THE WADER TRAIL
Date: 2026
Project type: Live brief, brand identity, signage, illustration
THE CHALLENGE
Marsh Farm Country Park are planning on collaborating with their partner Bird Aware Essex Coast, creating a brand new walking trail for visitors to engage with. You have been assigned with designing the visual identity for the trail, including two main information boards, 10 bird profiles and other branding materials. The designs must be suitable for adults as well as children, as the area is there to be enjoyed by everyone.
The aim is to share information while helping visitors enjoy the area without disturbing the local bird life.
Through regular meetings with the team at Marsh Farm Country Park and Bird Aware Essex Coast, I have developed ‘The Wader Trail’, a brand new walk located in South Woodham Ferrers.
I started the project by producing thumbnail ideas which I sent to the client for feedback, from these I developed the finalised designs.
I had to develop two main boards using copy given to me by the client, which I have carefully arranged along with my own illustrations.
I developed ten bird profiles for the trail, creating each bird illustration using coloured pencils. The backgrounds (including elements such as grass, water and rocks) were created from textures produced using ink and paint, which I then edited and layered in Photoshop. I also used this same technique to create the habitat icons featured on the bird profiles.
The trail can be easily followed using either the physical leaflet
or the 'All Trails' app, which provides a digital version of the route with photographic guidance.
I have created a series of mockups to demonstrate potential merchandise for the trail.
