Brushing Up Our Workspace: A Tale of Transformation & Community Connection

Gladstone Software have always had an office in Scotland. When I started with the company, 20 years ago, we were based in Hillington near Glasgow Airport and before that, we had offices in Stirling and were even based from customer’s premises for a short time. Some of our longest-standing clients may still remember those days! For the last 17 years, we've been based in Glasgow Business Park just off the M8 near Easterhouse. Once cited as a deprived and rough part of Glasgow, it has, like much of the city, undergone significant regeneration over the years. And with investment from the likes of Amazon on our doorstep, the area is now a bustling hive of activity.

During Covid times our office, like many around the country, became deserted, underused, and neglected. It was only at the start of 2023 that we chose to mandate a return to the office for staff on at least 2 days a week. The many months of working from home, with all the comforts that can bring, suddenly threw the stark office environment into sharp focus with its plain and clinical decor. It was clear some investment was required to bring the Glasgow office into line with Gladstone HQ, where a recent refurbishment had transformed the space into a modern and vibrant workplace. 

We didn't have a huge budget, but we had an idea of how we could not only transform our surroundings but perhaps also give a little back to our local community at the same time.

Recent meetings with The Scottish Leisure Network Group had highlighted the need for better connections between our industry and the higher education sector, and this got me thinking back to my student days in the now defunct Glasgow College of Building and Printing. During my final year, we were given the opportunity to work with real-world clients and deliver commercial projects from briefs provided. A few calls and emails later, I was in touch with John Graham, a tutor in the illustration department at The City of Glasgow College, who was delighted to offer his students the chance to engage with a local company.

The project would involve the design of 2 large-scale murals to cover the internal walls of our main office space, which were drab, plain white and grey. We put together a brief; something that would represent the Gladstone brand and bring together a combination of technology, sport, health and fitness ...all with a Scottish twist.

6 final-year illustration students were given the brief, with the intention of choosing one winner to be commissioned to paint their designs on the walls. The process lasted around 3 months with 2 onsite visits from the students to pitch their initial ideas and then to come back with amended designs following our feedback.

We were blown away by the presentations from all the students involved. Their professionalism and talent were an absolute credit to their tutors and the college. In the end, we couldn't choose one single winner and ended up awarding the contract to 2 of the girls: Martina Genovese and Falyne Frearson, giving them one wall each to produce. 

Over the summer we commissioned the girls to paint their designs on the walls ...and the finished result? Well, we'll let you be the judge ... but we are absolutely over the moon with our new and unique office space.

Falyne Frearson

Martina Genovese

The students also seemed to enjoy the process, as you can see from some of the comments below when we caught up with the girls at the end of the project …

1. Where are you from and what course are/were you studying when you heard about the project?

Falyne - I'm from Glasgow, currently living in Irvine. I heard about the project whilst studying for my HND in Illustration at the City of Glasgow College.

Martina -  Originally from Italy, I have been living in Scotland for almost 7 years. I was nearing the end of my HND in Illustration at City of Glasgow College when I got to learn about the opportunity to work with Gladstone.

2. What did you think of the brief you were given?

Falyne - When I was given the brief, I was a bit unsure of how to execute it. I'm not a sporty person but after looking further into Gladstone as a company and what they stand for, I got really excited to create work that showed the themes of Gladstone's business.

Martina - I really enjoyed tackling this project, as the themes resonated with me. I lived in the Scottish Highlands for a few months back in 2017, and had the chance to explore a lot of amazing places; so when I heard that one of the key elements of the designs was the Scottish outdoors, I knew I wanted to incorporate a beautiful hilltop view - in this case, the Quiraing ridge in the Isle of Skye, based on one of the pictures I took when I was there. Additionally, as someone who really enjoys sports and works out on a regular basis, I was very excited to create a design with various athletes, especially if I could bring in diversity.

3. How did this project and experience help you with your qualification?

Falyne - This project gave me the opportunity to work outside of my comfort zone. This was a really great experience for me as it gave me a glimpse into what being a freelancer could be like. Since working in a professional environment, I wanted to make my work easy to understand but also create different ideas which helped push me forward to achieving my HND.

Martina - I feel I was in the best place skill-wise when I carried out this project. Coming up with a successful design was the last project I tackled as part of my degree, and it was made easier by the steady knowledge learned over the past two years; whereas the actual mural painting took place shortly after my degree was awarded (June 2023), and it being my first graduate project, and on such a big scale, it was timed perfectly so as to strengthen my industry knowledge and put in practice all I’d learned.

4. What have you learned through the process? 

Falyne - Throughout the process, I've learned new ways of applying my art on a bigger scale which was a first for me as I've never painted a mural outside of my house before. I've also learned how to communicate in a professional environment, especially when trying to explain my art.

Martina - I have definitely gained and strengthened some valuable knowledge, namely planning for creative projects, considering all the logistics behind it, how to transfer a design onto a wall… but most importantly, that painting murals is something I really enjoy and would 100% be keen to do more in the future! It was hard work, but seeing my design come to life on a considerably large scale, and getting to do so myself, was extremely rewarding. 

5. What are your impressions of Gladstone as a business?

Falyne - Gladstone is a brilliant company, everyone I met throughout the process was very kind and helpful. I hope they continue to do well in the future.

Martina - I have thoroughly enjoyed my collaboration with Gladstone. I was already familiar with your services as a member of Glasgow University gym, as well as Glasgow Life - so that personal connection to the business was an added value to my work. I think the renovation of your Glasgow office, in collaboration with higher education, shows great initiative and a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that goes beyond simple physical activity. The office is such an exciting place now - if I say so myself! Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity.

6. What are your future plans?

Falyne - I'm currently in my 3rd year of university studying New Media Art. My goal is to become an art teacher to encourage more young people to be creative.

Martina - Alongside working for the admin team at the University of Glasgow, I intend to keep up my creative practice. I specialise in illustration and bookbinding, with a keen eye on sustainability; all my handmade creations are crafted with eco-friendly, recycled materials, and I love taking on a challenge when it comes to illustration. Having the mural experience under my belt will also inform my practice going forward, with a newly-found confidence in large-scale work.

7. Where can people find out more about you and your work? (websites. socials etc) 

Falyne - My Instagram is @falynef_art. This is where I post my latest works.

Martina - All my work is available to purchase on www.craftyvarda.com and https://www.etsy.com/shop/craftyvarda. And you can find me on Instagram and Facebook as @craftyvarda!