Our Work
Bradford University
Working with Nomad, a Glasgow-based design agency, our team at Signs Express (Glasgow) was commissioned to help bring a bold new vision to life — the creation of The Hub, a fresh, modern learning space at the University of Bradford.
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Client Needs
The university wanted a space that did more than just function. This new area, called The Hub, would become a central place for students to access support, services, and information all under one roof.
They were moving away from the old idea of separate reception desks. Instead, the goal was to create a single, open, welcoming space where everything felt connected, a genuine “one stop shop.”
To make that happen, Nomad designed a visual identity that tied together three distinct areas within the atrium:
- The coffee shop and print centre
- The main front-of-house reception desk
- A series of meeting rooms that needed privacy but still felt open and inviting
Their concept was full of life, organic shapes, light, colour and texture, and our job was to make it all real.
The Brief
Our brief was clear: keep the design as true to Nomad’s vision as possible, and make sure the finished signage felt like part of the building.
That meant no generic PVC panels, no standard wall prints. Instead, the graphics were to be cut precisely so the colour of the painted walls could show through, helping the signage blend naturally with the architecture.
It’s the kind of technical challenge we love — because it’s about detail. Every colour had to match exact Pantone references from the interior scheme, and every line of text needed to sit perfectly straight across a 12-metre wall.
We printed each section digitally and computer-cut the shapes for precision. The design was then divided into sections with a slight overlap so that once fitted, everything aligned seamlessly. No gaps, no distortion, no surprises.
Our Approach
When it came time to install, we treated the project like a piece of art.
Each wall was checked, cleaned, and lined before fitting. Every section was laid out on-site to make sure spacing, and alignment were spot on.
The largest wall graphic stretched more than 12 metres — not the sort of thing you get a second try at. The team took their time, double-checking levels and spacing as they worked. By the end, every letter and curve sat perfectly in place.
The outcome
The end result tied the whole space together beautifully. The lightboxes in The Hub and the Atrium Coffee Shop added warmth and character, while the frosted glass meeting rooms brought subtle privacy without feeling closed off.
The graphics reflected the university’s personality — diverse, creative, and forward-thinking — with a visual style that echoed Bradford’s mix of industrial heritage and multicultural energy.
Our Testimonial
This project was one of those where design and craft came together perfectly. The attention to detail, the collaboration, the care taken with every fitting — it all paid off.
Standing back once the last panel was in place, the space just felt right. It had energy, personality, and flow — exactly what the client wanted.
For us at Signs Express (Glasgow), this job was a reminder that great signage isn’t just about being seen. It’s about how it makes a space feel.
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