Viscom revision

cultural

Cultural context encompasses the social, historical, and cultural factors that shape the creation and interpretation of visual communication

social

Social factors can profoundly affect audiences' behaviour and attitudes

technological

Technological factors refer to new advances in technology and equipment to aid in design and manufacture.

methods

The processes used to make visual communications such as drawing, printing, 3D process, digital methods.

media

The digital or traditional applications/tools used such as pencil, ink(pen), Photoshop(raster based), Illustrator(vector based).

materials

The surfaces that the media are applied to such as Paper, card, screen, textile

Gestalt principles

Continuity, proximity, similarity, closure, common fate, figure ground, focal point

Design principles

figure ground, balance, contrast, cropping, hierarchy, proportion, scale, pattern

Design elements

point, line, shape, form, colour, tone, texture, type

Environments

Spaces designed to communicate a specific experiences

Objects

Visual elements used to communicate design ideas.

Messages

Communicate ideas through visual elements and design.

divergent thinking

Generating creative, varied design ideas

Convergent thinking

Focuses on finding a single solution.

Good design

Good design is Innovative, Useful, Aesthetic, Understandable, Unobtrusive, Honest, Long lasting, Thorough down to the last detail, Environmentally friendly, and as Little Design as Possible

Presentation 1: Environments | Verdantia tower exterior

The first presentation will showcase the exterior design of Verdantia Tower, a skyscraper seamlessly integrating nature and architecture. A 3D model/rendering in two point perspective will depict the tower within its urban environment, highlighting its vertical forest, lush terraces, and sky gardens that enhance biodiversity and air quality. With a sleek glass facade softened by living walls, climbing plants, and timber accents, the design emphasises biophilic integration, creating a sustainable and visually striking addition to the cityscape.

Presentation 2: Environments + Objects | Lighting and lobby design

The second presentation will showcase Verdantia Tower’s interior, focusing on the foyer and a selected room to highlight its fusion of sustainability and modern design. A key feature will be a custom-designed chandelier or light fixture, crafted from sustainable materials. Initially explored through a one point perspective or orthogonal drawing, it will be refined in a 3D model. The interior visualisation will emphasise natural lighting, organic textures, and biophilic elements, ensuring seamless integration with the tower’s eco conscious vision.

Ethical obligations

ethical obligations are about doing what is right and fair in design, even if it’s not a legal requirement.

My client

A forward thinking urban development firm led by Lucy Wayne, an expert in sustainable architecture and eco conscious innovation. Specialise in designing self sustaining smart structures that reduce environmental impact while enhancing urban living.To pioneer the future of green cities using smart technology, energy efficient designs, and biophilic integration.

Discover phase

Involves researching and gathering information.

Define phase

Clarifies the design problem and sets goals.

Develop phase

Refines and finalises design concepts.

Deliver phase

Finalising and presenting the design solution.

My design problem

To reduce C02 emissions and improve aiur quality throiuugh environments + object design, sustainable practices and bioliving/biophilic elements

Aesthetic qualities

Aesthetic qualities are features of an object, artwork, or design that relate to its beauty, sensory appeal, and emotional impact, influencing how it is perceived and experienced

GITPAID

Guide, identify, teach, promote, advertise, inform, depict

synthesise

To synthesise research means to combine different ideas, sources, and inspirations into one new, original design direction.

SCAMPER

Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate and Rearrange.

PMI

plus minus interesting

Design brief (how to write one)

Client, Target audience, then presentation one or two (depends on how many), purpose, possible presentation formats, context, constraints and considerations, signatures.

Jeanne Gang

Jeanne Gang is an American architect and founder of Studio Gang, known for her innovative, sustainable, and community-driven designs. Her influences include environmental issues, natural forms, and urban ecosystems, inspiring her to merge architecture with ecological awareness. She has strong skills in sustainable high-rise design, using light, materiality, and form to enhance urban life. A key project, the Aqua Tower in Chicago, shows her use of a flowing, wave-like visual language inspired by water and topography, creating balconies that maximise views, natural light, and reduce wind. Gang has contributed to design practice by advancing sustainable skyscrapers and involving community consultation in her design process. She has worked with engineers, sustainability experts, and environmental consultants to refine projects. Future designs aim to balance ecological resilience and social impact, addressing climate change and urban density. Her work demonstrates the principles of “good design” innovative form, functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal.

Tatiana Bilbao

Tatiana Bilbao is a Mexican architect recognised for blending modern architecture with social and cultural context. Her influences stem from Mexico’s diverse landscapes, traditions, and social inequality, leading her to design buildings that are affordable, adaptable, and deeply connected to place. Bilbao’s skills lie in using local materials, modular systems, and geometric experimentation to produce inclusive, human-centred designs. Through her practice, she has contributed to architecture by prioritising social housing and accessibility, challenging the exclusivity of modernist design. She collaborates with local craftspeople, engineers, and urban planners, ensuring her work reflects both technical expertise and cultural identity. Future designs continue to address housing shortages, sustainability, and cultural integration. Her visual language uses raw textures, modular shapes, and natural integration to create designs that are context-driven yet contemporary. This reflects the ideals of good design, social responsibility, cultural respect, adaptability, and environmental sensitivity.

Comparative of Gang + Bilbao

Jeanne Gang and Tatiana Bilbao are both internationally recognised architects who prioritise sustainability, collaboration, and human centred design, yet their approaches differ in focus and expression. Gang, founder of Studio Gang, is best known for innovative skyscrapers like the Aqua Tower, where her wave like visual language draws from natural systems to address urban density, climate resilience, and ecological integration. In contrast, Bilbao’s practice in Mexico is rooted in social responsibility, producing affordable housing and cultural projects that use modular systems, raw textures, and local materials to reflect tradition and identity while tackling inequality. While both share commitments to good design principles sustainability, functionality, and inclusivity Gang’s designs elevate high-rise urban living, whereas Bilbao’s work emphasises cultural context and accessibility in everyday architecture.

economic

These refer to the financial conditions that impact the design process and the final outcome of a design.

interactive experience

Engages users through active participation.

legal obligations

legal obligations mean the rules and laws that designers must follow when creating and presenting their work.

Examples of ethical obligations

Designers must create safe, accessible, honest, culturally sensitive, inclusive, socially responsible, privacy-protecting, and environmentally sustainable messages, experiences, objects, and environments

Examples of legal obligations

Designers must follow laws related to copyright, intellectual property, workplace health and safety, accessibility standards, privacy regulations, and consumer protection when creating messages, experiences, objects, and environments.

High fidelity

detailed, realistic, almost final version.

Low fidelity

rough, simple, early version (sketch or wireframe).

Flats

2D outline of a design or layout

Wireframe

layout plan showing structure (used in apps/websites)

IP (Intellectual Property)

legal protection for creative ideas

Patent

protects inventions or new technology

Trademark

protects brand names, logos, and symbols.

Unregistered right

automatic protection for design shape/config

Copyright

protects creative work like art, writing, or music

Circular Design

reuses and recycles materials — reduces waste

Planometric drawing

3D-looking environment drawn at an angle

Scale

size ratio between drawing and real object.

Rendering

add tone, colour, and shadow for realism.

Contrast

light vs dark, makes things stand out.

Shadows + Light

add depth and realism

Specialists

experts in certain stages (like architects, designers)

Purpose of visuals

to inform, explain, or show ideas clearly

Formats

how designs are presented (poster, model, digital)

VC examples

Product = sketches, renders, Environmental = floor plans, 3D drawings, Communication = posters, logos

Good Design Awards

Australian awards that recognise creative, innovative, and sustainable designs.

Stakeholders

People or groups affected by or involved in a design project.

Shareholders

People or companies that own part of a business and profit from it.