From Student Project to City Streets: Wrapping a Traffic Box in Brisbane CBD.
Opportunities often arrive disguised as moments of self-doubt. When my graphic design school reached out to ask if I’d be interested in taking on another project, I was immediately intrigued, and intimidated. The brief? Designing a vinyl wrap for a traffic signal box. I hesitated, questioning whether I was ready or “good enough,” but ultimately decided to say yes and give it my best.
The project involved a competitive selection process, with nine traffic boxes available across Brisbane. After receiving the brief, I worked closely with my mentors and teachers, going back and forth to refine the concept and ensure it met both creative and technical requirements. Through this process, I developed Busy Bees in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall & Central Hive, a playful yet considered concept inspired by the movement, energy, and interconnectedness of the city’s CBD.
Submitting the final design was both exciting and nerve-wracking. With so many talented artists involved, I genuinely didn’t expect to be selected. My mindset was simple: even if it wasn’t chosen, I was proud to have taken the leap.
A few days later, I received the email.
I had been selected.. and not just for any location, but for a traffic box in the heart of the Brisbane CBD.
The reaction was instant and emotional. Excitement, disbelief, and a few very real tears. Seeing my work installed in such a prominent public space was something I never imagined experiencing so early in my creative journey.
This project would not have been possible without the guidance and encouragement of my mentors and teachers at Billy Blue College of Design. Their support, honest feedback, and belief in my abilities pushed me to aim higher than I thought I could. Many of my milestone, including this one, exist because of that encouragement.
I’m also incredibly grateful to Artforce Brisbane for selecting my work and giving emerging designers the opportunity to contribute to the city’s visual landscape. Every time I pass the box in the city, I’m reminded why I fell in love with design in the first place. It genuinely feels like a childhood dream realised
📍 Location: Outside the ANZ Bank branch on the corner of Queen Street & Creek Street
🔗 Project link: https://artforcebrisbane.com.au/artwork/central-hive/
Below, I explore how Brisbane’s transport elements informed the design of Central Hive. Growing up in Brisbane, Queen Street was always a place where everything seemed to converge—a central hub where people “buzzed” in and out. This became the foundation for the busy bees concept, representing movement, community, and connection.
Big thanks to Billy Blue at Torrens University & Artforce
