Langley Banners
The City of Langley Downtown Street Banners project transformed civic beautification into community celebration through sophisticated symbolic design that honored both historic character and contemporary diversity. Submitted for the 2023 Fall Street Banner Program, the design featured anonymous representations of hands and feet engaged in community activities like shopping, dining, sports, and education, rendered in colourless silhouettes that allowed viewers of all backgrounds to see themselves reflected in the artwork.
Project Goals:
Unity Visualization
Create a visual representation of Langley's diverse community activities and lifestyles through interconnected symbolic elements that celebrated shopping, dining, recreation, education, and outdoor activities while maintaining inclusive representation for all residents.
Discovery Experience
Design banners with layered complexity that rewarded closer inspection, encouraging pedestrians to discover hidden geometric representations of water, crops, and hills while creating conversation points and community engagement through visual exploration.
Architecture Integration
Honor downtown Langley's architectural heritage by incorporating design elements inspired by roof tiling repetition, geometric building angles, and brick pathway patterns into the contemporary banner design language.
Inclusive Representation
Represent community members through colourless silhouettes of hands and feet engaged in various activities, allowing viewers of all backgrounds to see themselves reflected in the design while celebrating diversity without specific demographic targeting.
Target Audiences:
Langley Residence
Residents and visitors walking through the historic downtown core who encountered the banners during daily activities like shopping, dining, and commuting. They needed visual elements that created positive associations with the area while encouraging exploration of local businesses and community activities.
City of Langley
Mayor, city council, and municipal staff responsible for civic beautification programs and community engagement initiatives. They required designs that enhanced downtown appeal while reflecting community values and supporting local business district marketing objectives.
Local Businesses
Downtown shop owners, restaurant proprietors, and service providers who benefited from increased foot traffic and positive community perception. They needed banner designs that attracted customers while creating a cohesive, professional downtown atmosphere.
Langley Community
Long-term residents and community organizations seeking visual representation that honored both the city's agricultural heritage and contemporary urban character. They wanted designs that fostered civic pride while celebrating the community's evolution and diversity.
Langley City Press
"I am honoured to have been chosen, and I'm excited to share with my local community what diversity and inclusivity mean to me. The biggest challenge was incorporating diversity in both people and activities, all intertwined within the fabric of our community. My goal was to capture a sense of togetherness through a medley of activities, glasses clinking, food sharing, and gleaming smiles. And that's exactly what I have conveyed!"
Downtown Langley Fall Street Banners Announced | City of Langley
Supporting Article: The original call for artists announcement Call for Artists – Have Your Designs Displayed in downtown Langley Banners this Fall! | City of Langley is also available at: https://www.langleycity.ca/news/call-artists-have-your-designs-displayed-downtown-langley-banners-fall