f.r.a.

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from f.r.a. ⛄️⁠ ⁠ The studio will be closed for the Christmas period to allow the team to enjoy the festivities! We'll be back in from Monday 6th January. ⁠ ⁠ As always, a big thanks to our clients, suppliers and collaborators for your support this year. Here's to 2025 🥂⁠ ⁠ - ⁠ ⁠ #wayfindingdesigners #designstudio #closedforchristmas #studiohours #merrychristmas #hny #creative #signage #design #placemaking #studiodesign #seasonsgrettings

12 Days of Materials - Day 12⁠ ⁠ Delivered in multiple phases and completing this year, Cassiobury was the first new-built BTR scheme in the UK for Cortland. ⁠ ⁠ Richlite Stratum Birch, made from compressed recycled paper and FSC-certified certified plywood, was chosen as the primary material for wayfinding on this scheme. Its durability and weather resistance make it perfect for long-lasting, low-maintenance signs. Our signs used a variety of techniques, including carving into the panels to reveal the different layers of materials. ⁠ ⁠ - ⁠ ⁠ #12materialsoffrachristmas #12materialsoffrachristmas #fra #fracreative #designstudio #signage #designconsultants #wayfindingconsultants #signage #design #designfirm #designagency #wayfinding #signagedesign #designprocess #bespokedesign #projectmanagement #BTR #Cassiobury

12 Days of Materials - Day 11⁠ ⁠ Despite what might come to mind when you think of student housing, Greystar's Canvas student developments defy this, with their Paris scheme offering students a premium alternative for accommodation. ⁠ ⁠ To assist in bringing the premium look and feel to the wayfinding, hand-applied brass leaf lettering was featured to add a touch of luxury and sophistication to the system. This classic sign writing technique has enlivened our shop windows for hundreds of years, and we’re happy to see this tradition continue. You can really sense a human touch behind signs like this. ⁠ ⁠ - ⁠ ⁠ #12materialsoffrachristmas #12materialsoffrachristmas #fra #fracreative #designstudio #signage #designconsultants #wayfindingconsultants #signage #design #designfirm #designagency #wayfinding #signagedesign #designprocess #bespokedesign #projectmanagement #Paris #CanvasStudent ⁠

12 Days of Materials - Day 10⁠ ⁠ A favourite project in the studio this year, Candleriggs, Glasgow is an L&G BTR scheme that completed this Summer. Collaborating with the client’s brand and interiors teams, we developed and delivered a wayfinding scheme using 3Form to accentuate the brand’s vibrant and playful character.⁠ ⁠ 3form is a highly versatile material that enhances signage with its unique aesthetic and eco-friendly properties. Our version was a bespoke configuration that practically emits light on its own. ⁠ ⁠ 3Form has been a leading innovator in environmentally friendly architectural materials since the early 90’s. Their highly versatile ‘eco resins’ were some of the first to offer whole-life recycling processes and properly transparent EPDs. ⁠ ⁠ - ⁠ ⁠ #12materialsoffrachristmas #12materialsoffrachristmas #fra #fracreative #designstudio #signage #designconsultants #wayfindingconsultants #signage #design #designfirm #designagency #wayfinding #signagedesign #designprocess #bespokedesign #projectmanagement #BTR #Scotland #Glasgow #Candleriggs⁠

12 Days of Materials - Day 9⁠ ⁠ This year sees f.r.a.'s largest BTR project complete, L&G's New Acres. Bringing 1,000+ units to Wandsworth, London, it was important to create a wayfinding system that not only looked aesthetic, but would survive in the bustling new neighbourhood. ⁠ ⁠ The external signage was primarily fabricated using bespoke concrete; a robust, customisable material that offers long-lasting durability. Its strength reduces the need for frequent replacements, minimising waste over time. Concrete can be made using recycled materials and local resources, lowering its environmental impact. It's also highly weather-resistant, making it ideal for outdoor signage.⁠ ⁠ - ⁠ ⁠ #12materialsoffrachristmas #12materialsoffrachristmas #fra #fracreative #designstudio #signage #designconsultants #wayfindingconsultants #signage #design #designfirm #designagency #wayfinding #signagedesign #designprocess #bespokedesign #projectmanagement #NewAcres #Wandsworth #BTR

12 Days of Materials - Day 8 West Bar is a prestigious new address in the heart of Sheffield’s CBD. Opening in phases, this year saw the completion of phase 1. Here’s a photo of one of our hard working Project Managers inspecting full-sized prototypes prior to final production. Our Concept for this scheme's wayfinding design was a playful reimagining of West Bar’s history. The site was previously home to a vibrant "Woollen Signs" neon sign. In homage to that, one of the feature totems on site houses a neon green piece. We love the social impact of working with a material like neon. While there are more modern alternatives, none match neon’s unique visual impact. We’re proud to help support the skilled artisans and trades people that still craft this classic sign making technique. - #12materialsoffrachristmas #12materialsoffrachristmas #fra #fracreative #designstudio #signage #designconsultants #wayfindingconsultants #signage #design #designfirm #designagency #wayfinding #signagedesign #designprocess #bespokedesign #projectmanagement #Sheffield #WestBar #Neighbourhood

Creative Director, Wesley Meyer features today in Design Week design/leader series. Discussion topics range from sources of design inspiration, to what is a non-negotiable trait for new hires. ⁠ Take a read of the article at the link here: https://lnkd.in/gPWtqftN ⁠ - ⁠ ⁠ #wayfinding #placemaking #graphicdesign #signage #builtenvironment #design #designagency #insights #DesignWeek

12 Days of Materials - Day 7⁠ ⁠ Ashley Centre is a long-standing favourite shopping destination for the locals of Epsom, and this year completed a re-brand and re-furb. As part of this, f.r.a. were tasked with designing and delivering updated signage and wayfinding throughout the centre. ⁠ ⁠ To compliment the modern refit of the centre, Corian was used as the primary material for the wayfinding. It not only offers a sleek style, but also exceptional durability to survive the busy corridors. Its non-porous surface is long-lasting and easy to maintain, reducing the need for frequent replacements. It's also fully recyclable at the end of its lifecycle.⁠ ⁠ - ⁠ ⁠ #12materialsoffrachristmas #12materialsoffrachristmas #fra #fracreative #designstudio #signage #designconsultants #wayfindingconsultants #signage #design #designfirm #designagency #wayfinding #signagedesign #designprocess #bespokedesign #projectmanagement #Retail #Epsom #AshleyCentre⁠

Last week, our studio came together for our annual retreat, an opportunity to invest in our team's growth, creativity, and shared vision for the future. Each year, we set aside dedicated time to explore new places, reflect on our progress, and plan for the path ahead. This year, we kicked things off in Manchester, where our team gathered for a day of “business chat”. We toured two residential developments that we’ve worked on, Cortland Colliers Yard and Bankside. Our conversations spanned topics from the evolution of our industry’s key sectors, the potential role of AI in shaping our future work, and a "studio health check" to assess our growth as a team and a company over the past decade. We then set off to Berlin, a city renowned for its vibrant art scene and contemporary landmarks. Immersing ourselves in the city’s unique culture allowed us to practice the same curiosity and perspective we bring to our projects. Our explorations took us to iconic sites like the Brandenburg Gate and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, as well as hidden gems like Monsterkabinett and Dark Matter. And, of course, no December trip to Berlin would be complete without a visit to its festive Christmas markets. Our annual retreat is a valued tradition that reinforces our commitment to growth, learning, and connection. We’re already looking ahead to next year’s retreat - where should we go next? - #wayfindingconsultants #signage #design #designfirm #designagency #designstudio #wayfinding #signagedesign #designprocess #bespokedesign #creativelibrary #designinspiration #wearehiring #companyculture #studioculture #wanderfinding #studioretreat

Borough Yards by f.r.a. Blending traditional techniques with the environment, bold neon signage and subtle ghost signs perfectly complement the striking architecture. This vibrant retail and cultural destination redefines how design interacts with heritage. --- Discover more about the project: https://lnkd.in/eu4fcPXU --- Want to see more content like this? ↳ Visit our page to see our previously curated projects ↳ Follow us for a daily dose of inspiration in your feed ↳ Check out our Founder Adam for industry insights Images are all © their original owner #Signage #Wayfinding #Design #Identity #Creative #Neon #GhostSign #Mural #Architecture #Placemaking #LED #Heritage #Retail #Culture #SignSnippets