Rascal Mueller
original brandRascal Mueller saw a successful launch in May 2021, with pieces now being worn by conscious individuals across Australia.
Navigating the current culture of consumption within art and design consciously and responsibly is challenging. With a lack of transparency being some brands biggest assets - other brands can use visibility and transparency to their advantage. My intentions for my brand Rascal Mueller are to create jewellery that embodied and elevated the rawness of the minerals and materials I am using. While doing this, it would not be responsible to exploit this natural beauty by turning a blind eye to other layers of unethical creation. I have to work in a way that was holistically responsible - all facets of sustainability are considered.
All product, brand imagery, concept and narrative creation is original work.
Creating a display that was cohesive to the brand and the jewellery pieces, I developed and executed a successful retail display which presents Rascal Mueller jewellery in physical retail settings. Adhering to the brand’s principles, the display is created out of recycled and discarded materials.
Establishing informative imagery develops a deeper connection which highlights a unique relationship between the wearer and their pieces.
Lucens Earrings
Painting and Collage
Acrylic, spray paint, collageSporadically changing mediums, collage and paint are refreshing alternatives to more physical or digital works.
(Above) Arrangement of ancient Columbian and Pre-Colombian artefacts dating from 1500BC - 1000AD.
Collage, 600x1400 , Images from Museo del Ora, Bogata, Colombia.
Untitled Comission
Acrylic on canvas, 600x500
Acrylic and spray paint on particle board, 1200x650
Mona Lisa VuittonAcrylic on canvas, 650x400
Photograph
Polaroid, 35mm film and digital photographsMy tool has been a marker in various periods in my life ie. I shot polaroid in my teens, 35mm in my early twenties and digital when I ran out of film for them both.
(Above) River Swim, 2016. Instax Wide.
Buzzcut in Paris, 2016. Instax Wide.
Night out, 2017. Instax Wide.
Harujuku Karaoke, 2019. 35mm.
Chichu, 2019. 35mm.
Mussels off jetty, 2019. 35mm.
Farm, 2019. 35mm.
Tokyo Dusk, 2019. 35mm.
Final shot India, 2019. 35mm.
Barwon Heads, 2019. 35mm.
Aēsop Temporary Wellness Installation
hybrid retail-wellness design conceptHoused in the the industry-domestic hybrid neighbourhood of North Melbourne, Aēsop will present a temporary installation eliciting a sense of calm and wellness to its visitors. The temporary brand diversion will engage communities and individuals with a sense of wellbeing and reconnection that can be experienced on site and importantly, beyond the point of the location. Injecting a neoteric dimension of wellness into their brand, through this branded environment, Aēsop will extend their motivations of elevating personal care to a wellness retail space. Complimenting their products and brand beliefs, internally.
In recent years the growing retail scape surrounding wellness has become greatly apparent. With the rise of ‘lifestyle’, ‘clean beauty’ and ‘self care’, I have observed, that the sector is one that is heavily sales and product based. A sector that has hybridised the market and redefined what retail means to us through recognising a deeper connection between customer and product. Although the sector has a notable lack of consideration for the physical spaces and extensions these wellness targeted products are being sold.
Within a sector that intends to uplift a customer market by targeting products and experiences that contribute to wellness can be met with a comprehensive range of complexities, opportunities and threats. The capstone design concept will be informed by research and experience with the emerging sector and respond in a way that produces a concept that is sensitive, opportunistic and ambitious.
Adopting an industrial palette which celebrates common domestic materials. With a mix of robust, heavy forms as well as light, permeable materials the cohesive space will inform a sense of calm and wellness.
[above] View from the entry of the installation. Pictured is the symbolic hand wash basin, an original interpretation of the brand’s signifying element within their stores across the globe. This specific space has been termed ‘Reconnection’.
‘Reconnection’ elevates and invites visitors to join in conversation, to reconnect with one another following periods of isolation and disconnect. ‘Reconnection’ acts as the central dining table to the space and encourages a explorative flow in and around the surrounding areas within the installation.
Note the use of a select array of materials; Polycarbonate sheeting acts as the primary element, where it is adapted and manipulated into various hues, shapes and textures. The material allows for a beautiful choreography of light and transparency.
[above] View of the Retail space through to the ‘Refuge’ space within the installation. Choosing to delineate spaces based on research and personal interactions with the emerging retail landscape, I actively executed a hierachy of what I felt was important in designing a retail space that prioritised delivering an authentic sense of wellbeing.
[above] View from the entry of the installation. Elliciting an intriguing sense of arrival to the space, I designed what could be called a ‘false solid form’. Using layered sheets of linen, I orchestrate a dramatic yet enveloping sense of arrival into the installation. With the symbolic hand wash basin cantilevering outwards onto the street, attracting unassuming visitors into the installation.
[above] View of the interior of the ‘Rest’ space. The ‘Rest’ space acts as a semi-private seating arrangement within the installation. ‘Rest’ prioritises individual rest and relaxation, but also intends to indirectly connect visitors to be respectful and appreciatative of one another while experiencing the space.
[above] View from the Retail space that extends off the ‘Refuge’(right of frame).
The ‘Refuge’ acts as the most intimate and private space within the installation. Executing a small but effective roster of activities, the private space facilitates short casual classes of calm inducing breathing excercises run by local North Melbourne yoga studio.
Local Post Office
adaptable and responsive design concept
The new Collingwood 3066 LPO is a modern approach to the local post office environment.
Reinvigorating the Australia Post narrative within the historical suburb. Minimal intervention with the existing structure allows for less material use and the celebration of an open plan space allows for great natural light and airflow. The uplifting of local businesses through the cyclical market space subsidises impacts of global markets and their impacts made during postal service, replacing them with local retail opportunities.
I executed this brief using an array of methods and mediums. Using physical and digital drawing solutions, I was able to give my visualistions an approachable tone, while remaining clear and understandable in a spatial sense. Using this method of visualisation reflected the spaces energy and activated the concept.
The space takes a considered approach with delegation of specific zones within the LPO (local post office). Relieving anecdotal customer frustrations with current post office interactions. I have divided spaces based on typical customer interactions and uses of a LPO.
Adapting existing Australia Post brand imagery, I payed homage to the highly intergral company to Australia’s history. Celebrating elements of local imagery as well as presenting conventional yet iconic symbols of the brand.
The uplifting of local businesses through the cyclical market space subsidises impacts of global markets and their impacts made during postal service, replacing them with local retail opportunities.