Dezeen School Shows: a project examining the history and symbolism of pineapples in architecture and design is among the projects presented in collaboration with Kew from the University of Southampton.

Also featured is a proposal exploring the impact of weeds on biodiversity and another celebrating the lives of female botanists.

University of Southampton

Institution: University of Southampton
School: Winchester School of Art
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Communication
Tutors: Jodie Silsby and Ian Jackson

School statement:

"The BA Graphic Communication course is committed to creating sustainable partnerships that enhance both educational excellence and industry engagement. We develop innovative teaching models that bridge academic and professional domains, fostering meaningful knowledge exchange between university and external partners. Engaging with social, cultural and political issues to raise awareness, challenge societal perceptions and to contribute to critical design dialogues that counteract passive and traditional design roles.

"Bio-diversity is a collaborative inquiry between BA (Hons) Graphic Communication students at Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton and the Archival and Records Department at the world famous Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

"The project allowed graduating year students to explore Kew Gardens extensive botanical archives to uncover hidden plant histories that reveal some of the harmful effects of colonialism and historical exclusionary practices. These past actions against nature and humanity continue to reflect in the inequalities and discrimination specific groups of people encounter today.

"Students visited Kew and looked at records and images from the 19th and early 20th century which depicted instances of past colonial attitudes towards indigenous peoples and the plant knowledge they possessed. Students created a range of visually engaging approaches, taking into account context, historical and contemporary parallels.

"BA (Hons) Graphic Communication students also took part in Kew Gardens' Community Week, delivering an interactive poster activity exploring plant histories, colonial impacts on botanical knowledge and the power of design to challenge issues of equity.

"Engaging over 2,000 visitors, their work invited public participation in decolonizing plant narratives, highlighting design's role in education, inclusion and social awareness."

A Sign of Status by Jas Jones

"This project explores the sinister history of the pineapple, a fruit imported from South America. Once brought to England, the pineapple became a luxury item only the wealthy could afford – owning, renting or simply displaying one in the 1500s to 1800s signified high social status.

"Its symbolism soon extended to architecture, with concrete or gold pineapples adorning churches, gates and fences as markers of wealth.

"However, this opulence was built on exploitation: in South America, enslaved people were forced to grow pineapples on plantations under brutal, unpaid and inhumane conditions. The pineapple is no innocent fruit."

Student: Jas Jones
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Communication
Tutors: Jodie Silsby and Ian Jackson

Exotic by Sia Roshanda-Pinnock-Marah

"Exotic examines the harmful use of language, drawing inspiration from the archive collections at Kew Royal Botanical Gardens.

"These collections are rich with plant life and artefacts from outside the region, yet they often bear names and descriptions rooted in outdated or offensive terminology.

"As Kew strives to embrace progress and change, the language issue remains central, with many of their artefacts still documented using inappropriate or harmful words.

"Exotic shines a light on the impact of such language, encouraging greater awareness of the context in which words are used. The project aims to foster a more respectful and inclusive society honouring diverse cultures, practices and beliefs."

Student: Sia Roshanda-Pinnock-Marah
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Communication
Tutors: Jodie Silsby and Ian Jackson

Itadori by Ilyssa Marasigan

"A set of collectible and tradeable cards highlighting untold perspectives in the Western world, this project reflects on post-colonial discourse surrounding plants and their origins.

"The project aims to inform and reveal to a younger generation the lesser-known stories of the itadori plant, while also raising awareness of Japanese knotweed.

"I incorporated both Western and Eastern perspectives, respecting each experience; the itadori cards were illustrated with inspiration from traditional Japanese woodcut art to acknowledge the plant's Eastern origins, enhanced with foiling to add value.

"In contrast, the Japanese knotweed cards were designed to resemble educational flashcards, emphasising their purpose to inform and engage the audience."

Student: Ilyssa Marasigan
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Communication
Tutors: Jodie Silsby and Ian Jackson

Found in the Archives by Katy Davies

"Historically, women botanists and botanical artists were rarely given the same recognition as their male counterparts.

"While botany was often seen as a leisurely pursuit for women and a serious profession for men, the significant contributions women made to the field were frequently overlooked.

"Despite this, their work has had a lasting impact on our current understanding of botany. This book is not as comprehensive as the subject deserves, but it aims to serve as a starting point, encouraging deeper exploration into these women's lives and legacies."

Student: Katy Davies
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Communication
Tutors: Jodie Silsby and Ian Jackson

Contained Chaos by Max McNelly

"This project explores the extent to which colonial botany enabled the spread of invasive species in countries which they shouldn't exist.

"It focuses on the New Zealand white clover, a species which developed from bees pollinated with white clover being transported to New Zealand by colonial botanists where they then pollinated the native species producing the New Zealand white clover.

"This new species spread all over the country and is now considered a weed.

"This project communicates the way in which colonial botany caused the spread of invasive species around the world through its use of modern studio environments contrasting with the supposedly contained nature."

Student: Max McNelly
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Communication
Tutors: Jodie Silsby and Ian Jackson

From Lian Hua to Lotus by Duye Li

"With the rise of botanical gardens as symbols of power and scientific progress in colonial Britain, botanists and explorers transported lotus specimens from their indigenous habitats to the West.

"These botanical exchanges symbolised control over nature and the acquisition of knowledge from colonised territories, with original plant names, including that of the lotus, often replaced by Latin nomenclature.

"Inspired by the renowned essay On the Love of the Lotus by prominent song dynasty philosopher, Zhou Dunyi, this book examines the cultural differences in how the lotus is perceived in China and the West.

"As one of the lotus's countries of origin, China has nurtured a profound connection with the plant over 5,000 years of civilisation, where the lotus holds deep significance in Chinese culture."

Student: Duye Li
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Communication
Tutors: Jodie Silsby and Ian Jackson

Othered by Donna Ji

"Exploring the dark aspects of weeds and their impact on equality and biodiversity. Weeds, often seen as aliens, disrupt ecosystems by overpowering native species, challenging the balance of life.

"This project reflects on how uncontrolled growth leads to exclusion and marginalisation, as the dominance of weeds mirrors societal imbalances – a metaphor for immigration.

"By breaking the grid and exploring the tension between nature's adaptability and its destructive tendencies.

"Highlighting how weeds are often misunderstood or feared and create cracks in the natural world, revealing the complexities of survival and coexistence."

Student: Donna Ji
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Communication
Tutors: Jodie Silsby and Ian Jackson

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and the University of Southampton. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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