131 Design is no ordinary design agency. As well as delivering commercial graphic design and photography for print and web based applications, we also work with groups of young people across Hampshire, running creative workshops. Our distinctive style of high tempo, high out-put workshops have established a dynamic niche in this market. We are able to do this as Dan Bernard and Gail Baird of 131, have between them taught and lectured in art, design, graphics and photography. Whilst in Further and Higher Education, they established new courses and innovative teaching and learning strategies for marginalised young people, winning two Beacon Awards.

Whether it’s a group of young primary school children, an older peoples’ club or group of disaffected and marginalised young lads, we will work with you and them to develop a creative solution and outcomes.

This Young Roots seed project with Brune Park Community College, investigated heritage and history through film. This workshop explored their research using film, about Knowle Hospital in Fareham, to identify and extract a coherent story line, and went on to look ways of developing this into an exciting and original piece for the second half of the project. This film was their research and story board.

Gilbert White Museum workshop.    "Thanks to you and Dan for your amazing work yesterday, the young people responded really well to you and the final exhibition looks fantastic." Sophie McLean Youth Arts Development Manager - The EDGE Project.

‘Discovering D-Day’, commissioned by Portsmouth’s Museum and Records Service (PMRS). 131 designed and facilitated a series of creative workshops for the young people at Hillside Young Peoples Centre in Paulsgrove, North Portsmouth.   The aim of the project was to engage young people aged 8 – 18, an age group that museums traditionally find difficult to reach, with the Museum’s collections to develop and create their own responses.

Planned in three parts, the project included a series of art-based workshops with visits to a range of cultural and historic venues, including the D-Day Museum. Graffiti Art was used as a hook for the first set of workshops, with the ‘Secret Art’ workshops following.  The whole project concluded with an exhibition ‘Margins’ and a book, “Introducing the ‘M’ Word’, Engaging young people with Museums and Cultural Services”.

The book is a permanent record, credible legacy and celebration of the work and commitment of the young people of Hillside Young Peoples Centre and all those involved.  In addition to showcasing the work and talents of the young people at the centre, ‘Introducing the ‘M’ Word’ documents the successes and hurdles encountered whilst delivering the project and can be used as a model for future projects, to engage young people with their culture and heritage. It was published through Tricorn Books, a trading name of 131 Design.

The exhibition ‘Margins’, came about through discussions with the Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham. 131 Design had been working with a number of different groups of young people across Hampshire and wanted an exhibition at a high profile, professional arts centre to mark the ending of the Hillside project and as an opportunity to showcase work from the other groups of young people.  It is planned for Margins to become an annual exhibition for young people, by young people.

Rowner Art project

This project was delivered through a series of creative workshops with a group of young people who meet at the community centre in Rowner, Gosport.  The group work is organised by Groundwork Solent and the workshops designed and facilitated by Gail Baird and Dan Bernard of 131 Design, Portsmouth. Gail and Dan constructed a framework of activity within the sessions, deliberately keeping the direction and outcomes flexible so they could respond to the interests and input of the young people. This meant the outcomes would be achievable, realistic and appropriate. Initially, the group were let loose with a range of cameras to record and document what interested them from their immediate surroundings. This activity led to them developing a ‘fashion show’ theme for the work.  They used their photography to produce a series of mono prints, from which they produced a range of t-shirts that they styled, modelled and photographed as their final outcome. The range of creative work produced was delightful in it’s quality and subtlety. It reflected the group’s engagement, commitment and enthusiasm for the project and was full of energy and imagination. The young people worked intuitively with the cameras and imagery, surpassing and surprising themselves with their outcomes. They also provided no end of support for each other and were an absolute pleasure to work with.