Bowmer & Kirkland (B&K) is continuing work to build a new 228-room hotel in Edinburgh.

The contractor is developing the Hampton by Hilton hotel in the city's Fountainbridge area.

As part of the project, B&K teamed up with first-year graphic design students from Edinburgh Napier University to produce 32 new creative hoarding panels for the construction site.

Working individually, each of the 30 students have produced a number of designs that depict many of the key historical elements of the area.

Highlights include eye-catching interpretations of Sean Connery, who was born close to the development in Fountainbridge, the area's rubber industry through the ages, the Fountainbridge community, the Union Canal, and the area's links with Burke and Hare. In addition the work of B&K, including its work in the community and importance the company places on site safety, have all been unveiled as part of the project.


Mick Dean, lecturer in graphic design at Edinburgh Napier, said: "We were delighted to be approached by Bowmer & Kirkland for this creative project and it's great to see the impact our students' work has had on the aesthetics of the site.

"The project has given our first year students a valuable insight into both graphic design software packages and the considerations required for working on a project of this size and stature – it's been a fantastic development opportunity for them."

Philip Bates, B&K project manager, said: "Inviting the students to design graphics for our hoarding is a great way to improve the profile of our site and it now acts as an information hub for people who walk by. Fountainbridge has been an important part of the city since the 1600s and it made perfect sense to highlight its history on our site hoarding."

Image: Philip Bates, project manager North East and England at Bowmer & Kirkland and Mick Dean, lecturer in Graphic Design at Edinburgh Napier with Edinburgh Napier's first year Graphic Design students at Fountainbridge.

(LM)