Museum at FIT
CATEGORY
Transmedia Identity System
DETAILS
The Museum at FIT is a fashion museum with exhibits designed to be both beautiful and intelligent. With this concept in mind, I designed the museum's graphic language with inspiration from jacquard loom punch cards. As proto-computers, jacquard looms symbolize the connection between technology and fashion. The circular holes in the punch cards heavily informed my work. From image containers to a dot-based custom typeface, circular motifs became integral to my identity design for the museum.
The logo for the museum is comprised of dots, arranged in a grided system. The layout and shape language draws visual inspiration from the punch cards used to indicate the patterns that the jacquard loom is to create.
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Using posters as a starting point, I established a system on which to build the rest of the identity elements. Circles, inspired by the punch cards used by early mechanical looms, are used as containers for interchanging photos, text, or images.
Using posters as a starting point, I established a system on which to build the rest of the identity elements. Circles, inspired by the punch cards used by early mechanical looms, are used as containers for interchanging photos, text, or images.
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Designing posters for the new identity was informative throughout the rest of the project. The posters were pivotal in figuring out how to turn the logo into an expansive visual language.
Designing posters for the new identity was informative throughout the rest of the project. The posters were pivotal in figuring out how to turn the logo into an expansive visual language.
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All together, these posters (and the design moves I found while working on the) were inspired the intimate connection between fashion and cultural/technological changes.
All together, these posters (and the design moves I found while working on the) were inspired the intimate connection between fashion and cultural/technological changes.
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Throughout the poster series, a monospace typeface evokes technological advancements that serves as a subtle complement to the dotted type.
Throughout the poster series, a monospace typeface evokes technological advancements that serves as a subtle complement to the dotted type.
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The custom typeface in both upper and lowercase creates a unique and immediately identifiable display type that unites the logo with the rest of the visual identity system.
The custom typeface in both upper and lowercase creates a unique and immediately identifiable display type that unites the logo with the rest of the visual identity system.
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In a reimagined space, the identity elements create a dramatic sense of scale with the brand colors off-setting the building materials.
In a reimagined space, the identity elements create a dramatic sense of scale with the brand colors off-setting the building materials.
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I was intreguiged by the way the identity could live at different scales and function in different ways at different sizes. At a large scale, the custom-typeface designed for the museum functions as both a graphic and an architectural element.
I was intreguiged by the way the identity could live at different scales and function in different ways at different sizes. At a large scale, the custom-typeface designed for the museum functions as both a graphic and an architectural element.
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The dots comprising the base of the visual identity are adapted into containers for the wayfinding system within the museum.
The dots comprising the base of the visual identity are adapted into containers for the wayfinding system within the museum.
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In application, the wayfinding signs are embossed into the wall to give them a tactile feeling that evokes the punched holes in proto-mechanical loom punch cards.
In application, the wayfinding signs are embossed into the wall to give them a tactile feeling that evokes the punched holes in proto-mechanical loom punch cards.
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The website for the museum retains the museum's signature duo-tone imagery and dot-based typeface to draw attention to the museum's primary resources and offerings
The website for the museum retains the museum's signature duo-tone imagery and dot-based typeface to draw attention to the museum's primary resources and offerings
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Designing the website tested the typographic system with more dense information at a smaller scale. The streamlined color palette and use of the display type unite the different pages of the website.
Designing the website tested the typographic system with more dense information at a smaller scale. The streamlined color palette and use of the display type unite the different pages of the website.
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On social media, a streamlined color palette maintains visual continuity, and entertaining fashion-based facts create engaging content.
On social media, a streamlined color palette maintains visual continuity, and entertaining fashion-based facts create engaging content.
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Tote bags available for sale feature fashion photography from different eras, with the logo cut-out of the image.
Tote bags available for sale feature fashion photography from different eras, with the logo cut-out of the image.
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The business cards integrate off-set dots and type to capture the playful feeling of the identity system.
The business cards integrate off-set dots and type to capture the playful feeling of the identity system.
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Designing stationery allowed me to see how the identity could adapt to small-scale information. Minimized use of the display type allowed the stationery to maintain legibility while still aligning with the visual identity.
Designing stationery allowed me to see how the identity could adapt to small-scale information. Minimized use of the display type allowed the stationery to maintain legibility while still aligning with the visual identity.
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I designed interchangeable color palettes for the stationery and envelopes to express seasonal changes or special exhibitions.
I designed interchangeable color palettes for the stationery and envelopes to express seasonal changes or special exhibitions.
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The front of the envelopes features a punched-out version logo as a central element, allowing the stationery to show through.
The front of the envelopes features a punched-out version logo as a central element, allowing the stationery to show through.
