DesignTO’s Post

Take a look at this months Inclusive Design Magazine for some great insight into inclusive design in the tourism industry. I highly recommend a read for any hotels or other leisure facilities looking to improve their accessibility. With such a large potential market it makes commercial sense to improve in order to attract the 32% of households in England and 38% of households in Wales with at least one disabled person in the home [Scope] The purple pound is worth over £249bn and is only going to grow with an ageing population. Why miss out on that potential revenue? Also, doing the right thing is always viewed positively 😉 [Scope] You may even see a familiar face! thank you to Juliet Davies for including us in the panel of amazing experts and special mention to University of Warwick who exemplify great design. My son was very impressed with the facilities as a wheelchair user. Tagging some of my hotel and cruise contacts to hopefully inspire. How accessible are your hotels after reading the struggles highlighted in the article? What great services do you offer to the disability community that we can shout about? Scott Harman Renata Paranyi Dimitris Psycharis Vicky Probert Alejandro Martínez Jiménez Sotiris Bilis Leighton Davies Penny Naoum Tegan Tranent Scott Brown Ignacio González Manolis Maris Bassam Kassem Vasilios Tsourounakis Who wants a piece of that purple pound pie? #inclusivedesign #inclusiveforall #inclusivetravel

A bit late, but a few reflections on last weeks' event at Broadway Malyan, part of this year’s London Festival of Architecture. Dr Ana McMillin brought together a fascinating panel who presented their interpretation of the event title “Reimagine Spaces”, linked (for us at least) by the threads of storytelling and how to involve communities in a meaningful way. Amongst much else, we heard: How street theatre and performance can tell some of the most important stories in society – and bring culture in a really accessible way to places that don’t have traditional venues or companies. How a temporary garden (and the unforgettable ‘Witness Tree’) enabled a team to work hand in hand with a community, understand their wants and needs and have an opportunity to try out ideas. Bringing hope, dignity and aspiration to a former red light district by really understanding the culture of a place and making sure the local people are involved in every step to define the new identity….a much more inclusive approach to ‘place branding’.   Space as a place for remembrance; and using simple, temporary installations to create an entirely different atmosphere and environment, a backdrop for story telling and sharing.   Giving space for free is a forward investment in local businesses and the wider community that enables new development and regeneration to thrive. And, by prioritising local businesses, bringing people round to a different way of using retail spaces. The importance of an active developer/investor. Next step, getting the panel together on a project? Ed Baker Denz Ibrahim Bradley Hemmings Kay Lung-Kendall Joao Soeiro Goncalves Dr Ana McMillin

Think about a place that truly feels inclusive & supportive. What Universal Need does it answer to in you? #universalneeds remind us of what truly matters beyond any divide. Together we can design a world where these values shape the spaces we live in. #universaldesign #inclusivedesign #enablingdesign #infinitedesign #customizedaging #modifyormove

Think about a place that truly feels inclusive & supportive. What Universal Need does it answer to in you? #universalneeds remind us of what truly matters beyond any divide. Together we can design a world where these values shape the spaces we live in. #universaldesign #inclusivedesign #enablingdesign #infinitedesign #customizedaging #modifyormove

I’m still buzzing from Birmingham Design Festival last week; feeling energized and inspired. There's so much to think about, but here are a few initial reflections: 🌟 The power of community: Huge congratulations to Luke Tonge, Daniel Alcorn and the #BDF team for curating an incredible schedule of speakers and fostering such a friendly, inclusive community. Such a privilege to be a part of the volunteering team too this year, thanks for having me! 🌟 Challenging assumptions: Taking risks and defying logic are essential to opening our eyes to all possibilities. Thanks to Daniel Eatock and Michael Johnson for illustrating this, and to Andy Khatouli for reminding us to consider the quirky; the things at the margins as they will enrich our perspectives. 🌟 Embracing the creative mess: As someone who struggles with perfectionism and anxiety, it was humbling and refreshing to hear honest stories of embracing uncertainty (including @the.scaries, thanks Nicola Hamilton RGD (she/her)) and the ever-evolving ‘I have some idea what I’m doing’ creative process (delivered with much humour, thanks Christopher Doyle). 🌟 Finding your own path: Something I grapple with, but I now feel better equipped to move forward thanks to both Laura Jane Boast’s ‘Live By Design Not By Default’ workshop and Ren Rigby’s insights on how to reconnect with what you love and make a positive impact on the world. 🌟 Creativity doesn’t happen in isolation of other emotions: (thank you Stephen Smith / Neasden Control Centre). This resonated with me. Life is complex. Leaning into your emotions and owning your story not only helps you relate better to the people around you, it helps you become a better designer. ^^^Lessons for life as well as design.✨

✨ Posters are powerful tools for successful Parking Day activations! ☝ Boost Visibility: With posters around the neighbourhood, we created eye-catching touchpoints, inviting more people to join in the event. ☝ Share Key Info: Posters communicate event details like location, activities, and purpose, ensuring everyone knows what to expect. ☝ Spark Community Engagement: Neighbours shared photos of the posters, spreading excitement and amplifying the event’s reach. ☝ Create a Vibe: Posters defined the space, adding to the vibrant atmosphere and encouraging people to stop and engage. ☝ Build Credibility: They lend legitimacy, showing it’s a well-organized, trusted community event. Posters go beyond decoration—they drive visibility, trust, and engagement, making your activation truly impactful! 🌟 Arup, DTAH, Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, SvN Architects + Planners, MASSIVart #CommunityFirst, #PublicSpaces, #UrbanTransformation, #BetterTogether #ParkingDay2024

One of the most impressive and widely recognized applications of projection mapping is transforming the exteriors of buildings and structures. This is called Architectural projection mapping, and it is especially popular for city-wide events, public celebrations, cultural festivals, and community engagement. Corporations and brands often utilize architectural mapping to create large-scale brand activations that grab the attention of passersby. This approach can significantly impact local communities and reach global audiences through social media, providing them with exposure and increasing brand awareness in a non-traditional way. In this video, you can see a few projects where Go2 had the chance to create Architectural Projection Mapping and bring the communities together. #BrandActivation #ExperientialMarketing #CustomerEngagement #BrandExperience #EventMarketing #InteractiveMarketing #BrandStrategy #ProjectionMapping #BrandAwareness #CorporateSponsor #SponsorIdeas #CommunityImpact #CommunityEngagement #Architectural #Go2Production #Multimedia #AVshow #CityActivation

It's always wonderful to hear positive feedback from clients. Knowing that our work makes a difference and brings smiles is what we strive for. Creating beautiful spaces truly matters! #Squarespace #CustomDesign #WebsiteDesignerInUsa #SquarespaceExperts #ClientTestimonial #WebsiteGuru #SquarekoCreation #MarketplaceWebsite #SquarespaceTemplates #HappyClients

🌟 Looking Ahead to 2025: Trends in the Exhibition Space 🌟 The year is drawing to a close, but here at Standbuilder, our sights are firmly set on 2025. We’re gearing up for a big year and are excited to have so many bookings already secured. It’s never too early to start planning, and we’re diving deep into the trends that will define the exhibition space in the year ahead. Here are some key themes we’re expecting to see: 🌱 Sustainability Remains a Top Priority Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a commitment. It's already high on the agenda, but the focus is shifting toward more innovative and impactful solutions. From modular stand designs to materials with minimal environmental impact, exhibitors and organisers are working together to make events greener than ever. 🤝 Human Connection Takes Centre Stage Exhibition spaces in 2025 will lean into fostering authentic connections. Designs will focus on creating warm, inviting environments—perfect for meaningful conversations and lasting impressions. Less “corporate,” more community. 🎨 Bold Creativity Wins Hearts Expect designs that push boundaries and stand out from the crowd. Think daring concepts, unique layouts, and storytelling that captivates audiences. It's all about leaving a lasting impression in a competitive space. At Standbuilder, we’re passionate about turning these trends into stunning realities, helping brands make their mark. What trends do you see shaping the exhibition world in 2025? We’d love to hear your thoughts below! #Exhibitions #StandDesign #Trends2025 #Sustainability #BoldDesign #EventTrends #CreativeSpaces #HumanConnection #TeamStandbuilder

*Late Post* for yesterday... Seek Accessibility Challenge! 🌟🛝 Day 20 🌈 Challenge: Visit an inclusive playground and let its design inspire you to rethink accessibility in spaces you frequent.  Alternatively, evaluate the accessibility of places you visit regularly. 📝 How to Participate: Visit an inclusive playground.  How do inclusive elements challenge your perspective on space, place, and interaction? OR Look at a place you frequent with an eye to accessibility. What’s working well? What could be improved? THEN Share: Post your observations, reflections, or suggestions on social media. Use photos to illustrate your points and inspire others to think inclusively. #InclusiveDesign #AccessibilityMatters #EFRC #InclusionMatters #Shane’sInspiration