Printing For The Barbican
Printing for the Barbican: A Client Journey Spanning Over a Decade
At the heart of London's rich cultural tapestry stands the Barbican Centre, a symbolic landmark for both Londoners and the wider British populace. We at More Juice have had the extraordinary honour of being intertwined in the Barbican's visual narrative for over a decade, bringing to life its ethos and spirit through our diverse array of stunning graphics, which adorn the vast spaces of this iconic building.
A Deep Dive into Our History with the Barbican
The Barbican's Phoenix-Like Rise
The Barbican has a remarkable history, the area, once devastated by German bombers on December 29, 1940, during the Blitz, saw near-total destruction, with only a few buildings, like the partially destroyed Church of St. Giles' Cripplegate, surviving. The post-war period sparked an architectural renaissance led by the innovative vision of Chamberlain, Powell and Bon Architects. Their work culminated in the creation of the Barbican Centre, a marvel of Brutalist architecture and a symbol of resilience and innovation, celebrated by the Queen at its opening in 1982 as "one of the wonders of the modern world".
Five Interesting Barbican Facts
The World's Largest Multi-Arts and Conference Venue: The Barbican Centre is considered the largest of its kind in Europe, offering a diverse range of art, music, theatre, dance, film, and educational events.
Residential Living: Uniquely, the Barbican complex includes a residential area with around 2,000 apartments, making it a living, breathing part of the city.
The Name's Historical Roots: The word "Barbican" refers to an outer defensive barrier or tower in a castle, an appropriate name given the Centre's fortress-like appearance.
A Home for the London Symphony Orchestra: The Centre is the home of the London Symphony Orchestra, one of the world's leading orchestras.
Conservatory with Thousands of Plants: The Barbican Conservatory, opened in 1984, houses around 2,000 species of plants and trees, making it the second-largest conservatory in London.
Our Journey with the Barbican
Over the years, the Barbican has evolved into a beacon of arts and education, constantly challenging and redefining the realms of dance, film, music, theatre, and visual arts. Our journey with the Barbican started over ten years ago, even before More Juice became a recognised brand. This collaboration has seen us work hand-in-hand with the Barbican team, providing a plethora of designed prints that complement their diverse array of events and exhibitions.
The Art of Printing
Our Printing Portfolio
Our work with the Barbican has encompassed an array of signage solutions. From eye-catching lightboxes to engaging elevator graphics and subtle window manifestations, we have employed every tool in our arsenal to enhance the Barbican's aesthetic appeal. A notable project is the 25-metre modular lightbox that greets visitors as they enter the Barbican Centre. This piece, combining striking imagery with vibrant typography, transforms an otherwise utilitarian corridor into a visual feast, perfectly embodying the diversity and dynamism of the space.
The Collaboration Process
This journey is not just about our printing prowess; it's a true collaboration. The Barbican team's innovative designs inspire us, and in turn, we bring these designs to life through our meticulous printing process, ensuring that each print does justice to the original concept.
The Evolution of Design
Typography, Colour, and Design
In recent years, the Barbican team has been pushing the envelope in design. They've masterfully blended their minimalist, blocky serif logo with a melange of serif, slab, script, glyphic, and neo-grotesque fonts. This typographic innovation, paired with a bold and vibrant colour palette and exquisite photography, has resulted in some of the most captivating design-led advertising we've witnessed.
Our Role in This Evolution
Colour is our forte, and we've relished the opportunity to break away from the prevalent black-and-white minimalist trend in the design world. Our print specialists have tirelessly worked to provide the Barbican with prints that are not only clean and bright but also stand out in their vibrancy and clarity. This commitment to excellence is a hallmark of our brand, made possible by our state-of-the-art printing technology and our team's dedication to every step of the printing process, from pre-flight preparation to post-production and installation.
Looking Towards the Future
Our Commitment to Growth and Innovation
As we look to the future, our objective remains clear: to continuously enhance our partnership with the Barbican. We are committed to employing the latest print technologies and techniques to create an unparalleled visual experience. Our goal is to evolve alongside the Barbican, pushing the boundaries of print production to deliver work that not only captures the attention of visitors but also leaves a lasting impression.
A Word from Our CEO
Mark Robertson, our CEO, encapsulates the essence of our partnership with the Barbican: "To have a client who has not only worked with us for over a decade but also helped forge a strong, productive relationship is a true marker of success. This partnership has resulted in world-class print and design that has been admired and enjoyed by thousands of the public. I am incredibly grateful to our team for their unwavering passion and commitment to every project."