Crafting the Heritage Wall
The School of Education wanted environmental graphics to show prospective students, current students, faculty, alumni and donors how far they have come in 100 years with a detailed timeline of the School’s history called the “Heritage Wall”.
Our team’s first step was taking a closer look at Fitzgerald Hall and how we would decorate its walls with its legacy.
Celebrating the Centennial
Following our initial meetings, we began planning how the wall would take shape. We combed through the archives to select the stories and eye-catching visuals that would celebrate the past, inspire the present and set the tone for the future. Our process also included content that highlighted historic faculty, alumni achievements and School of Education milestones.
From there, our creative team developed a timeline to highlight historical moments by decade. The wall wrappings decorate the hall with a curated selection of vibrant colors that correspond to each decade from the 1920s–2020s. We also coupled the text and colors with black-and-white and color images from the School’s archival collections.
Diving into the Design Details
Our designers took inspiration from the education SLU students receive and the education they will soon provide their students. Alongside the vibrant color choices, our team also leaned into showcasing the elements present on a teacher’s desk. We used captivating shadow boxes to catch the eyes of visitors, SLU faculty and students as they enter Fitzgerald Hall.
The 3-D shadow boxes include school supplies and SLU memorabilia, signifying the beginning of their educational journey and the beginning of the historical timeline throughout the Hall. As visitors progress through the hallway, 3-D elements continue to elevate the timeline. Photos pop in front of colors, a line connects all the dates and names come to life as visitors read each story.
The “Heritage Wall” was officially unveiled in Fitzgerald Hall during the first week of the 2024-2025 school year.
Explore the School of Education
The SLU School of Education has proudly served the community in its classrooms for generations. We are proud to have played a role in the School’s 100th anniversary by creating the “Heritage Wall”. As a new chapter opens, we look forward to the advancements the School will make in and beyond the St. Louis community.
For more on our latest projects with the School of Education and Saint Louis University, visit Paradigm’s work page.
