Key Points
- Collaborative Design: Three BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) students from the University of West London (UWL), Gabija Butaite, Andrada-Liana Hanganu, and Souad Hakim, have created a mural that is 42 metres in length on ReActon, the community hub in South Acton.
- Purpose and Theme: The mural aims to draw attention to the circular economy projects available at ReActon, which include pre-loved school uniforms, book/toy swaps, bike fixing services, clothing repair classes, and compost distribution.
- Community Engagement: The mural includes toy designs made by children from Our Lady of the Visitation Primary School in Greenford, Carter, Kaja, Mary, Mia, and Zosia.
- Professional Collaboration: A team of mural artists, Paint Your Planet, helped paint the mural on the 42-metre by two-metre wall using recycled paint for a base coat and virtual reality technology for mapping the digital design on the wall.
- Education and Professional Benefits: The mural was commissioned as a result of a live client brief, conducted by Dr Isil Onol.
South Acton (Extra London News) August 19, 2026 – A vibrant 42-metre mural has been unveiled at the ReActon community reuse and recycling hub, marking the culmination of a collaborative project involving students from the University of West London (UWL) and local primary school pupils.
The expansive artwork, which stretches across a 42-metre by two-metre wall on Stirling Road, serves as a visual celebration of the circular economy initiatives supported by ReActon, a hub operated in partnership with Ealing Council and the West London Waste Authority.
How did the student design process unfold?
The project began as an academic brief for over a dozen students studying BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) at UWL. According to reporting by the London Post, the initiative was led by Dr Isil Onol, a senior lecturer in Design Communication at the university’s London School of Film, Media and Design.
After a judging panel reviewed the submissions, the design proposed by Gabija Butaite, Andrada-Liana Hanganu, and Souad Hakim was selected. The panel praised their proposal for both the quality of its design and the professionalism of its presentation.
What role did the local community play in the project?
Beyond the university students, the project sought to incorporate local voices. As noted by the London Post, schoolchildren from Our Lady of the Visitation Primary School in Greenford were invited to contribute. Specifically, pupils named Carter, Kaja, Mary, Mia, and Zosia submitted original designs for toys they would like to see in a toy swap, which were then integrated into the mural’s final composition.
How was the mural brought to life on such a large scale?
To ensure the longevity of the artwork, the students collaborated with professional mural company Paint Your Planet. As reported by Ben Simons of EALING.NEWS, the experts worked with the students to transfer the digital graphic design onto the physical wall. The process involved using recycled paint for the base coat and leveraging virtual reality technology to translate the digital design into precise sketches on the surface.
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What does the mural represent for the community?
The mural acts as a permanent visual landmark promoting recycling, sustainability, and waste reduction across Ealing. It depicts various services available at the ReActon hub, helping to communicate the facility’s mission to the public in a colourful and engaging manner. Initiatives showcased in the artwork include:
- Pre-loved school uniform services
- Book and toy swaps
- Bike repair and maintenance services
- Clothing repair workshops
- Compost giveaways
What have the students and faculty said about the experience?
The project was designed to provide students with a “real-world” experience that extended beyond the classroom.
Dr Isil Onol, senior lecturer in Design Communication at the University of West London, stated: “This was such an exciting project that gave students valuable experience of professional presentation, collaboration, client communication and public-facing design practice. The students worked hard to make it a reality”. She further noted, as highlighted by the London Post, that the project reflects the university’s emphasis on real-world engagement, community impact, and student employability.
For student Souad Hakim, the project offered practical insight into the complexities of public art. In statements reported by EALING.NEWS, Hakim remarked:
“This project gave me valuable real-life experience of working with a client, collaborating with a team, managing feedback and understanding what it takes to deliver a public artwork”.
Additionally, in comments carried by the London Post, Hakim added that the process of working alongside professional artists helped to bolster her confidence and enabled her to develop practical skills that could not be acquired within a classroom setting.
