Arts map commissions 2024

We are looking for two students to produce new illustrated maps which will be used in printed materials that will be distributed from the start of the 2024/25 academic year.  

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in working to a brief – and earn some money! The finished piece can become part of your portfolio of work and will help with your future employability. 

There are two commissions available: an updated arts map for London; and a brand new arts map for Loughborough.   

In both cases, LU Arts will produce the information for the reverse of the map, which will be designed by the University’s Brand, Creative and Print Services.   

Brief & Details

Brief 

To produce a new illustrated map of the area surrounding Loughborough London’s campus in Stratford. The map should include key arts venues and organisations.  

You will be put in contact with key university staff who are based in London who can help advise you on the local area and places to include. As part of the commission, you will be expected to visit the area for at least one day. Travel costs will be covered.  

Background  

LU Arts first produced an arts map for London students and staff in 2019. The aim of the map is to familiarise people with the local arts offer in the vicinity of the London campus. This has been presented in a printed format with information on LU Arts and selected arts venues on the reverse of the fold-out map.  

Since 2019, the information on the reverse has been updated on a regular basis but the illustrated map has remained unchanged. 

Brief 

To produce a new illustrated map for Loughborough and the surrounding area to promote the arts venues, facilities and organisations on offer. A list of suggested places to include will be provided by LU Arts but some further research is likely to be required.  

You will work closely with us as we advise you on the local area and places to include. As part of the commission, you will be expected to visit the area for at least one day and potentially meet important people in the local arts community.   

The finished Loughborough arts map will be given out to students and staff to help promote the local arts scene.  

These opportunities are only open to Loughborough University students including those from our London campus, ideally those studying Graphic Communication and Illustration. It does not matter which year of study you are and final-year students who will graduate in July are eligible. Postgraduate students can also apply.  

London arts map: £750 plus travel for one trip to London 

Loughborough arts map: £900 

The illustrated maps must be completed (and signed off by LU Arts) by 31 July 2024. Please make sure you can complete the work within this timeframe before applying. Other than the visit to the London campus, you do not need to complete the work within standard office hours. 

Deadline for expressions of interest: midday on Wednesday 5 June 2024  

We may produce a shortlist of applicants and invite you to attend an informal meeting (in person or online) during w/c 10 June 2024. We aim to notify the successful candidate by Friday 14 June 2024. 

The chosen students will then have an in-person or online meeting with us to discuss the brief in depth to help them understand what we are looking for. 

We want this opportunity to be accessible to all students. We welcome applications in different formats e.g. audio, if this is more appropriate for you.  

If you would like to discuss any accessibility issues in advance of applying or to discuss how the opportunity can be made inclusive for you, then please email LUArts@lboro.ac.uk or call 01509 222948.

Application form

Please click here to apply via Microsoft forms

Find out more about previous commissions

Loughborough London Arts Map (2019) by Josie Gledhill

Josie graduated from Loughborough University in 2015 with a degree in Visual Communication (Illustration). She has since been employed as an artworker for a party and wedding company, before becoming a freelance illustrator based in Manchester.

A map of Loughborough University London and it's surrounding areas
Click above to view the Loughborough University London Arts Map (2019)
A smiling woman wearing glasses with long brown and red hair holding a stack of five illustrated boxes

"For the Loughborough in London art map, I wanted to create something that reflected the vibrant personality of the location, and something that was both informative and attractive. I visited Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to get a sense of the area and to do some sketching and to photograph some of the location points on the map.

I really enjoyed the process of using the materials I gathered to create the final map, and hope that I have managed to effectively capture all that the area has to offer!"

Loughborough University Sculpture Map (2023) by Lauren Jeffries

After being awarded the Edward Sharp Prize for Graphic Communication & Illustration, Lauren Jeffries was commissioned upon graduating in 2020 to design a map celebrating the collection of sculptures showcased across the Loughborough campus.

A green illustrated image featuring imagery of campus sculptures and two people pointing upwards
Click above to view our Campus Sculpture Map
A white woman with short blonde hair and glasses smiles in front of the Hazlerigg building holding a blue and green illustrated map

"For the Edward Sharp prize, I was commissioned upon graduating to design a map celebrating the collection of sculptures showcased across the Loughborough campus.

Creating this map has been a nostalgic journey for me. I have fond memories of studying at Loughborough University, where my current company was conceived. I spent countless hours around the sculpture collection during my years as a student, and illustrating this map allowed me to relive those cherished moments."