Students from Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) are getting stuck into a new mural under the Braidley Road flyover – set to be the biggest in Dorset.

A collaborative effort between BCP Council, LUSH and AUB, it’s expected to be completed by September.

The project serves as a live brief for AUB’s undergraduate illustration and graphic design students.

Vincent Larkin, who leads the Illustration course, said: “BCP approached the course and asked if our students would be interested in transforming the Braidley Road underpass area.

“They wanted us to design a dynamic cultural landmark for the route between the town centre and Meyrick Park, one of the main walking routes into town for students.”

The illustration students soon enlisted the help of their counterparts in graphic design, as well as from Bridie Cheeseman and Jake Williams at Studio Studio – a multidisciplinary creative studio in Bournemouth.

Together, they’ll produce a mural spanning three supports of the flyover and the two back walls of the area, showcasing the work of 15 creatives with connections to Bournemouth and the wider area.

“We worked with 12 illustrators and six graphic designers from AUB to unpack stories of local creatives, celebrating practice and artistic innovation in our local area,” said Bridie.

“Rather than a top-down art director-led approach, it became more of a symbiotic relationship with the students from different disciplines bouncing ideas off each other.

“This is such a wonderful and transformational project.

“To be able to champion well-known and sometimes lesser-known stories and building an iconic artistic location to celebrate creative activity in Dorset is so important.”

Creative figures celebrated in the mural include singer-songwriter PJ Harvey, born in Bridport; actor and director Millie Bobby Brown, who grew up in Bournemouth; and award-winning photographer Adama Jalloh, an AUB alumna.

Maisie Barr, an illustration student involved in the project, said: “We all picked people that resonated with us, with our opinions, and with our individual styles.

“I’ve always been interested in murals, and this was a great opportunity to see how they’re made.”

Marten Sims, senior lecturer in graphic design, said: “By turning this unloved space into a ‘place’, it will encourage people to spend time there looking at the artwork.

“We’ve already had enquiries from schools keen to arrange visits, as it ticks a lot of boxes for them.”

And Cllr Andy Martin, portfolio holder for customer, communications and culture at BCP Council, added: “I’m delighted this exciting project is underway and cannot wait to see the result when completed.

“This is a shining example of the council joining forces with local organisations and university students to enhance an area in great need of brightening up.”

• aub.ac.uk