The Castleford Project

‘The Castleford Project' may be broken down into several components: the research method, its application to design and the project documentation. Anderson was commissioned to develop an identity (logo, typeface), a filmed installation and more general project graphics (posters, events, exhibition design, magazines/brochures, web site, stationery), documenting the progress of the urban regeneration project.

The project demonstrates an innovative approach to branding the former West Yorkshire mining town through a design process to engage the community into new ways of thinking about themselves and their environment as well as to address the alienation often experienced in interacting with government agencies.

Anderson’s graphic installation, ‘A Town’s Story’ incorporated the views of the residents gathered through an extensive questionnaire where they commented on what they felt was good/bad about their environment and especially what could be changed. The resident’s comments were printed onto thousands of strips of green-coloured paper and installed overnight in the town centre. Every possible location for hanging their words was covered resulting in a highly visual political starting point for conversation and debate. This unusual research method proved popular and was well received by the community and provided relevant information to help officials understand local opinion.

A similar approach in engaging communities was used for ‘Park Life’ an installation piece prompting local residents to meet and show their skills and trades with a view to how they could be used within the community. This has evolved by community spirit to become an annual fete style event.

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