Visual Communication Design

Visual designers create and communicate through visual means to influence everyday life for individuals and communities. VCE Visual Communication Design examines the ways visual languages can convey ideas and information in the fields of communication and environmental and industrial design. The study relies on drawing as the primary component of visual language to support the conception and visualisation of ideas.

The selected works demonstrate design processes that employ critical, creative and reflective thinking. Students have developed their visual communication presentations through the selection and manipulation of design elements, media, materials and methods. These works have been shaped by considerations of aesthetics and functionality, alongside social, cultural, environmental and economic factors.

Meishan Guo

McKinnon Secondary College, McKinnon
Bunurong Country

The front and back cover of a book, depicting a cartoon cat, a plate of sushi, a teapot and a spilt coffee cup. White text reads ‘To the world’s most annoying cat but the cutest, Tuffy, Michelle Guo’. — *Tuffy* by Meishan Guo, Top Designs 2023. Courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Tuffy

Children’s book

Inkjet print, paperboard, paper

Phone application presentation board

Inkjet print, paper, foam board

Human Welfare required a pet-based picture book and phone application for children aged 6–12 and young adults aged 13–23. A character presentation board was also required to welcome and engage their customers. The simple illustrations and soothing colours evoke a sense of calm, ensuring a relaxed user experience. This aligns with the brand’s goal of promoting ways to manage stress and raising awareness of mental health issues.

Alexandra Jacobson

Rosehill Secondary College, Niddrie
Wurundjeri Country

Sprout Restaurant by Alexandra Jacobson, Top Designs 2023. Photograph by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Sprout Restaurant

Sprout branding and merchandise

Inkjet print, craft paper, coffee cup, bamboo container, bamboo cutlery, t-shirt, tote bag

‘Simply Food’ book cover design

Inkjet print, paper

Sprout has an organic and food-focused philosophy. Fresh, organic, natural flavours are at the centre of every meal. This concept carries through the cohesive branding experience including logo, style guide and restaurant-related merchandise. Customers are inspired to bring the experience and recipes of Sprout home through the ‘Simply Food’ cookbook. The naturally vibrant colours of fresh food are emphasised through vivid cross-sections, creating a unique and eye-catching book cover that intends to capture the essence of the delectable recipes within.

Sasha Joe

Lauriston Girls' School, Armadale
Wurundjeri Country

A close-up photo of an architectural model, depicting people in a gallery space. The wall reads ‘The Future of Vision’. — *Videre Exhibition* by Sasha Joe, Top Designs 2023. Photograph by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Videre Exhibition

Videre Exhibition architectural model

Acrylic sheets, paper, laser jet print, foam core, polystyrene

Videre Exhibition promotional material

Paper, block printing ink, inkjet print

The client, Tech Through Time, required promotional material and a design for an interactive exhibition focusing on the history of vision enhancement. Targeted towards teenagers and young adults, the promotional material combines both digital and manual methods to celebrate the intersection of science and creative processes. The exhibition layout draws inspiration from the way in which we see the world, allowing visitors to move through the space as if they were light entering the human eye.

Emily Knight

Yarra Valley Grammar School, Ringwood
Wurundjeri Country

Kenkō

Brand logo and promotional set

Inkjet print, card, paper, sticker paper

Can packaging and box

Inkjet print, paper, sticker paper, clear plastic cans

KENKŌ is a brand that creates organic, naturally brewed kombucha. They required a logo and promotional material that included a poster, coaster, stickers and shelf wobbler for their store. It was important that a consistent, minimalistic aesthetic was maintained to reinforce the brand identity. KENKŌ also required designs for three separate kombucha flavours. These are displayed on clear cans to create a unique point of difference for the brand. A consistent aesthetic is maintained across all designs, including a packaging box, by using mountain illustrations throughout.

Chiara Lestino

Galen Catholic College, Wangaratta
Yorta Yorta Country

A close-up photograph of small coloured boxes of packaging. The image focuses primarily on a green box, which has text reading ‘Matcha Puffs’ and two cartoon flowers. — *Kobuko Dessert Shop* by Chiara Lestino, Top Designs 2023. Photograph by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Kobuko Dessert Shop

Branding and packaging

Inkjet print, card, paper

Display unit

Inkjet print, paper

Kobuko is a new dessert shop and cafe located in Melbourne that sell a fusion of Filipino, Korean and Japanese desserts. They required a brand identity and packaging. Additionally, Kobuko required an engaging and memorable display unit that will encourage the sale of their products. A unique and emotive logo, with colours and playful shapes, creates a cohesive branding that can also be used throughout the shop interior.

Aidan Maher

Ringwood Secondary College, Ringwood
Wurundjeri Country

Urban Fringe

Branding, cheese packaging and serving board

Inkjet print, paper, laser etched acacia wood

Salt and pepper shakers

3D printed PLA and TPU, inkjet print, paper

The combined deli and café at Urban Fringe Dairy offers a unique reimagining of the traditional farmhouse experience. The branding utilises a modern minimalist aesthetic, incorporating geometric shapes that are reminiscent of artisan cheese forms. The salt and pepper shakers concept, consistent with the brand’s focus on geometry, ensures that the cohesive branding experience extends all the way to the café table. Urban and rural meet in a magnetised, interlocking form that unites the bold shapes and flowing curves to produce an engaging yet functional design.

William May

Marcellin College, Bulleen
Wurundjeri Country

A close-up photo of an architectural model made of plywood and cardboard, with a geometric structure. — *CANVAS pod* by William May, Top Designs 2023. Photograph by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

CANVAS pod

Brand identity and user guide

Foam core, inkjet print

CANVAS pod and scaled model

Balsa wood, card, inkjet print, foam core

CANVAS required the creation of a brand identity and environmental design for their ethically made pods, located across regional Victoria. The observatory-like design fully immerses guests in their surroundings and offers escape from the buzz of the city. The use of imagery, symbols and the colour navy in the branding and user guide link to the pod’s context, reflecting the mission of CANVAS as a brand.

Katja Medd

Brighton Secondary College, Brighton
Bunurong Country

Möbel Ändern Shelves

Adaptable shelving system

Pine wood, PLA plastic

Instructions and packaging

Toner print, paper

Möbel furniture company required a unique, adaptable and easy-to-use shelving system, targeted at creative adults aged 25–50. Branded instructions and packaging were also required. The simple form and intuitive design allow users to be limited only by their own creativity.

Eloise Roberts

Ivanhoe Grammar School, Ivanhoe
Wurundjeri Country

The LightBox Community Stage Space

Stage space 3D model

Plywood, grout, tissue paper, wire, glue, LED lights

Promotional event poster and flyers with light business cards

Paper, card stock

The City of Port Philip Council required the design of an outdoor community stage space and advertisement for the opening night of an event targeted at the local residents of St Kilda. The space was expected to be inclusive, relaxing and versatile for different events, reflecting the context of St Kilda. The advertisement needed to work visually with the design of the stage space, using both type and graphics to effectively promote the event.

Emma Simmonds

Padua College, Mornington
Bunurong Country

Evergreen Wander

Magazine

Inkjet print, cartridge paper, book-binding tape, double-sided tape

Postcards

Inkjet print, silk paper

Evergreen Wander is an independent Australian magazine business that releases monthly magazines with a range of accompanying promotional postcards. Evergreen Wander is focused on creating fun, inspirational articles that explore art, nature, travel and food. The postcards celebrate the unique imagery of artists, illustrators and designers who are featured in each magazine release.

Candice (Tangtang) Sun

Genazzano F.C.J. College, Kew
Wurundjeri Country

A close-up photo of a colourful board game. There is a deck of cards turned face down, pink and blue game pieces, and one card face up that shows a drawing of a snake. — *Shame Away & W!LD* by Candice (Tangtang) Sun, Top Designs 2023. Photograph by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Shame Away & W!LD

Shame Away mobile application and promotional video

Inkjet print, satin paper, video

W!LD board game and packaging

Inkjet print, satin paper, card, 3D printing

The not-for-profit organisation Femelle.power.org (FPO) recognises an increase in women experiencing low self-esteem and battling negative body image. FPO believes that this is the main factor influencing the mental wellbeing of women across Australia and wished to develop a mobile application and a board game to bring warmth to those in need. Their goal is to improve young women’s confidence by promoting the value of self-esteem and raising awareness of young women’s mental health within the broader community.

Asha M Surujpal

Heathdale Christian College, Hoppers Crossing
Bunurong Country

Square packaging and a yellow bottle, both with text that reads ‘cleanser’. There is braille on the packaging and bottle. — *Theia & Helios* by Asha M Surujpal, Top Designs 2023. Photograph by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Theia & Helios

Logo, branding and accessible packaging for the visually impaired community

Inkjet print, foam board

Accessible skincare bottles for the visually impaired community, including 3D model

Cricut smart vinyl, inkjet print, foam board, TierTime UP300 3D printer, yellow ABS filament

Theia & Helios is an Australian skincare company that champions innovation, diversity, accessibility and inclusion. Their goal was to create an accessible skincare range for those in the vision-impaired community, regardless of their braille fluency, because only 10 per cent of vision-impaired people can read braille. This brief was fulfilled through the conscious inclusion of multiple touchpoints. Specifically, the braille, tactile step indicators and the QR-code-activated audible resources empower consumers to independently access products that make them feel confident, fresh and hygienic.

Siena Tieri

Genazzano F.C.J. College, Kew
Wurundjeri Country

Ganbu Barin by Siena Tieri, Top Designs 2023. Photograph by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Ganbu Barin

Presentation board and 3D model

Inkjet print, card, foam board, paint, plastic

Logo design, business card and clothing

Inkjet print, paper, card, foam board, cotton

My Aboriginal heritage was my inspiration to create Ganbu Barin Community Arts Centre: a structure that captures Aboriginal culture, Country and community. Ganbu Barin encourages coming together to gather, yarn and respectfully engage with others on the Traditional Lands of the Wurundjeri people and celebrates the rich history and contribution of First Nations Peoples. The Art Centre consists of an information desk, gift store, kitchen, cafe, art studio, multi-purpose room and gallery/exhibition space.

Felice Todd

Avila College, Mount Waverley
Wurundjeri Country

Three art supply storage units, which all have logos reading ‘Artystree’. There is a large card box with a handle and gold hinge, paintbrush holder, and green and white packaging. — *Artystree Art and Supply Brand* by Felice Todd, Top Designs 2023. Courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Artystree Art and Supply Brand

Logo identity, branding samples, and storage unit packaging

Inkjet print, vinyl, pencil cases, plastic tin, paint brush, card, acetate, ribbon

Artystree storage unit

Card, vinyl, foam core, paper, leather, hinges, screws, wood

Artystree, a Melbourne-based art supplies company, required the development of a brand identity, applied to an array of products to promote the brand. The company’s values of self-expression and sustainability were emphasised through the illustrations and implementation of selected design elements and principles. The second presentation, a transportable storage unit, uses lightweight card and celebrates the brand identity. This unit was designed to ensure optimal organisation and storage of art-related objects and materials.

Tiffany Vuong

Marian College, Sunshine West
Wurundjeri Country

Meng Yu Teahouse by Tiffany Vuong, Top Designs 2023. Photograph by Nicole Cleary, courtesy of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Meng Yu Teahouse

Logo design presentation boards, packaging, business cards and merchandise

Inkjet print, foam core, paper, plastic, card, canvas fabric

3D architectural model and presentation board

Inkjet print, wood, paper, LED lighting, foam core

The Meng Yu Teahouse utilises the natural textures and colours of locally sourced wood to reflect its organic brand of cozy tea drinks and desserts. Originally from Taiwan, founder Wen Lee aspires to grow his brand by franchising internationally and sought to reimagine the logo and architectural design in the Melbourne store. Wen Lee intends to celebrate a new era that blends the beauty of traditional East-Asian architecture with contemporary Australian architectural styles. The brand identity is presented through a 3D model, presentation board and merchandise and packaging samples.