OUGD505 - Leeds City Museum

The Leeds Story - 

For initial research for studio brief 01 visiting Leeds City Museum and the 'Leeds Story' collection showed a glimpse into the heritage and history of Leeds. 

A section of the exhibition covered the creation of Leeds town hall, showing some of the original photography and drawings taken from when it was created. Originally the Leeds town hall was built to mark a time of rapid grown in the 1800's and its construction sparked a wealth of events for the people of Leeds. Being such an iconic image of leeds this could be a possible avenue to look into. There are many social, economic, political issues and concerns associated with the building and would be interesting to explore. 

In association with the buildings construction I found this amazing document of the official order of procession for the town hall. The range of typography on show is really something else and could begin to formulate an interesting campaign for poster ideas.  



Following this initial insight into Leeds City Hall I had a quick look through a book in the shop about 50 influential buildings in Leeds. 

Leeds becomes a city!

An interesting topic in the history of Leeds and referred to in this image 'Leeds was awarded city status so quickly that there was no time to prepare any formal celebrations.' A poster could refer to the possible lack of celebrations. 

Quarry Hill Flats, another interesting and different part of the history of leeds, a internationally famous model for efficient low cost housing, demolished in 1973 this could be an interesting subject to analyse socially and culturally. However it is not in much of a celebratory tone. 

Leeds cinema's - Has a history of cinema in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The footage shot by Louis Le Prince on leeds bridge is thought to be the first piece of moving image being captured on camera. There is much more in terms of research within this subject and could be an engaging and interesting subject to follow up. 

Shopping in Leeds, - Highlighting the famous arcades of leeds and the market traditions of the city. This has played a large part in Leeds being what it is today and is a really interesting subject with so many different areas of interest. The formation of the Marks and Spencer to name one of the formations to come out of the markets of Leeds. 

Trains and transport can play a large part in the make up of a city and Leeds is the same, the leeds railways as well as the trams of Leeds is another possible topic to research with links to social and cultural issues. 

Another interesting poster about he laws of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company, another part of the transport systems that have shaped Leeds in some ways. 

These old maps and records are visually different to what is seen today and could be an intriguing area to study for this brief. 


Overall the Leeds City Museum has given some interesting starting off points for this project that will need to be explored further.