Week 1

For today's directed study we were sent out onto the streets of Digbeth in order to pin point certain locations that had been given to us on a map that our lecturer had briefed us on. We were to find these locations, figure out what they are and explain a little bit about them. There are 8 points, all with different questions or instructions, so here they are:

1. What is this building?

This is/was the entrance hall to Curzon Street Station. Curzon Street station opened in 1838 and was a very popular station in Birmingham, with trains incoming from London. However, in 1846, due to a company merger, a more prime location was searched for and work began on Birmingham New Street station. Once this opened in 1854, it became the death of Curzon Street station which was then finally closed for good in 1966. It has been threatened to be demolished occasionally but due to persistence of the council, it has remained as a piece of art, even if everything around it has closed.

2. What company works in this building and why might it be important to a visual designer?

This building is the home of Mission Print. Mission Print are a Birmingham based company that specialise in "Graphic Design, Litho print, Digital print and Screen printing art posters, stickers and clothing, which started back in 1995. They moved to this location, 82 Fazeley Street, in 2000. 

This would be important to a visual designer as their work is what is like to be printed on these 'canvases' for their customers specific needs. As you can see from the outside design of the building, the company is very creative and individual with their designs.

3. What did this building used to be?

This building is currently home to the London School for Science and Technology as well as other small businesses, however it used to be the home of the Typhoo Tea Factory. 

It opened in 1926 and was a heavily popular brand in Birmingham. Unfortunately it was heavily bombed during World War II and by 1941 a very limited amount of genuine Typhoo Tea was actually available. The factory closed and was left derelict for years until taken over by the university.

4. What is the name of the art gallery in this building? (Bonus points for telling me what the font is on the side of the building)

The gallery inside this building is called Centrala. It was formed in 2012 by Fine Art graduates who now work together to "foster a diverse range of events, exhibitions and projects both in and outside their studio space."

Unfortunately I do not know what the font is on the side of the building so no bonus points for me.

5. Are you brave enough to go through the big blue door? Go on, they won't bite...

Behind the 'Big Blue Doors' is Fazeley Studios. They launched in Digbeth in 2008 and are well known for being a popular wedding venue. The building has been renovated after previously being a Unitarian Chapel (dating back to 1865) and also a series of 1920s factories. It is, however, also a workplace for creative and digital companies such as "Maverick Television, One Black Bear, Madison Soho, Rice Media, Tomorrow People, Time Etc, and soon the BBC’s new Digital Innovation Unit" who are already based there.

6. Tell me something about 'The Bond' and what it is used for?

The Bond was created in 1988 "with the purpose of undertaking innovative and creative regeneration". The complex is used for many different things such as: "events, exhibitions, conferences, meetings and weddings set to the stunning background of the canal side location". 

7. What is the name of this building and why might it be useful to you as a working media professional?

This building is the home of Boxxed, a 'Business Incubator and Event Space'. It may be useful when working as a media professional because it is a space you can use to hold any events you may wish to put on and as you can see from the side of the building, it is unique and shows originality.

8. The Custard Factory - Spend some time here. The likelihood is that some of you will end up working here during or after your time at university.

"The Custard Factory is the UK's leading destination for creative and digital businesses, independent shops and alternative culture outside London". It is based on 15 acres of restored Victorian factories, hence how it got the name 'The Custard Factory'. 

The Custard Factory was opened in 1837, producing custard for over a century, but was sold on and relocated after the second World War, in 1964, leaving the factories derelict. In 1988 a man interested in re-vamping the old factories spoke to the owners and by 1993, having been granted funding, the new Custard Factory is opened. 

In 2008, Fazeley Studios were opened (as featured above), the sister project to the Custard Factory.

By 2013, more than 400 creative & digital businesses, independent retail and leisure centre's call The Custard Factory their home. 

As well as finding these points, we were asked to find an example of our own of some design in the wilds of Digbeth. 

I've chosen the Repose Bedding (Neals) Ltd ghost sign located on Oxford Street in Digbeth.

The company was known for making bedsteads, along with other popular companies of the time, such as Hoskins & Sewell Ltd. 

There is not a lot of information regarding the history of the company, however it does feature in The London Gazette 13th May 1987 where the company had been taken over by Digbeth Carpet Distributors Limited after going into liquidation.

The sign now remains on a battered and abandoned fence in the middle of Digbeth at the opening of yet another derelict factory.