Designed by a Pirate
You may notice a large pirate ship bursting through a building when passing the corner of Fifth Street and Reade Circle near East Carolina University’s Main Campus.
East Carolina University graphic designer Ashley Cox created the new mural near Main Campus. (ECU photo by Rhett Butler)
The ship is part of a new university mural designed by ECU alumna and graphic designer Ashley Cox. The larger-than-life mural is 35 feet by 28 feet and was installed on the exposed brick on the side of ECU’s Research, Economic Development and Engagement building facing the corner of Fifth and Reade.
Cox is a graphic designer with ECU’s Creative Services office, and her idea came out on top from several submitted by the talented designers in on the team.
“Our Creative Services designers worked their magic, brainstorming and concepting ideas that would be representative of the Pirate spirit. As a university project, we wanted something interactive and lively that people would want to take photos in front of,” said Jeannine Manning Hutson, ECU’s chief communications officer and director of University Communications.
Cox said she wanted to capture the true spirit of the people at ECU.
“I personally resonate with our term, Undaunted, and wanted to express that through the act of breaking through a wall,” she said. “It was my way of showing that we never back down, never surrender to the circumstances and always make a way where there seems not to be one.”
The mural is installed and ready for Pirates new and old to take advantage of the amazing backdrop.
“It’s the largest I’ve ever done and a highlight of my career up to this point. I’m very proud and humbled to have my design chosen and I am grateful to all the people that played a part to help move this project along,” said Cox.
If you share a photo of the ship on social media use #ECUPirates.