Nottingham fertility clinic partners with NTU Graphic Design to transform patient spaces

On the 12th of February, we had the privilege of officially unveiling a collection of bespoke artwork created through our collaboration with students from Nottingham Trent University’s Graphic Design and Illustration courses.

What began as a conversation about how we could enhance our IVF clinic spaces became a powerful example of how education and healthcare can come together to create something meaningful — not just visually, but emotionally.

From open brief to clinical installation 

 A selection of students visited our Nottingham fertility clinic early in the process. They toured the space, met members of the team and gained insight into the realities of fertility treatment. For many, it was their first experience of working with a live client in a healthcare environment. It gave them the opportunity to consider scale, context and audience in a real-world setting, not just a studio one. 

Seeing the clinic first-hand allowed the students to understand how each area supports a patient’s journey. From the waiting room to theatre, they were able to consider how design influences atmosphere and emotion.

The project centred around the creation of one large-scale mural for the patient waiting area, alongside accompanying artworks to be displayed throughout the clinic. Following review and discussion, one design was selected to become the feature mural, with additional pieces forming part of the wider installation across the clinic.

Following presentation of their concepts, one design was selected to become the feature mural, with the other works carefully positioned throughout the clinic so that each artist’s contribution formed part of the overall environment. This approach allowed multiple perspectives to shape the space, while ensuring the waiting area mural provided a clear focal point for patients.

Our brief was clear. We asked for artwork that felt uplifting, sensitive, and supportive, reflecting themes of hope, science, innovation, and possibility, while avoiding imagery that could feel overwhelming or triggering for someone undergoing fertility treatment. The students responded with maturity and care, developing concepts that balanced creativity with empathy.

 Artwork now forming part of the patient journey 

We are proud to now display the finished pieces within our Nottingham clinic:

• A Whisper of Hope by Poppy Robertson, a mural in our patient waiting room inspired by the natural landscape of a local Nottingham park. Drawing on organic forms and gentle movement found in nearby green space, the piece introduces a sense of familiarity and grounding into the clinic environment.
• Feel Seen. Feel Heard. Feel Supported. by Jasmine Turner, displayed in the patient waiting area and reflecting the experience we strive to provide to every person in our care.
• The Journey by Ria Marsh, positioned at the entrance to our theatre space and thoughtfully acknowledging the path many patients walk.
• The Tree of Life by Folake Tiwo, greeting visitors in reception and symbolising growth, strength, and possibility, with a subtle nod to our genetics specialists.

For Poppy, taking inspiration from a local park was intentional. Parks are places people often turn to when they need space to think or pause. By bringing elements of a familiar Nottingham landscape into the clinic, the mural offers a quiet sense of openness within the waiting room.

Poppy Robertson, NTU Graphic Design student and artist behind A Whisper of Hope, pictured at the unveiling event at our Nottingham fertility clinic. 

Since installation, the artwork has been met with praise from both new and returning patients. Many have commented on the calming effect the pieces create within the space, and how having something thoughtful and engaging to focus on while waiting helps to gently shift their attention at a time that is often filled with anxiety and anticipation. Waiting for a consultation or procedure can feel heavy, and the artwork provides something steady and reassuring in those moments.

While artwork does not change the clinical structure of fertility treatment, it contributes meaningfully to the experience. Our processes remain carefully managed and evidence-led. Within that structured pathway, the environment plays an important role in supporting how patients feel at each stage.

A full-circle moment shared with family

We already knew that Poppy had been born through IVF. During the event, through conversations with her parents who had attended to support her, we learned that she had been born following treatment at what is now our Care Fertility Woking clinic under the care of Dr Andrew Riddle, who is now the Medical Director of our Woking clinic.

Listening to her parents reflect on their experience of fertility treatment, while standing inside a Care Fertility clinic watching their daughter unveil artwork created to support other patients, was a powerful reminder of how fertility treatment can shape lives long after a cycle has ended. Seeing that journey come full circle within our own clinic space reinforced the lasting impact of the work we do.

In Poppy’s words:

“Working with the team at Care Fertility has been such an enjoyable experience. I’ve loved learning more about the process that helped form me while creating something intended to gently support and uplift others going through their own journey.”

Supporting education across disciplines

Education has always been central to our work at Care Fertility. We regularly collaborate with universities and training institutions to support medical students, embryology placements, and research initiatives, contributing to the advancement of reproductive science and the development of future clinicians and laboratory professionals.

Partnering with an arts-based course was a new direction for us, and it demonstrated the value of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Fertility care is grounded in science and regulation, yet it is also deeply human. Inviting design students into our clinic created dialogue between clinical precision and creative thinking, highlighting how environment and visual design can complement medical excellence.

Working with Nottingham Trent University has shown that meaningful education partnerships can extend beyond traditional clinical placements. They can encourage new perspectives, strengthen community connections, and enhance how healthcare spaces are experienced.

Reflections from both sides of the partnership

Reflecting on the collaboration, Emma Di Pierri shared:

“Collaborating with the talented students at Nottingham Trent University has been a truly special project for our clinic. Our aim was to create meaningful artwork that feels uplifting, sensitive and full of hope for patients navigating fertility treatment, and the students captured that beautifully. Seeing these pieces now displayed in our spaces, and knowing the lived experience behind them, is a powerful reminder that the impact of fertility treatment reaches far beyond the clinic walls.”

 Emma Di Pierri, Nottingham Clinic Director, pictured with Poppy Robertson in front of A Whisper of Hope at our Nottingham fertility clinic during the unveiling event celebrating our collaboration with NTU Graphic Design. 

Anne Adams from the Nottingham School of Art & Design added:

“This partnership began when Emma Di Pierri invited NTU to explore designing bespoke pieces for their IVF clinic spaces. What started as an open brief became a powerful example of how creativity, community and real-world experience can come together.

Care Fertility asked our students to respond to themes of hope, science, innovation and the creation of life. Students from our Graphic Design and Illustration courses were encouraged to visit the clinic and laboratory, gaining inspiration from the people and stories behind fertility treatment. Importantly, they were asked to create designs that were uplifting and sensitive, avoiding imagery that might be triggering, and instead focusing on positivity, support and the human spirit.

This project offered genuine professional experience; working to a live client brief, engaging with an external partner and understanding the importance of scale, context and audience. In a clinical setting, art can soothe, inspire and bring a sense of calm at times when visitors may feel uncertain.

These works are now part of the Care Fertility environment, displayed with the artists’ names and titles, where they will be seen and appreciated by staff, patients and visitors for years to come.

This collaboration highlights the benefits of connecting education with industry; students gain experience, confidence and a professionally realised commission, while Care Fertility gains thoughtful, uplifting artwork that enhances their space and the experiences of those who use it.”

Anne also extended thanks to Emma Di Pierri and the Care Fertility team for trusting NTU with the brief, to Kathryn Coates for her collaboration throughout the project, and congratulations to students Poppy Robertson, Jasmine Turner, Ria Marsh and Folake Tiwo.

Guests, university representatives, and clinic colleagues gathered at our Nottingham fertility clinic to celebrate the education partnership with NTU Graphic Design and view the completed mural installation. 

Strengthening connections between healthcare and education

Care Fertility has a long history of partnering with educational institutions to support learning in science, embryology and reproductive medicine. Collaborating with an arts-based course was new territory for us, but one that has demonstrated how creativity and clinical care can complement one another.

For our patients, the benefit is immediate and tangible. For students, the experience of working within a live healthcare environment builds confidence, professional understanding and a deeper appreciation of context and responsibility.

For us as a clinic, it reinforces something we already know: fertility treatment is not just a clinical process. It is an emotional process, and the environment in which that care takes place matters.

We are proud to have worked alongside Nottingham Trent University on this project and look forward to continuing partnerships that bring together education, innovation and compassionate care.

Partner with us

We’re always keen to explore meaningful collaborations that enhance patient experience and strengthen connections between healthcare, education and the wider community.

If you’re a GP, private healthcare provider, university department or organisation interested in partnering with Care Fertility Nottingham, we’d love to start a conversation.

Get in touch with our team to explore how we can work together