Arts Invasion Staircase
2019
​
Graphic Mural
Mixed Media
Installation
Prototyping
As part of Messiah College’s Arts Invasion event, Graphic Design seniors from the Department of Art and Design developed a collaborative installation to promote campus-wide engagement with the arts. With various classes contributing work, either displayed or created live during the event, it was decided that our team would design a staircase mural in a high-traffic, central location to spark curiosity and raise awareness among students and faculty.
Concept Development
We explored several design directions for the mural, each aiming to engage viewers in different ways. One concept used bold, energetic colors and the phrase “BE BOLD” to inspire confidence and capture attention. Another focused on functionality, using typographic design that allowed viewers to read the word “up” or “down” depending on their direction of movement on the stairs. We also created a small 3D-printed model to better communicate our vision and refine the concept for our final proposal.
Final Design
The final mural combined the bold color palette of the first concept with the functional typographic strategy of the second, creating a visually dynamic and context-aware installation that guided and engaged viewers as they moved through the space.
Production & Installation
The design was professionally printed by a local vendor and installed by the senior design team. This approach provided a high-quality, low-cost solution. The mural was installed on the Eisenhower stairs outside the campus dining hall, where its vibrant colors exceeded expectations. Its visual impact was so strong that the college president requested plans to make the mural semi-permanent, with reinstallation scheduled for Spring 2020, but never occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.