The University of Southampton needed a new UCAS exhibition stand for 2026 – before its new brand had been fully launched.

That made the stand one of the first real-world expressions of an identity still in development. It wasn’t just about applying guidelines – it was about helping shape how the brand would behave in practice.

The Challenge. We were working with a brand that wasn’t yet known about widely.

Guidelines were evolving, opinions were varied, and expectations were high. UCAS events are competitive environments where impact is immediate – this stand needed to stand out and feel resolved from day one.

At the same time, the technical brief was complex:

• A modular structure of over 500 interlocking panels

• A system that could expand or contract depending on footprint

• Removable sections that still felt complete

• Precise alignment across every configuration

• Clear, consistent messaging throughout

All under a central brand positioning:

Where changing minds changes the world

We worked closely with the University’s brand and marketing teams to interpret and translate the emerging identity into a physical environment.

We saw the project through to completion from brand brief to concepts through to delivery – balancing creative ambition with technical precision.

The Idea. If the brand tenant is about change, the stand should demonstrate it.

We used lenticular print to create imagery that shifts as you move around the space. Content changes depending on your viewpoint – a simple but powerful way to make the idea of transformation tangible.

It allowed us to express the brand without relying on high-tech installations, keeping the experience immediate and intuitive.

The Stand. Every element was designed to balance flexibility, clarity and engagement.

A highly engineered modular system allowed the stand to adapt across different event spaces without losing coherence. Sliding panels ensured that messaging and imagery remained perfectly aligned, even as the structure changed.

The stand combined:

• Clear course and brand messaging

• Integrated video content

• NFC touchpoints for instant access to digital information

• Dedicated areas for prospectuses, takeaway cards and Look Books

Everything worked together to support conversations and encourage exploration.

In Summary

This was a project about making something unfinished feel complete.

By combining strategic clarity with precise design and build, we created a stand that not only introduced a new brand – but helped define it in the real world.

A flexible system. A clear idea. And an experience built around one principle:

Show change, don’t just talk about it.

March 2026

Southampton University

Brand, design, technical artwork, campaign and project management.