Adam Smith Business School

A wide format Smith and Glasgow mural which greets visitors in the Adam Smith Business School atrium has won an industry award from Association of Creative & Print Managers in Education (ACPME).

Graphic Designer James Murray worked with University of Glasgow print room colleagues to ensure the mural was sized so it could be printed inhouse and the work pioneered innovative new design and print techniques for the University.

Hand drawn by James, it combines Glasgow’s past with the present, conveying a sense of place, history and Smith, father of economics and our most famous UofG alum.

James’ personal photos of iconic Glasgow buildings were used as subjects and he individually hand drew each at A3 size with fine liner black pens on paper. These drawings were scanned and enlarged at high resolution and layered to make one large artwork with the UofG Adam Smith statue central.

Adam Smith and the Wellington Horse were drawn in five A3 sections, scanned and joined together to keep their resolution. Using InDesign, colours were added – yellow, maroon, blue and green - consistent with the palate used to create the Adam Smith Business School tartan for the Smith Tercentenary celebrations.

The mural colours were graded from 100 per cent in the image forefront to a 45 percent decrease in transparency to give the artwork perspective.

Collaborating with the print room’s expertise, the expansive image was smoothly mounted onto wooden plyboard using specially sourced material and permanent adhesive.

ACPME awards recognise the very best design, print and photography work, along with innovations and service developments.

 

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First published: 6 June 2025