Skin + Bones
Exhibition Graphics / Marketing / April 08

We were commissioned by Somerset House in London to design all the graphic elements for Skin + Bones, the inaugral exhibition in the new Embankment Galleries. The exhibition explores how fashion and architecture have influenced each other since the 1980’s, and discusses how the two industries use similar processes and materials, often just at different scales. It also approaches how some more theoretical and conceptual designers question the theory of clothing being created just for wearing — ie. can one live in an item of clothing?

We wanted to create text that referred to materials and processes used by both the fashion and architectural industries, something both structural and tactile. The idea conjured up by the title of the show — Skin + Bones also steered us into thinking about structure and coverings. We used pin and thread pictures as a starting point as they combine the hardness and structure of nails with delicate textile threads, but it was important to us that we moved things on from the overly ‘craft’ look of these pieces. Many of the exhibits in the show are couture or use bespoke fabricated elements so it was important to us that the finished item looked elegant, precise and beautiful rather than crafty or home made.

Within the pin and thread idea, we experimented and prototyped many combinations of materials before we found the exact balance needed. We tried metal nails, black acrylic rods and upholstery pins and combinations of waxed cord, wool and wire. Our final choice of clear acrylic rods and two weights of silvered textile thread gave quite a technical yet ethereal looking piece that could be seen as part of an architectural structure, or perhaps part of some intricate weaving or futuristic lace making. Interestingly, due to its large scale (each letter is approximately 400mm sq) the finished signage resembled architectural models similar to those appearing in the exhibition.

Due to the dark environment required for the exhibits, internal graphics and labelling would be very hard to read so we kept them to a minimum, providing a 120 page illustrated in-depth brochure guide for the visitor to work alongside very simple caption labels. They could then take these away with them for future reference.

Alongside the exhibition graphics we designed all the marketing matererial including invitations, posters, banners and advertisements.