Inspiring community engagement

As Creative Partner for the Davidson Prize 2025, we worked with each of the three shortlisted teams to develop their ideas ahead of judging.

We worked with the shortlisted teams to develop their ideas through a visual communication strategy, allowing them to convey their ambitions to the judges and win the Prize. Our support also included creative consultancy for the winning team to help them further refine and land their proposals, for maximum impact.

The winning scheme, 'Union Street Mile' by Nudge Community Builders and Clifton Emery Design, is a bold vision for community-led regeneration. It set out to transform a neglected stretch of Union Street, Plymouth into a thriving, affordable neighbourhood. The scheme was rooted in a powerful community engagement programme, ensuring local people were involved in shaping the area's future.

A challenge this project faced was how to explain complex planning issues and funding barriers to the wider community. It was vital this was done clearly, in a way that inspired confidence and investment in a long-term vision. To do this, we explored new ways to engage audiences and make these ideas more accessible, moving beyond traditional visualisation techniques into more interactive ways of communication that could encourage understanding and participation.

Our solution was 'Union Street Builders', a collaborative board game that invites locals to explore the idea of community-led regeneration through play. Working closely with Clifton Emery Design, we developed the concept and visual language of the game. Produced in the university's facilities, the playing pieces were locally inspired, and included a pasty, a seagull and the famous Barbican Prawn. 'Action' and 'Challenge' cards informed by real data from the team at Nudge brought the development to life, highlighting opportunities and navigating constraints.

Launched at the annual Union Street Party, the game became a catalyst for conversation as residents gathered to play and share memories and ideas about the street's future. Its success with residents means Nudge continue to use it as a communication tool in their hub spaces.

Our creative strategy for Union Street Builders is a great example of the way in which visual storytelling can extend beyond the digital realm to inspire and engage communities, and strengthen the dialogue between people, development and placemaking.