LONDON REWILDED: THE AR LOCKDOWN PROJECT

Throughout lockdown the public reconnected with the natural world. Increased appreciation, new flourishing hobbies and a resurgence of nature in urban landscapes.

This allowed the natural world to recapture our imagination and express the benefits of spending time in the great outdoors. DPS students partnered with Team London Bridge as part of their Rewilding Project — working with 340 local organisations Team London Bridge is a Business Improvement District that supports innovative sustainability initiatives.

The aim of the brief was to reignite the relationship between visitors and locals of the London Bridge area encouraging exploring on foot and imagining a future where nature is aligned even more fundamentally with the neighbourhood.

Devised as part of the Team London Bridge Sustainability Strategy and the Southwark Nature Action Plan, the Rewilding brief encouraged ‘blue sky’ thinking to challenge the way viewers interact with messaging.

Our students from @briefmecollective and @huedrop.collective: Diana Barta, Zi Ning Quek, Mariana Fontes Cheniaux, Gabriela Grozavu, Katerina Boyadjieva, Nicole Briley and Lilla Cseh, did just that and designed an immersive AR app experience using their graphic design and illustration talents.

3 key areas that have seen vast improvement during the pandemic are wildlife and wildflowers, cleaner air and clearer water. These became the focus of the outcomes our students produced, with the aim to celebrate the flourishing regeneration of nature within the city.  

Having launching at the Tooley Street Triangle, the Augmented Reality experience is available to the public through their smart device and brings the landmark to life with British nature icons such as Bees, Hedgehogs and a Peregrine Falcon. Head to the Team London Bridge Instagram to take part.

The Climate Emergency is at the forefront of UAL’s strategy and local projects such as this ensure we are able to play our role in the global sustainability mission. We would like to thank Team London Bridge for inviting our students to be involved.

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Team London Bridge Instagram

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