Jonny Atkins

Unplace | Underpass is a research-led design project that explores how overlooked public spaces in London are quietly inhabited, adapted, and used for survival. Centred on Wandsworth Roundabout—a disorienting, high-traffic pedestrian underpass, the project documents 16 found objects, many of which suggest traces of homelessness and human presence in a space not designed for living.

Through a series of on-site observational visits, each object was recorded, mapped, and visually archived. A custom glyph system was developed to represent the quantity and spatial distribution of the objects, forming the basis for a broadsheet newsprint publication that serves as a visual archive.

To deepen the sense of presence, each object has been captured using 3D scanning technology and reanimated through augmented reality (AR). When viewed through a device, the objects appear in their original form, layered onto the printed page, offering a moment of digital interaction that reconnects the viewer to the physical and social realities of the site.

The project invites the audience to reconsider what is visible, what is recorded, and what is left behind in urban space using graphic media design as a tool for quiet advocacy, documentation, and reflection.

This branding and identity project responds to an exhibition design brief, Original Machines.

Inspired by London’s urban flow, this project explores the city as a machine, an interconnected system of roads, stations, and architecture through which people move like data. The repetitive, rhythmic nature of commuting mirrors the logic of computational systems, framing human behaviour as part of a vast, invisible network.

This branding identity draws from that metaphor, using modular typography, grid-based systems, and layered textures to reflect the structures that shape our daily movement. By treating the city as a machine and the commuter as code, the work questions how infrastructure influences perception, and how design can subtly visualise the systems we move through, often without noticing.

A UX/UI Exploration of Human-Centred Design

FlowForm is a speculative yoga and wellbeing app through which I explore the practice of UX/UI design. This project is rooted in the idea of learning by doing: building an interface that enhances human abilities while refining my own understanding of design systems. The app prioritises simplicity, clarity, and accessibility—key principles in creating intuitive and engaging digital experiences.

The development of FlowForm was been iterative and reflective. I explored visual design fundamentals: typography, colour, layout, buttons, and interaction, uncovering what works, what resonates with me, and where I want to experiment.

The final app concept represents a balance between function and form, a tool that supports users in completing tasks with minimal friction while maintaining a visually compelling interface. Every element is intentional, shaped by a desire to create clarity, calm, and focus in the user journey.

While grounded in UX/UI methodologies, FlowForm extends beyond industry practice. It is also a portfolio piece that showcases my creative approach to visual communication, my ability to define and apply design systems, and my commitment to producing thoughtful, professional outcomes. This project demonstrates how I bring both strategic thinking and original making to the field of digital design.