Vanishing Dublin
"‘Vanishing Dublin’ is the title and subject of an upcoming conference held by the Architectural Association of Ireland (AAI) in Dublin Castle. The conference will discuss how these 20th century buildings provide an important living archive for this time when Ireland moved towards being modern, outward looking and confident. The brief requires designs for a digital and print element that compliments the discussion and theme of the conference. Using archival material on the Central Bank, make a simple strategy for information/material that could interface with these delegates".
This assignment required me to look back on the Central Bank building to before it was built. During a class trip to the Irish Architectural Archive in Merrion Square, I was able to utilise their large amount of material. While investigating the archive, I discovered old photographs, concept art and floor plans of the original Central Bank.
Starting the design process for this project, I decided to create postcards as my print element. Postcards often feature iconic landmarks associated with cities, unfortunately this never applies to Central Bank. I want the postcards to change people’s opinion of the building and notice it as the iconic Dublin landmark that it is. I began sketching simple thumbnails of Central Bank from across the decades. Trying to decide placement of text and perspectives. I also tried experimenting with portrait shaped postcards.
After the sketching stage, I began translating the thumbnails onto Photoshop. I experimented with multiple photographs taken from the Irish Architectural Archive as well as my own. I decided I want the postcards to show Central Bank from a unique perspective. Considering I want people to view the building differently, this should reflect onto the postcard.
Similar to the poster, I started designing the postcards in colour before eventually keeping the black/white colour scheme. As this went on, the postcards became more illustrated in
appearance. Keeping to the theme of Vanishing Dublin. Each card is a photograph of the building from different years. Starting with its construction in 1976, it’s completion in 1978, to today. Postcards also utilise the Source Sans typeface at 9pt. I used both Regular and Light fonts in order to match the AAI logo. While at the conference, attendees can choose from a selection of postcards based on the several buildings that will be discussed. My postcards are from the Central Bank collection. Each pack comes with 4 unique postcards
depicting the building throughout it’s stages of life.
appearance. Keeping to the theme of Vanishing Dublin. Each card is a photograph of the building from different years. Starting with its construction in 1976, it’s completion in 1978, to today. Postcards also utilise the Source Sans typeface at 9pt. I used both Regular and Light fonts in order to match the AAI logo. While at the conference, attendees can choose from a selection of postcards based on the several buildings that will be discussed. My postcards are from the Central Bank collection. Each pack comes with 4 unique postcards
depicting the building throughout it’s stages of life.
The final pieces for the print element of this project consist of an A2 Poster and 4 A6 Postcards. All of these elements maintain consistent branding for the Vanishing Dublin conference hosted by the Architectural Association of Ireland. Each element includes a unique design of the Central Bank from across the decades, solidifying this building as a living archive from the 20th century Ireland. Sticking to a strict black/white colour scheme, all print elements stay true to the AAI brand while also purposing a new creative design.
