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Watford Town Centre BID.

Watford Town Centre BID hanging banner

Leading the way around town with vibrant branding.

After successfully rebranding the Watford Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), We Are Acuity had the opportunity to apply the new look throughout the area – always a nice task to implement a brand you've worked hard to bring to life.

We were confident that the new brand would be easy to deploy (we had made sure of that)...

Listen instead?

Watford Town Centre BID Banners | Work | We Are Acuity
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Challenge

Commissioned to design an array of banners to be displayed along Watford High Street and its surrounding areas, the banners had to serve a dual purpose: to promote the new brand identity we developed, and to clearly mark different zones within the town centre. A total of 35 locations were chosen for these installations.

35 banner locations, 30 bespoke icons, 15 banner designs, 7 demarcated zones

Insight

To maximise the budget, we proposed a solution based on a templated design where text edits and alternative colour ways could generate lots of different banners efficiently. Our approach wasn't just about cutting costs; it was about creating a versatile and dynamic system that could adapt to various needs with minimal effort. Each banner could be easily customised to reflect different messages or themes.

We also wanted to capitalise on the potential these banners could offer visitors to the town centre. By thoughtfully designing these banners, we aimed to create a more engaging environment for everyone:

Simple demarcation of zones felt irrelevant unless each zone had its own identity which could be communicated. So, we designed banners that not only achieved this but also conveyed a sense of place and purpose, helping visitors intuitively understand the character and function of different parts of the town centre.

The banners could also act as directional way finders. Beyond just marking zones, they could be strategically placed to guide visitors to retail areas, dining spots, and leisure attractions. Clear and visually appealing directional cues on the banners would make navigation easier, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

In essence, these banners would serve as a multifaceted tool for both communication and navigation, enriching the town centre's atmosphere and making it more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Watford banner design in Adobe InDesign window

View of icons designed to represent the different businesses in Watford Town Centre

Solution

By leveraging Watford Town Centre BID’s vibrant colour scheme and the eye-catching pattern we had previously developed, we crafted six new pattern variations, each tailored to a specific zone. Collaborating closely with Watford Town Centre BID, we pinpointed the businesses within each zone and categorised them into four groups: Entertainment & Leisure, Dining, Retail, and Services. To ensure the designs had lasting relevance, we refrained from naming individual businesses, focusing instead on the enduring types of businesses in each area.

With a clear understanding of the business types, we created a set of 30 representative icons to feature on the banners. Incorporating directional arrows to assist visitors in navigating the area increased the number of required designs our templated approach streamlined the process.

In addition to the icons, we enhanced each zone's identity with a concise call-to-action. For instance, in the dining-rich zone, we included the phrase "Find your flavour on King Street" to invite exploration.

Photos of hanging banners in-situ around Watford town centre

Results

Our client was thrilled with our excellent communication and timely completion. From the first consultation to the final delivery, we made sure every step was clear and met their expectations. Their feedback says it all:

“They look absolutely spot-on – we really like them. Great work and thanks for turning them around so quickly, it leaves us with plenty of time to get them in place for when we scheduled.”

Their praise underscores how crucial it is to not only meet but exceed expectations by delivering top-notch work on time. This kind of feedback keeps us motivated and confirms our belief that effective communication is essential for project success.

 

In June 2024, the first month of the banners being up, Watford Town Centre BID saw:
+882.8% visitors to watfordtowncentre.com.
+106.2% social media impressions.
+127.9% social media followers.

 

If you enjoyed reading this, check out our Watford Town Centre BID rebrand case study here. 

If you’d like to talk about your brand’s local marketing, schedule a FREE 30-minute assessment here. It will be well worth your time.

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