Description:

ANTHOLOGY is the identity for RMIT Communication Design’s 2024 graduate exhibition. This year, the show was held inside the RMIT Library, a space that is usually used for study, not for showcasing creative work. Instead of a blank gallery, we were working with a space full of built-in furniture, signs, and visual distractions. Rather than fighting this, we decided to use it as inspiration.

The name ANTHOLOGY reflects the idea of a collection of different voices coming together. Our concept focused on turning something cold and structured into something warm and personal. We did this through a clean, type-based design. We chose a simple, mono-spaced font that felt a little like old library signage, but with some quirks and personality. Brackets, punctuation, and spacing became our design tools, helping everything feel ordered but still human.

One key idea in the project was ‘warm data’. We wanted people to feel connected to the students, not just their work. We used a simple personality preference Q&As (inspired by the MBTI test) to group students into four creative types. We also collected personal answers from each student about their preferences and approach to design.

The design system was simple, flexible, and easy to apply across print, digital, and physical spaces. It helped connect everything in the exhibition without distracting from the student projects. Our aim was not to take centre stage, but to quietly hold the show together with care.

ANTHOLOGY is about turning structure into something meaningful, and celebrating people within a system. It is a tribute to both individuality and collaboration.