidance for any cyclist, whatever their age and ability.

A new exhibition has been opened at York Army Museum. The exhibition, designed and project-managed by Bivouac, focuses on Operation Herrick in the Helmand province of Afghanistan, and the Royal Dragoon Guards and Yorkshire Regiments.

The exhibition makes the most of the existing fittings and fixtures of the museum, big ideas and a small budget. The Museum has seen visitor numbers double over the May Bank Holiday, compared to the same period last year.

We have been working with Kickstart Marketing, to design new marketing literature for Horticap, a wonderful organisation in Harrogate that runs Bluecoat nurseries.

The charity, supported by Alan Titchmarsh, provides a friendly and supportive work environment for adults with learning disabilities.

The nurseries and gardens are opposite RHS Harlow Carr and sell really great quality plants at reasonable prices – well worth a visit. You can visit Harlow Carr and pop across to Betty's afterwards!

We are currently working closely with the National Army Museum's marketing and education departments to design literature aimed at schools, adult and army group visitors.

The award-winning museum, based in Chelsea, has a wonderful collection and innovative displays, and is keen to extend its audiences and educational work.

'The Leonard Stokes Directory – Architect in a Dressing Gown' was launched at the Brompton Oratory in London to a warm reception.

We designed the 168 page book about the Arts and Crafts architect for the self-publishing author, Jan Ward.

More information about Stokes, his work and the book can be found at www.leonardstokes.co.uk.

The book is available for sale for £28+p&p by contacting Jan on jan@leonardstokes.co.uk.

It was printed and bound by HSW Print in Wales.

"(Bivouac) have excelled in a design which is not only beautiful but encompasses the ideals promoted by the Arts and Crafts Movement"

Bivouac created an identity for Great Street Games, which took place in late October/early November.

In a series of outdoor games, which took place simultaneously in three North East locations; Gateshead, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, each area competed against the others in this world-first event created by media artists KMA.

The colourful identity consisted of a logo and an ident that could be used creatively in their marketing materials and interactively.

Thanks for your help on this one Angus!

We are delighted to announce that our Creative Director, Kate Pettitt, has been accepted as a member of the Chartered Society of Designers.

This is a great accolade for Bivouac, and is further reassurance that our clients receive the highest standards of design and professional conduct.

Visit the CSD website to find out more about the Society and what it means to you.

Hertfordshire-based retail, interior and exhibit designer Tom Higgins recently commissioned Bivouac to design a new brand identity for her business. The design reflects the contemporary nature of her designs, with sophisticated, yet simple design elements.

Tamsin Higgins says, "Bivouac brought inspired creativity to the project and understood precisely the look and feel we wanted to achieve for our identity."