Case Study:
​Illustration Meets Engagement: Merriman Park Sensory Garden

Contact:  +44 (0) 7540 236 713 | E: [email protected]

Vibrant Boards

Bringing the Senses to Life at Merriman Park  — the brand new Sensory Garden information board at Merriman Park in Street, Somerset.

This was such a rewarding piece to work on, blending my illustration and design skills to create something that is not only practical but also engaging and enjoyable for visitors of all ages. The sensory garden is a beautiful community space designed to encourage people to experience nature through sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. My aim with the board was to capture that richness visually and make it fun to explore.
Brilliant. Always friendly and courteous from first contact. Her initial ideas were inspiring and allowed the package to be developed further to maximise the benefits to our visitors. The final product was fully accessible, full of bright colours and appealed to all ages and abilities. 
​Michael Linham from Merriman Park Community Group.
Illustrating the Experience
Each section of the board highlights a different sense. From vibrant illustrations of tactile plants and textured posts in the Touch zone, to playful prompts about spotting colours and shapes in the Sight zone, the design encourages curiosity and interaction. I created the illustrations as vectors, which means they’re sharp, colourful, and can be repurposed for animations, leaflets, or other materials in the future.

A Community Project
​Merriman Park is at the heart of the community in Street, and it was a privilege to contribute something that will help people connect more deeply with nature. The board is designed to be accessible, colourful, and inviting — a guide that reflects the joyful experience of exploring the sensory garden itself.

Why I Love This Work
Projects like this are exactly why I love combining illustration with design. It’s about more than just information — it’s about storytelling, engagement, and creating something that feels special to the people who use it. I hope this board sparks moments of discovery for everyone who visits the garden, from children exploring for the first time to adults rediscovering the simple joy of slowing down and using their senses.
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✨ If you’d like to talk about creating an illustrated board or map for your own space — whether a garden, park, trail, or heritage site — I’d love to hear from you.
From first ideas to finished boards, here’s how I make the process simple and seamless
​How it Works ✨
  • We’ll agree on board size and how much information you’d like included
  • I’ll advise on the ideal mix of illustrations, text, and word count for clarity
  • You choose the area to cover and key landmarks/buildings to feature
  • I’ll illustrate a clear, bespoke map in your brand colours (or my design suggestions)
  • You provide text, photos, logos, and contact details — I’ll handle layout and quality checks
  • QR codes can be created to link directly to your website
  • Final artwork supplied print-ready (to your printer or one I recommend)
  • I can also advise on printers and installers if needed
  • Once created, your maps can be repurposed for walking guides, brochures, or websites — like my Clevedon Walking Maps, which are the most-visited pages on Discover Clevedon’s site

 The process in detail: how the information boards get put together.

Firstly - get in touch for a quote. I offer a 3 tier package- so send me a quick email and I can provide these straight away.
  1. When we begin a project, we’ll first look at the board size and how much information you’d like included. From there, I can recommend the right balance of illustrations, text, and word count so everything is easy to follow and visually appealing.
  2. You’ll let me know the area you’d like covered and any key landmarks or buildings to feature. I’ll then create a bespoke, easy-to-read illustrated map, either using your brand colours or drawing on my own design suggestions.
  3. You simply provide any text, photos, logos, or contact details you’d like included. I’ll take care of the layout, check image quality, and make sure every detail is polished. I can even add QR codes that link directly to your website.
  4. At the end of the process, I’ll supply you with print-ready artwork, either for your chosen printer or one I can recommend — and if needed, I can advise on installation too.
  5. And once your maps are created, they don’t have to live on boards alone. They can be repurposed into walking guides, brochures, or online resources. For example, the Clevedon Walking Maps I produced are the most-visited pages on the Discover Clevedon website.

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