Words and Pictures
Introduction What we do: We work in the areas of interpretation and outdoor panels, interpretation panel design, planning and implementation; graphic design and print production; branding and publicity; landscape design and wildlife illustration. The Differentia core team are specialists in design, conceptual and creative thinking with a particular focus on interpretation and heritage. Differentia is a company specialising in innovative interpretive work with countryside agencies, funding bodies and local communities with a recent emphasis on the West Coast of Scotland. Subsequently we have developed our expertise to include a range of services in heritage interpretation and community design projects, which include urban and post-industrial environments. Our focus is on: Empathy: Working with organisations and fitting into the way they want to work. Flexibility: Being able to change tack and work with the clients’ own framework. We don’t dictate to the client. Delivery: Being able to deliver within budget and on time. Ideas: We are creative and able to solve problems - not create them. We are also on the look out for the BIG IDEA and thrive on managing projects in a different way. This means not just answering a brief but providing a truly creative and different way of answering the clients’ needs. We have all of the relevant policies available, such as Employers Liability, Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Health and Safety policies, etc. We are CRB cleared. Differentia Design 14 a/b Gilesgate Hexham Northumberland NE46 3NJ Tel: 0191 640 8994 design@differentia.co.uk differentia.co.uk VAT Number 764 2244 34 Registered in England: 03740779
Organisational Experience Steve Pardue Steve works mainly in the area of interpretation and signage and has extensive experience working in West Coast Scotland working on interpretation projects on Islands and small communities in Fort William and Oban. These projects include designing and managing the production of interpretation panels as well as writing management plans for Paths. Other projects that are nearer to home include working with local authorities and organisations producing education packs, information booklets, branding projects and websites. Steve works between Edinburgh and his base in Northumberland. Other projects that are nearer to home include working with local authorities and organisations producing education packs, information booklets, branding projects and websites.
Skills and services: • Graphic Design • Interpretation Management • Interpretation Design • Website design • Project Management • Copywriting • Trails and Guides • Photography • Illustration • Artwork • Training • Education and Schools outreach work • Working with Adults with Learning Disabilities
Claire Stubbs Chartered landscape architect Claire has considerable experience working on large scale landscape projects. The work she has done with Groundwork East Durham has enabled her to liaise and manage complex community consultations. She has extensive experience in detail design and contract administration. Claire has successfully managed large and small scale projects for clients such as Groundwork East Durham, working in regeneration areas, landscape design for community gardens, parks and church schemes. Claire has a personal interest in designing managing school gardens and nature areas.
Skills and services: • Landscape design • Project Management • Copywriting
Rosy Thomson Associate Director Rosy is based near Oban and runs the West Coast Scotland branch of Differentia. Rosy looks after the more technical side of website development along with managing the Scottish based projects for Differentia. With a background and training in information management, plus experience in running small tourism businesses in Argyll, she understands the needs of local businesses and their market. Rosy enjoys working closely with community groups, and finding the best solution to their needs. As well as website design, she has also worked on trail leaflets, information packs for tourism businesses and exhibition displays. Her well-rounded knowledge and photos of the wildlife of Argyll are often called upon in her design work.
Skills and services: • Graphic Design • Website design • Website development • Project Management • Copywriting • Trails and Guides • Artwork
Consultants Sitara Keppie Associate Director Sitara has a broad range of experience with over twenty years experience both private and public sectors in the UK, and abroad. Before setting up Circle Design Consultants, Sitara worked with a number of environmental consultancies including ASH and RPS as Associate Director. Recently Sitara has undertaken numerous landscape and visual impact assessments for onshore windfarm developments in the UK. She has also provided LVIAs for proposed power lines, waste treatment plants, sand and gravel quarries and hydro-electric power schemes. Sitara also has extensive experience in masterplanning, detailed design and contract administration. Design projects have included restoration schemes for landfill sites; landscape design of the grounds for the Scottish Fire Services College and preparation of landscape input to numerous planning applications for retail developments. In addition, Sitara has experience of giving evidence as an expert witness at Public Inquiry. Sitara works between Northumberland and her base in Edinburgh. For more information about Sitara’s work see her dedicated website www.circledesignuk.com.
Consultants Ray Hopper Profession: Leisure & Tourism Consultant Position in Firm: Director & lead consultant
Differentia Key Projects Isle of Luing Interpretation Project Isle of Luing Interpretation Project is a series of panels interpreting the Island of Luing (off Oban) in the west coast of Scotland and includes community consultation, illustration, research and artwork. This project was funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and a number of smaller bodies. The requirement was to produce 12 panels and 2 bronze panoramas. This project was approached in a very flexible and open manner, in that once I visited the island and got a feel for the place, I was able to hold a public meeting and address the issues raised with an informed opinion. The project brief has been expanded to allow for the provision of around 14 panels placed onto slate plinths - which have been constructed by the local community using local materials. Alongside these panels will be a set of 12 bronze engraved discs so that children visiting the island can collect a set of rubbings of images such as birds, dolphins, mermaids etc. Client: Luing Community Trust Funding: Scottish Natural Heritage Value: £24,000.00 Completed: 2008 Bronze disc associated with each panel and used as a children’s trail around the Island.
Each panel produced in GRP and placed onto Slate and Stone plinths.
Wren’s Nest Interpretation Wren’s Nest has many stories to tell – its geology, mining heritage and its biodiversity. As such, there are many different visitors to the site with many varied interests, in addition to the local community that use the NNR as a recreational resource. On visiting the site we developed a series of linked interpretation items. The site itself is a most impressive geological site and is rich in fossils. What struck us was the way the strata of the fossil mounds were upended. Our solutions uses a range of Vitreous Enamel Interpretation Panels and Cast Iron Interpretation pieces. The Cast Iron Interpretation included a large 1500 mm Cast Iron Trilobite which forms the centre of an interpretation hub that allows visually impaired visitors to collect fossils from the base. The Time Periscope allows the visitor to view the strata through it and to tell the age of the rock by aligning the hill up through it. We created a Welcome Interpretation Feature which included a map of the site with four walks to follow. The Pillar included a fossil cast in concrete as a base to give visitors a sense of what to expect on the site. There was also a set of four interpretation panels on lecterns explaining the history, nature and geology of the site. These were produced using Vitreous Enamel for longevity. Client: Dudley MBC Funding: HLF and others Value: £34,000.00 Completed: 2011
Bishop Auckland The Bishop Auckland Town Trail was a project completed in 2005. The project included eight large panels placed in and around Bishop Auckland, Trail leaflet and schools workshops. There was a number of funding bodies involved including the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project was set up to create a series of circular trails that would incorporate sites of historical interest in Bishop’s Auckland. Three main themes have developed: Built Heritage Trail, Auckland Park Nature Walk (flora and fauna), Christian Heritage Trail The resulting panels display a wealth of information linked into themes and include illustrations, maps, historical photographs, children’s drawings and historical text. Client: Bishop Auckland Community Trust Funding: HLF Value: £14,000.00 Completed: 2008
Aerial illustrations of the town used as orientation trail guides. These were used on both the panels and the leaflets.
The panels were launched by the Bishop of Durham. The panels form a strategic journey through Bishop Auckland and its environs.
Oban Community Council The project involved the design of 7 interpretation panels and Enamelled Stoneware was chosen as their base for its hard-wearing and quite simply gorgeous look. Most of the panels have been installed on the railings right on the sea front - so they face the hazards of sea, salt, wind, high intensity light, herring gulls and frost. The traditional approach would not last the course and Oban Community Council wanted something special for Oban, so they opted to use a unique but traditional method of signage. The panels are made from a natural and recyclable material - enamelled stoneware tiles - basically big tiles! This is the first time such materials have been used for this purpose in Britain. There is even an audio panel using a wind-up MP3 player which plays songs and poetry in Gaelic! Client: Oban Community Council Funding: Scottish Natural Heritage
We worked with a poet and the
Value: ÂŁ14,000.00
community in order to generate both
Completed: 2009
a an extra layer of interest through the
the historical and content and to add use of Gaelic and poetry..
The panels were Made in Stone in order to resist the salt, light, sand and herring gulls!
Sustrans Differentia was appointed to prepare the Interpretation Management Plan for a new long distance path between Campbelltown and Inverness. After successfully delivering the plan and having its proposals accepted, Differentia has been commissioned to implement the proposals contained in it. These include: Branding the Way – the Path has been branded The Caledonia Way and steel discs have been made for the use on posts, signage, gates etc. Access Controls and gates have been designed and installed following successful school workshops where we used the themes from the workshops to inform the design of the gates. The gates themselves follow the branding theme of the Highland Galley (or Bhirlinn). Interpretation signage – the panels display local information with an emphasis on the local distincitiveness of each of the loacalities. Sculptures – we have designed and produced large upright totems using oak and perform a dual function of providing wind breaks and signage Seating – we have successfully connected a heart disease charity with the project and have designed The Heartbeat Seat which is being made by a local stonemason in Fort William. These seats punctuate the Path and provide a signature design for the ABCD Trust. Artworks – we have designed and are having made a Sheep Fenke – a traditional Scottish sheep shelter. The shelter has seating to allow people to gather and take shelter. The design follows a traditional construction so it does not look out of place in the environment. Client: Sustrans Funding: Scottish Natural Heritage Value: £26,000.00 Completed: 2008-ongoing
The brand takes from history and is based on the Highland Galley. This ship was a key feature in the history of the clans. the ship was based on the Viking Ships but added a fixed rudder which gave them greater manoeuvrability. The brand informs the shape of the gates and other items along the way.
Zinc Etched panels embedded into Oak Sleepers provide a robust and long lasting solution. Stones found onsite are used as a base for the carving of poetry forming hte edges of the new cycle path. A traditional design - a Sheep Fenke - designed as a seat and poetry shelter using poems from children at Appin School.
Zinc Etched interpretation panels are used to provide a robust and accessible alternative to the traditional GRP panels.
GRP and Polycarbonate panels are used to provide colourful and informative interpretation along cycle routes and in nature reserves.
Wildlife illustration in watercolour
Perspective illustrations - Tees Barrage White Water Centre
Supporting trail maps and folder for the Bishop Auckland Town Trail.
Guide book for the Hadrian’s Wall Path. Federation of City Farms Map for the North East Region.
A set of 6 leaflets produced for Defra. This included the devising and interpretation of family friendly trails.
Quayside trail with aerial illustration and historical stickers to be collected by children.
A range of printed material
Differentia Design 14 a/b Gilesgate Hexham Northumberland NE46 3NJ Tel: 0191 640 8994 design@differentia.co.uk differentia.co.uk VAT Number 764 2244 34 Registered in England: 03740779