Webmart creates 'future of print' mural

Printers or people using print are being urged to share their thoughts on the future of the industry to help an artist create a wall-sized mural.

Webmart’s artist in residence will start to create the mural from 9am today and will have 24 hours to complete the wall art.

His artistry will be live-streamed on the company's website and via smartphone app Periscope and the finished mural will be displayed on the walls of Webmart’s HQ in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

Each quote will be attributed to whoever submitted it to Webmart, which provides consultancy on printed communications for clients such as Microsoft and Knight Frank.

Jamie Powell is an artist and graphics professional who specialises in producing large-format calligraphic murals.

Category director Paul Dykes said the initiative would mark the creation of a print rest area that would include an art deco-style cinema for presentations.

“The area is more for product samples and items of print that suppliers have brought to us to show to clients than an area bristling with equipment,” he said.

“We will also host seminars and bring suppliers and clients together to demonstrate what print has to offer. It's a sit-and-tell area with a cinema room to show the potential of print.”

Powell's graphic would be based on comments crowdsourced from people who work with print, with each comment attributed to the person who said it, he explained.

It will then be streamed live for 24 hours during its creation. Webmart is taking comments now on its Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter, website, email or phone.

“Simply give us your quote and a dedicated team of Webmart umpalumpas will fast-track it to Jamie to incorporate into the mural,” said a spokesman.

Updates will be published here.