Architecture students at Robert Gordon University (RGU) have tapped into the current craze of colouring books for grown-ups by producing their own versions inspired by Aberdeen.
The first year RGU and ICRGU (International College at RGU) students were set the task of designing a colouring book for adults featuring at least 10 drawings based on themes inspired by the architecture of Aberdeen.
Working in eight groups, the students explored the city before deciding on their themes, which included ‘A Day in the Life of a Student’, featuring the RGU campus and Belmont Street pubs; ‘Sounds of the City’ which focused on music venues; ‘Through the Keyhole’ which looked at the interiors of buildings; ‘Colourama’ featuring larger panoramic sketches; ‘Naturally Aberdeen’ and ‘The Granite Jungle’ which saw the students focus on buildings within nature; ‘A walk Through Duthie Park’; and ‘Guess Who’ in which the students produced portraits of people linked to famous Aberdeen landmark buildings.
At the end of the project each of the groups was required to produce a bound and covered copy of their book and deliver a presentation on their work.
Lecturer Graeme McRobbie said: “We wanted the students to look at Aberdeen with a clear and creative eye and really explore the city that is going to be their home during their time at RGU.
“Given the sudden boom in popularity of colouring books for grown-ups, we thought this was a great way to encourage the students to get out into the city and be inspired by its architecture.
“Aberdeen is known as the Granite City or the Silver City; however it is sometimes also described as drab and grey. This project gives people the opportunity to inject some colour into the streets, details and spaces of Aberdeen.”
He added: “I’ve been really impressed by the work that the students have produced, the quality of the sketches, and also by the range of themes that the groups submitted.”
An exhibition of the sketches will be held in the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, from December 2 to 16, where people will be encouraged to review the finished books and colour in the drawings.
The students’ sketches will also be collated into a single book and a number of copies produced for display.