Motions
of Waterloo
Fostering belonging and celebrating diversity through a large-scale mural at the University of Waterloo
Timeline
Feb - April 2024
Role
Art Director, Illustrator
Tools & Services
Procreate
Notable achievement:
1 of 4 selected student artists commissioned by the University of Waterloo.
A massively captivating problem
The goal of this project was to transform the Ron Eydt Village (REV) community centre at the University of Waterloo to help beautify the spaces and reinforce a sense of belonging for all residents. As part of a multi-year initiative by Campus Housing to promote equity, anti-racism, diversity, indigeneity, and inclusion, I was tasked with designing a 17ft x 5ft mural, an exciting challenge that offered countless creative possibilities.
The process to be selected involved 3 phases: ideation and proposal, a community-wide selection round, and a final collaborative refinement of the piece.
Step 1: Concept Proposal
I grounded my concept in the phrase “Together, we create.” Rather than represent diversity through literal portraits or symbols, I illustrated the everyday moments that build community — students walking, collaborating, and exchanging ideas.
The color palette blended the official faculty colors into a unified spectrum, symbolizing how different disciplines and identities form a greater whole. Architectural lines from the campus’ buildings guided the viewer’s eye through the piece, reinforcing flow and interconnectedness.
My concept advanced through a competitive selection round where over 200 faculty and student staff voted. It resonated deeply with the community and was chosen as the final design.
Step 2: Refining
I explored various styles through mood boards and sketches, leaning towards a modern, semi-futuristic illustration style. I wanted the piece to feel fresh, lively, and reflective of Waterloo's forward-thinking spirit while remaining approachable and warm.
Filling linework with colors (my absolute favorite part :)
Step 3: Iteration
After submitting my first draft, I received valuable feedback from the Selection Committee.
Contrast adjustments: Some figures blended into the background too much. Adjust contrast and skin tones to create more visual separation and reflect a broader range of ethnicities and hairstyles.
Signature placement: Since the mural would hang high above ground level, the team requested a smaller, subtler signature.
Sky revisions: The original sky featured constellations, crests, and abstract lines — elements the team felt detracted from the scene below.
The Mural
The completed mural is a dynamic, layered depiction of Waterloo's campus and community. Divided into three interconnected sections — the Ion LRT, campus architecture, and an expansive sky — the piece guides the viewer's eye upward, symbolizing growth and possibility.
At its heart, the phrase "Together, we create" anchors the composition, celebrating the spirit of collaboration that defines the university. From casual conversations to radiant sunbeams and cosmic swirls representing limitless potential, the mural captures the transformative power of human connection.
Key landmarks like the Dana Porter Library, Davis Centre, and Engineering 7 lend the piece a sense of place, while the faculty-inspired color palette ties everything together in a vibrant, inclusive tapestry.
