‘Arts & Minds’ brings Peel L&P & University of Salford together at The Vic

Peel L&P has teamed up with Design Manchester to work with graphic design students at The University of Salford to create a piece of artwork for the remodelled character building, The Vic at MediaCityUK.

The ‘Arts & Minds’ project, which encouraged students to explore and reflect on mindfulness and wellbeing in the work place, was won by third year graphic design student, Josh Lyon. John Owens, Artistic Director at Design Manchester and Zoe Nixon, Creative Manager at Peel L&P worked with the students throughout the process and selected the winning design.

Incorporating simple shapes from the window panels and crescent shapes of The Vic, and inspired by Josh’s meditation in his spare time, the artwork will be showcased at the newly refurbished workspace. Josh’s brief has since been extended and he is now set to work on designing some additional artwork in the lobby areas of the building.

Josh said: “I believe this experience and opportunity has been a significant stepping stone in my design journey and the beginning of a career in graphic design. Having my work selected by John and Zoe has felt surreal, as I have never won anything before in my life, and I have enjoyed the process of developing the design, experimenting with colours and taking on feedback to create a strong portfolio piece.”

The piece features a quote inspired by the building’s waterfront location, which can be admired through the dramatic floor to ceiling glazing in the lobby. The quote inspires people to stop, pause for a moment and enjoy it.

Zoe Nixon, Creative Manager at Peel L&P said: “The brief we set was focused on health and wellbeing as The Vic has been transformed to support a healthy life-work balance with health, wellbeing and mindfulness at its core. We would like to thank all students for taking part in the project and we look forward to welcoming Josh and his fellow students to the official building launch to unveil the installation this summer.”

Following a £9m transformation of the 115,000 sq. ft. building and its external spaces, The Vic is one of the most desirable waterside locations in Greater Manchester.

Launching in Summer 2019, The Vic has been redesigned and extensively refurbished to mirror the needs of the modern workspace occupier. It incorporates spaces for flexible working inside and out of the building as well as waterside ‘sensory’ green spaces to promote calm and mindfulness. To help support good health initiatives on the way to the building and on arrival, The Vic will feature an enhanced, secure on-site bike hub, locker and shower scheme, as well as dedicated fitness areas for Yoga and Pilates, reflection/prayer room and an enhanced ‘Bean’ café on the ground floor.

John Owens, Artistic Director at Design Manchester said: “A big part of what we do at Design Manchester is create a platform for new creatives to showcase alongside globally respected work and to do that we work with an array of commercial partners, such as Peel L&P. Peel L&P appreciate the positive impact of creative and inspiring environments within their buildings and the new spaces at The Vic provided a perfect showcase for this project”

“We would like to congratulate Josh on his achievement and encourage even more students to get involved with similar projects in the future.”

In addition to Josh’s winning artwork, six external panels will also be installed showcasing artwork from students who produced work to the same brief.