Lawson Gardens is a botanical third space in Pullman, a university town. But even during the school year, foot traffic was low. Bringing guests to the park while upholding the quiet, flower-filled park was the goal.
Despite having lived in Pullman for 3 years, I did not know of the garden’s existence. With a unique reflecting pond and a small trail, it is the perfect nature space that still lies within the city borders.
credits
Kaye Paranada
Cam Newton
Brenda Castro
Hannah Te, brand designer
Kaye Paranada
Cam Newton
Brenda Castro
Hannah Te, brand designer
Lawson Gardens is a 13-acre oasis of green in the middle of a sea of wheat. That’s why the space is incredibly popular for local weddings during the spring-summer months. But during winter, fall, and early spring, only the footsteps of the gardeners are present.
The reflecting pool at the center of the park was a key motif in our work. Nature is a space to reflect, and utilizing the reflecting pool in the designs (as well as other icons within the park) created a brand unique to the gardens.
Other visual motifs around the park include an abstract metal sculpture, a gazebo, and the iconic circular garden of roses. There are also benches engraved with dedications and lyrics like “What a Wonderful World”.
A point we kept returning to in our ideation sessions was how centered the town of Pullman was around Washington State University. How did we, as designers, separate this space belonging to the Town of Pullman from the all-encompassing university nearby?
Creating an identity that appealed to a students required brainstorming. Campaigns aimed at students usually relied on noisy, attractive visuals—which is not what a quiet, idyllic space like Lawson Gardens is about.
Addressing the intent to share this space with Washington State University’s students while preserving quietude was an enjoyable challenge. Being in the space as both a student and a designer enabled location-specific inspiration that working from afar would not.
I care about environmental sustainability and the preservation of third spaces. Working with Lawson Gardens was putting my values and graphic design capabilities to excellent use.
I care about environmental sustainability and the preservation of third spaces. Working with Lawson Gardens was putting my values and graphic design capabilities to excellent use.