iQ

iQ Student Accommodation is one of the UK’s leading purpose built student accommodation services, providing homes for students in cities across the country.

In collaboration with iQ and interior design studio Manalo & White, Artiq developed and delivered a curatorial strategy spanning nine of their locations across the UK. Our art strategy embraced a two-fold approach to art curation, combining bespoke collections tailored to local areas, with a flexible catalogue of curated print works specifically for iQ projects.

To bring structure to the print catalogue, two distinct curatorial palettes were devised. The first features bold colours, soft lines, and abstract forms, while the second centres on monochromatic tones, blending organic and geometric elements to offer a universal aesthetic.

Every piece in the collection can be mix-and-matched, enabling locations to establish a unique visual identity while contributing to a cohesive, welcoming experience across their entire portfolio of locations. This modular approach ensured that the artwork served both an aesthetic and emotional purpose, creating places where students feel at home from the moment they arrive.

Throughout the project, Artiq and iQ treated student accommodation not just as housing, but as living environments, places students can feel a true sense of ownership and comfort. In uniting nine sites, this art strategy creates a balance between brand consistency and local identity, using art to transform student living into a more personal, human experience.

Photography: Marcus Quigley