Whitwell Middle - Cafeteria Murals

The inspiration for this project came from typing in the school's new focus: BE THE ONE into Google and finding the art you'll see in the last picture. This conjured up images from Graphic Design school of using small black squares to make different kinds of pictures, to teach about basic design principles, which reminded me of how life is... So, the squares in this mural represent how life starts as a little child when everything is black and white and very simple. As we grow and mature, our life opens up, and "colors" or new ideas get introduced. The school plans to implement several projects along this line to get these middle schoolers thinking about differing perspectives, and their own growth and maturity, particularly in their view of the world around them and how they will respond to it. School colors dictated the palette, with the slogan being prominently placed by the squares. A huge quote (shown in the 2nd to last pic) will be installed after the paint cures, onto the red wall. The staff and students decided together what BE THE ONE means, and will place it on the red wall as suggested We didn't just paint the mural wall - we also painted the rest of the room - red, white and black - what a difference it made already!!

A quick view of the before and after - what a difference a mural and fresh color can make!! By simple paint color changes and the addition of the mural wall, we were able to completely change the environment in that room. The squares tied in the colorful floor tiles, also, making it look as if the two were designed together!

The left wall here, adjacent to the black wall has that tiger graphic on it (on foamcore). The new white color really made that graphic pop, which is now also on the tabletops. The white color really helps to complement the new mural too!

This is the proof showing the suggested placement and scale of a quote of their choosing would go (in vinyl) after the paint cures in 30 days.

This is the image I found that inspired the whole project.

Isn't it interesting how one image like this, plus your own experiences and gained wisdom and perspective can spark an entire concept!

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