State Library Victoria’s ‘Vision 2020’ Redevelopment Project aims to refurbish and renew library spaces, create new digital and entrepreneurship centres and connect regional public libraries throughout Victoria.
As part of the ongoing campaign, the library hosted ‘Finish Line at State Library Victoria’—an elegant black-tie fundraising dinner to showcase the picture collection and magnificent event spaces. We were invited to create the event branding and printed collateral. Within a very tight timeframe, we created an overarching visual aesthetic, then designed the invitations, menus, programs, gift tags and signage, not to mention management of all the printed event materials.
The timing of the event coincided with the Melbourne Festival of Racing. We delved into the library’s image collection to source vintage illustrations of Melbourne Cup winners to feature on the invitations and the loveliest of place cards.
We chose two key colours—green and purple—to create a subtle thread of recognition in recipients, from the very first impression when receiving the save-the-date invitations in the post, right through to the event lighting and floral centrepieces.
Print Finishes
The library’s well-loved domed reading room ceiling was the inspiration for a beautiful embossed pattern on the invitations and program folders.
An ambitious program of print finishes—unusual die cut shapes, copper foil and embossed patterns, which absolutely had to line up—kept our printers on their toes!