jonathan barnbrook at biennale of sydney 2010

detail of corporate identity for the 17th biennale of sydney designed by barnbrook


british graphic designer and typographer jonathan barnbrook was commissioned to create
an expansive visual identity for the 17th biennale of sydney 2010 in australia, including
the catalogue. he developed the corporate identity as a modular system so that it could
be arranged in various ways.



corporate identity for the 17th biennale of sydney designed by barnbrook



view of cockatoo island with official signage -  barnbrook developed the biennale's visual identity
image © designboom


according to jonathan barnbrook:
'design shapes the environment, changing the way we perceive things and informing
our choices. design is a culturally valid form of expression with something to say'.



17th biennale of sydney city banners by barnbrook




'a cock or two: a prison, a gallery', 2010
typographic phrase on aluminium sheet
photo by designboom


barnbrook has also created a series of site-specific typographic phrases 'a cock or two',
which appear across cockatoo island, the main venue of the biennale. here the design
reads 'a prison, a gallery. both rarified spaces, a confidence trick means residence here.'





'a cock or two: a prison, a gallery', 2010
typographic phrase on aluminium sheet
image © designboom



'a cock or two: ships were once built here', 2010
typographic phrase on aluminium sheet
image © designboom


'ships were once built here, across the water, to see the newest empty vessels.'



'a cock or two: ships were once built here', 2010 (detail)
typographic phrase on aluminium sheet
photo by designboom



'the cockatoos still continue to preen themselves while we all applaud'
typographic phrase on aluminium sheet
image © designboom



jonathan barnbrook
portrait © designboom



'no danger of attack. great white toothless (and very, very rich) sharks bask here'
typographic phrase on aluminium sheet
image © designboom


jonathan barnbrook was born in luton, UK in 1966. since graduating in graphic design
from st. martin's school of art and the royal college of art in london, jonathan barnbrook
has developed a multi-faceted practice that includes activism, graphic and typeface design,
industrial design and motion graphics. he has previously art directed for adbusters,
the anti-corporate collective.