VA / On the move
After a complex yet successful re-branding project directed by Power Graphixx Inc and Gittz earlier in 2008, Via Alley (VA) is making another move - relocating to a better and bigger space in 2009. In order to spread the news among their supporters, we have collaborated with VA to design a poster announcing the big move.
Having given complete creative freedom by the team at VA, we then proposed a bold and playful concept for the design. As according to the re-branding project finalised earlier on, we have incorporated the new guidelines and hence led to the use of Helvetica for this project.
The poster consists of four main design elements. They are the new logo, a heading, paragraphs of text provided by the VA team and a diagonally placed arrow. The first three components are pretty much communicating directly about the news. When it comes to the arrow, we would like to let you know a bit more about it.
The bold and eye catching graphical arrow contains layers of meaning within the design:
1. Some of you might have noticed the relationship between the angle of the diagonal line and the new VA logo. The intension is to address the new graphic identities of the space as well as suggesting the new direction taken by the VA team.
2. If you are familiar with the area where VA is located (Darlinghurst/Surry Hills), you will know how hilly it is. While the text mentioned where the new location will be “up the hill”, the arrow is aiming to visually represent the content of the paragraphs to a certain extent.
3. When reading the poster at the current shop front, the arrow is pointing towards the new site where VA will be located in 2009.
4. Similarly, when looking at a map from an aerial view, the arrow is again pointing from the current location towards the new space of VA.
In other words, it is a site specific poster that we have designed. From the mockup image above, you can see that the (old) shop front, with the poster purposely covering the old logo of the store to announce the news officially to the public.
Digital output in A3 size on heavy gloss stock
Oh eight, oh nine!
In October, we were invited by the head of COFA’s School of Design Studies to submit a design for the university’s 08-09 seasons greeting card.
For this project, there wasn’t really a brief but rather we were given the freedom to develop a framework by ourselves. Along with our understanding that the card will be used to deliver the happiness across the globe; we then developed the main concept for this project - connecting the cities, from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere and to the rest of the world.
In the end, our design didn’t get to proceed further. However, we think that it would be good to put them up here for those who are interested to see our work. To us, the design will nolonger be valid after this year and we would like to put it in good use. We have decided to publish this design under our name in a small run to keep the concept rolling. Cards will be sent to friends and design studios around the world whose we love & respect. We are hoping to cheer them up in this old fashion way. (note: there were another dozens of designers and studios that we tried to send a card as well but we just wasn’t able to find their addresses at the time; and we still feel bad. 10.30.2009)
If you happen to be reading about our work(s) and would like to receive one of these festive fellas, just get in touch with us. We do have a small amount of them sitting around our studio.
Offset-printed on front & back
DL size (99×210mm)
Uncoated, 300gsm, 100% recycled stock
We would like to thank Ms Liz Williamson for inviting us to work on this project at the very beginning. We were deeply delighted although the project didn’t go as smooth towards the end.