FMP Pro-forma

Chelsea College of Art and Design
BA (Hons) Graphic Design Communication
Level Three


Studio Practice 3 / FMP: Final Major Project Pro-Forma
Unit 3B: (60 credits)

You are advised to complete this pro-forma in order to prioritise and clarify context, aims, objectives
and outcomes in relation to the Final Major Project, a double module with an assessable value of 60 credits
to complement previously undertaken units: Studio Practice: Unit 3C 3A (30 Credits) and Theory/Dissertation:
Unit 3C (30 Credits). Response requirements are based on unit assessment criteria require a personal response
in order to demonstrate the ambition degree level value of the project. PLEASE NOTE that this will be a first
point of reference for external contacts.



Student Name: Miranda Barrie Email: miranda.barrie@googlemail.com




1. Project Summary (One concise paragraph only)

Create a neon and bulb light stage installation in the form of a Roman Catholic ‘Sacré-Cœur’ for a new burlesque club event called Theatre of the Divine held at the 20th Century Theatre in Portobello.


2. Context (Background)

The project will involve designing the lighting installation and planning its integration into the theatre stage set.
I will also be exploring other possible applications for the sacred heart emblem such as photographs of the finished installation that could be used for the event’s promotion or projected into other areas of the venue on the club night. I anticipate that I will be making parts of the sign/emblem myself but that I will need to commission the more complex lighting elements to be made by a specialist.


3. Rationale (Why the project is relevant to you and to GDComm practice)

I have been working as a performer on the burlesque circuit for around six years and have therefore gained a good understanding of its world and clientele. I feel that this gives me an advantage in judging the kind of visual language that will be effective in the design of a burlesque event. I also feel that my experience as a design student will enable me to identify current clichés now associated with burlesque event design and steer clear of them, creating something with a classic feel, but that is new and unusual.


4. Skills Evidence: (describe your approach to the following)

Topicality and future projection potential

In a backlash to the ever-increasing numbers of infinitely changeable LCD displays in modern cities, the old fashioned techniques of neon and bulb lighting are becoming popular again. The aesthetic of signs which have been painstakingly custom made to permanently display one specific design seems more and more appealing in a world full of digital transience. I am aware that these retro lighting techniques are becoming fashionable again and want to use this to the event’s advantage whilst at the same time referencing the classic age of burlesque – the 1940s - in which bulb lighting a stage was common practice. The most common modern applications of retro lighting are seen in shop signage and window displays. Even big budget West End and Broadway shows rarely use retro lighting on stage sets so I think it would be exciting for the audience to see it used this way again.

Intellectual rigour and debate

Analogue versus digital; retro versus modern; custom made versus mass-produced…


Focus of research and analysis

Research modern applications of retro lighting – eg. Shop fronts/window displays, fun fairs, theatres, bars, clubs, fine art, etc. Also research into finding which lighting workshops would be best to commission for my project. I want the lighting to blink on and off in a cycle and need to research the best ways to achieve this effect.


Practical skills involved

Logo design, lighting and stage design, art direction.

Sustainability and Content of project (over as a double unit)

The manufacture of neon and bulb lighting is a meticulous process, and as I will be undertaking at least some of the manufacturing myself (construction of the main body of the sign out of wood and spray painting it) I am certain that the project will provide enough work to be sustainable over a double unit. I have met once so far with the club organiser to discuss the project – he is very enthusiastic and I will be meeting with him regularly to inform him on the progress of the design and manufacture of the sign.

Projection of professional or further research ambitions

The Theatre of the Divine is anticipated to become a monthly event - this will allow my work to be seen by more and more people. I have a broad range of interests within design and am not sure yet which area I would most like to enter into but perhaps this project could help prepare me for other event design and promotion work.

Elements of risk and challenge (originality and direction against the status quo)

Burlesque has become very popular over the past few years and there are a lot of competitor clubs, but as far as I have seen none of them have commissioned elaborate stage lighting installations, so I hope that this will set Theatre of the Divine apart from the crowd, making it more opulent and impressive.
The main risks and challenges will be around balancing cost with quality of the lighting installation. It would be extremely expensive to have the entire sign custom made but I need to make sure that any elements that I do make myself look high quality enough to be acceptable.

Predicated outcomes

Neon and bulb light sacred heart emblem installed on stage for the opening night of Theatre of the Divine on the 4th of May.

Manufacturing and production issues

Will be undertaken partly by myself and partly by a professional custom lighting workshop.

Opportunities for professional feedback

The club organiser is affiliated with the owners of luxury lingerie label Agent Provocateur who have created a number of bulb light signs for their shop window displays. I am hoping to be able organise a meeting to speak with them about this.