Hostel interpretation

Informative panels about local landscape, nature and heritage

  • Role: designer
  • Stakeholder: YHA (England & Wales)
  • Sectors: charity (hospitality and education)
  • Deliverables: Interpretation panels

Bespoke mid- to large-scale visitor-facing signage to inform and inspire guests about the local area.

  • Design
  • Illustration
  • Infographics
Bilingual panel about the geology and landscape of Eryri (Snowdonia) pointing out Nantille Ridge, Llyn Idwal, Castell y Gwynt and Beddgelert Large-scale wall wrap about the Lake District titled A lace to be inspired. The artwork contains an illustrated map with location markers and simplified portrait illustrations of famous poets from the area including Beatrix Potter and Alfred Wainwright Colourful illustrated activity sheets about birds, one for YHA Hawkshead featuring herons and one for YHA Manorbier featuring puffins
Eryri (Snowdonia) landscape board for YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass (top), YHA Hawkshead interpretation panel (middle), Kids' activity sheets (bottom)

YHA (England & Wales) has a wide and varied network of hostels spanning coastal, rural and city regions. Informative panels and kids activity sheets bespoke to the hostel and its location help guests get inspired to explore the local region.

In a collaboration with the Eryri National Park Authority we developed three bilingual interpretation panels about the unique geology, wildlife and culture of Eryri (Snowdonia). I worked closely with the copywriter and drew up variations of maps of the region. These boards have been installed at the hostels in the Eryri region.

Recent interpretation for hostels in the Lake District National Park include literary-focussed interpretation for YHA Hawkshead and wildlife and landscape-focussed interpretation for YHA Windermere.

For the refurbishment of YHA Bristol I developed less interpretation-based and more theming-focussed interior graphics based on the city's recognisable sights and culture.

Kids activity sheets include bespoke bird-watching sheets for YHA Hawkshead (heron) and YHA Manorbier (puffin), as well as more generic welcome sheets to be used across the network.

  • Illustrated kids' activity and colouring-in sheets with quizzes, activity ideas and puzzles
  • In-situ photograph of the installed A place to be inspired wall wrap at YHA Hawkshead
  • Photograph of threedimensional Spirit of adventure heritage interpretation installed into an antique bookcase at YHA Ilam Hall
  • Artwork excerpt of Where the wild things are panel about local wildlife for YHA Windermere with silhouette illustrations and photographs of native birds and mammals
  • Photograph of interpretation panels about the local area and history of Brighton
  • Illustrated kids' activity sheets from the connectign with nature series