In the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, the reporting cycle is usually 4 years. Since Perth was designated as the UK’s first and currently only UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art at the end of 2021, we are approaching the end of the first ‘cycle’ of our designation.
In those four years, Perth’s cultural scene, and our designation programme of activity have changed a lot! We were designated when there were still restrictions from COVID-19 and meeting in person was no longer the norm. However, four years later, Perth Museum is open and thriving, our galleries, libraries and public spaces are open, and our programming can once again focus on bringing people together.
To reflect the changes since we were first designated, and to incorporate the strategic development and direction of our City of Craft programming, we decided it was time for a fresh new look.
Where better to look than the wealth of talent at UHI Perth? We want to make sure that the next generation of creatives in Perth and Kinross feel ownership of their city’s designation. Working with the Visual Communication and Design students, we set a brief for the rebrand, and students could choose to use the brief for their end of year project. The selected student would have their design rolled out across the designation’s programming, would receive a prize for being selected, and have the option of a paid internship to create additional assets and meet relevant colleagues and partners.
At the beginning of May, the student projects were complete and ready to present. Each of the students who had selected the brief gave a presentation on their approach to the brief, the design ideation they went through and the various iterations of their designs, with their final designs explained and analysed.
The selected student was Lucas Graham. They went through huge amounts of ideation and iterative processes, and it was their attention to detail and attitude which cinched the selection.
Here’s how Lucas approached the brief and came up with their final designs:
“After being given a choice of briefs by our lecturers, I decided to pursue the Perth City of Craft rebrand. It was a monumental project for me, by far the most ambitious and thorough. I spent countless hours digging through any information I could get my hands on that were relevant to Perth’s unique history and place in Scotland.
I found myself going down rabbit holes of Pict civilisation & Roman occupation all the way up to modern day Perth. Approaching the brief this way allowed me and my classmates who were also tackling this project to explode with ideation and iterative design.
At the start of the designing process, it was rough, conceptual and (in my own words), terrible. But with the mistakes that I made brought more iterations of the same idea. Perth is hard to define. How can you define a city in a single graphic? I kept asking myself and others this question, but what ended up being the one design out of hundreds was what defines any artist, maker or any combination of creative individual: a mark. Makers marks or stamps provide a signature, a way to trace where they came from.
During the refinement stage of production, I kept asking people what they saw in the design to gain and understanding of how any random person would see it. The things people saw most frequently included the letter P 3 times, family, community, a stamp, the decorative motif, wheat or farming, an ancient Pict symbol and many others.
This project was extremely challenging but equally as successful. With the support of my lecturers at UHI, my classmates who also worked on this project and from Perth City of Craft itself, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
UHI Perth played a huge role in this rebrand and connecting their students to the city they’re studying in, here are their thoughts on the project:
“We are incredibly proud of our students’ contributions to the rebranding of Perth’s UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art designation—an initiative that celebrates the region’s rich cultural identity and creative potential. This live brief provided a unique opportunity for students to engage with a project of real-world significance, allowing them to apply their creative skills in a professional setting and contribute meaningfully to the cultural narrative of Perth and Kinross.
Our BA (Hons) Visual Communication and Design programmes are rooted in student-centred learning, empowering individuals to shape their own creative journeys. Through live briefs, industry collaborations, and interdisciplinary projects, students gain practical experience across branding, graphic design, moving image, social media, and strategic design—preparing them for dynamic careers in the creative industries.
We are extremely proud of Lucas, whose work on this project exemplifies the creativity, professionalism, and dedication we strive to cultivate in all our learners. Their contribution reflects the high standards and depth of engagement we encourage at UHI Perth.
Our commitment to nurturing emerging local and regional talent is central to everything we do. Supported by a diverse and experienced team of lecturers, our students are equipped to thrive in competitive environments—whether through national and international competitions, client-led projects, or professional placements.
It has been a pleasure to collaborate with Perth UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art, the team gave guidance and support throughout the research, ideation, and development stages were invaluable to our students. The openness and engagement in this project enriched the learning experience and helped bring the final presentations to life. We look forward to future collaborations that continue to shape and celebrate the cultural landscape of Perth and Kinross.”
Check out BA (Hons) Visual Communication and Design at UHI Perth here.
Check out the Perth UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art designation Instagram to see more visuals of the branding.