City Reflections – Trail Map Artwork Brief
Issued by: Southampton Forward
Fee: £1,500 (inclusive of VAT)
Deadline for expressions of interest: Monday 17th November 2025
Contact: info@southamptonforward.org.uk
Event dates: 18-21 February 2026
Project Overview
Southampton Forward is seeking an illustrator or artist to create a bespoke trail map artwork for City Reflections, a major light and projection event illuminating six historic sites across Southampton’s Old Town and city centre.
The artwork will help audiences navigate the trail and celebrate the city’s stories, architecture and communities. The map should take inspiration from historic city survey maps and maritime charts, blending heritage and creativity to reflect the event’s theme: Illuminating Southampton’s Stories.
Scope of Work
The artist will produce:
- A main illustrated trail map showing all six projection sites with clear walking routes between them.
- Six small individual illustrations or icons – one for each heritage building – to appear both on the map and individually on the project website.
- A simple legend/key, compass/north arrow, and optional title cartouche.
- The artwork must be clear and legible in both colour and monochrome and suitable for use online and in print.
- Style: inspired by historic city survey maps and architectural drawings, but with a creative, contemporary flair.
Locations to Feature
- King John’s Palace – 12th-century merchant’s house later absorbed into the medieval town walls.
- Holy Rood Church – 14th-century church bombed during WWII, now a memorial to Merchant Navy sailors.
- The Bargate – Southampton’s medieval gatehouse and iconic city landmark.
- The Wool House (now Dancing Man Brewery) – 14th-century warehouse for wool export, later a museum, now a popular pub with on-site brewery.
- Castle Vault – subterranean chamber beneath the ruins of Southampton Castle used to store the King’s wine.
- Southampton City Art Gallery – 1930s civic art gallery, home to the city’s internationally-renowned public art collection.
Deliverables
- 1 x Main Trail Map Artwork, supplied as:
- Editable vector format (.AI or .EPS)
- High-res PDF and PNG/JPEG (for print and web)
- 6 x Individual Building Illustrations/Icons
- Supplied separately as PNG/JPEG and vector
- All files delivered ready for use in:
- Website (digital map view)
- Printed trail sheet (A5)
- Event signage and marketing materials
Usage Rights
- Southampton Forward and Southampton City Council will have non-exclusive, perpetual rights to use the artwork across print, digital, social and physical event materials relating to City Reflections and future marketing of the project.
- The artist retains copyright and may include the work in their portfolio and promotional materials.
- Any reuse or adaptation by third parties will require written permission and credit to the artist.
Revisions and Process
The commission includes:
- 1 x initial concept sketch or draft map for approval
- 1 x round of client feedback and revisions
- 1 x final artwork delivery
Additional major revisions or new versions beyond this scope will be costed separately.
Timeline
- Expressions of interest / quotes due: Monday 17th November 2025
- Appointment: 19th November 2025
- Concept artwork: by Monday 1st December 2025
- Final delivery: by 16th December 2025
Budget
- Fixed fee of £1,500 (inclusive of VAT)
- Covers artist’s time, creative development digital production and final delivery of all artwork.
- No additional expenses or travel are expected for this commission.
How to Apply
Please email info@southamptonforward.org.uk with:
- Short bio and link to portfolio (or up to 5 examples of previous work)
- A brief note on your creative approach or inspiration
- Confirmation of availability and timeline
- Quote confirming acceptance of £1,500 inc VAT and deliverables
Inspiration
Artists are encouraged to reference historic Southampton and Hampshire survey maps for visual tone and layout. A few examples:
- Catalogue of British Town Maps – gives a searchable list of historic town maps across the UK (useful background). Catalogue of British Town Map
- Southampton City Council: “Historic maps” page of Southampton – includes the 1846 map and the 1870 town plan.
