The historic National Wallace Monument is taking a bold step into the future thanks to a new logo designed by students from Forth Valley College.
Stirling’s famous landmark has been given a new look by two local design students that is certain to enhance its global appeal.
Jakub Jan Bieganski (20) and Jamie Megan Noon (19), who are both in their second year of a Visual Communication HND, were given a live brief to design a new logo that would capture both the rich history and modern appeal of the Monument.
The result is a dynamic representation of the Wallace Monument experience and its setting that connects the Monument to the wider destination brand – Stirling Alive With Scotland. A shield in the shape of those used in Wallace’s time frames a contemporary representation of the Wallace Monument’s iconic crown, with the River Forth meandering through the landscape behind. Wallace’s sword completes the design.
Jakub, from Falkirk, drew inspiration from the iconic landscape that surrounds the visitor attraction, which stands above the fields where William Wallace led his troops to victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge.
He said: “My personal inspiration that appeared on the logo were the landmarks that can be seen from the top of the monument. I have tried to personalise it by using one of my top memories of being at the monument, and I remember that the thing that caught my attention the most was the river, which ended up on the design. One other was translating the history of Stirling visually, putting it in a frame of a shield.”
In normal times, the Wallace Monument would provide a striking image that the students could look out on every day from their design studio at Forth Valley College’s Stirling campus.
Jamie, from Menstrie, said: “The Wallace Monument is a big part of the local community which is why I was attracted to this project. It was also such a great opportunity for me to demonstrate the skills I’ve learned at Forth Valley College on a project that has significant influence in the local community, nationally and internationally. This kind of opportunity may only happen once in a life time.
“My inspiration came from looking through the old architectural design plans of the Wallace Monument, and I hope I brought my design alive by combining my gothic imagination and the colour palette from the destination brand.”
On a recent visit to the Monument, the students saw how their designs have been applied to signage, leaflets, staff uniforms and an array of gift shop items including glassware, water bottles and handmade chocolates. The new logo will represent the Monument to visitors across the globe and its young creators now have a major client for their professional portfolios.
The iconic structure has recently reopened to the public in line with the easing of Scottish Government coronavirus restrictions, offering upgraded exhibition galleries, including an interactive Battle of Stirling Bridge Experience.
Visitors can also explore the Abbey Craig, with newly opened, expanded views, or climb the famous spiral staircase inside the Monument itself and take in the amazing scenery from the Crown.
The Monument will also be one of the attractions featured in the Stirling City Pass in 2021, alongside Stirling Castle and The Old Town Jail.
Convenor of Stirling Council’s Finance and Economy Committee, Councillor Margaret Brisley said: “Jakub and Jamie have delivered an outstanding new logo that truly captures the essence of the scenery, history and entertainment which the National Wallace Monument offers to all its visitors.
“The Monument is one of our flagship visitor attractions which attracts people from all over the world. The students were given the freedom to express themselves and the standard and professionalism of their work has delivered a logo which we are proud to display around Stirling and beyond.
“I hope this experience provides invaluable help to both Jakub and Jamie as they look to progress further in their careers in the world of design.”
The National Wallace Monument returned to Stirling Council control last year and, as a thank you and gift to Stirling residents for their efforts and sacrifice over the past 12 months, the Council are offering them admission to one of Stirling’s premier tourist attractions free of charge.
Vice Convenor, Councillor Alison Laurie, said: “Stirling truly offers a tourism mix that is hard to rival anywhere else and the fantastic new logo will help the Monument stand out among the crowd.
“The hard work and passion that Jakub and Jamie had for this project has shone through in their final design and, amongst some very tough competition from their fellow students, it is a worthy winner to showcase a treasured local asset that brings a sense of pride to all of Stirling.”
Forth Valley College Principal, Dr Ken Thomson said: “Congratulations to both Jamie and Jakub for their excellent work on creating the design for the new Wallace Monument logo and branding.
“They have put their own mark on an attraction that has a truly global appeal and this experience of working on such a high profile live brief will without doubt serve them well as they complete their course and take the next step in their careers.”
FVC Creative Industries Lecturer Kirsteen Wright, said: “It was exciting to be approached by Stirling Council to design a new logo for the Wallace Monument – an icon we look out on from our design studio at the Stirling campus every day in normal times.
“Live briefs create excitement and anticipation amongst the students, allowing them to put into practice the creative process they have learnt, add to their portfolios and gain experience presenting to a client. With each live project, the clients we have worked with have been blown away by the standard and professionalism of the students from Forth Valley College, and Stirling Council had a difficult task choosing a winning logo!
“I was proud of how hard the students worked, their focus and drive was evident in the amazing concepts they created for this project. The final logo by Jamie and Kuba is outstanding, we look forward to seeing it displayed around Stirling and beyond.
“We would like to thank Stirling Council for being very supportive of the student project, they treated the students as professional graphic designers and provided regular constructive feedback. We look forward to working with them in the future – I hear that next year is 20 years since Stirling became a city and project ideas are already forming, watch this space…”
Find out more about the HND Visual Communication course here.
