Alongside the research, I have started developing a more coherent visual language for the Studio Practice document. Up until this point, most of the project has existed as research, writing, diagrams and individual experiments. I now need the visual presentation to communicate the direction of the project without making the technology feel either overly clinical or purely decorative.
The current direction is deliberately clean, restrained and slightly futuristic. I want it to feel connected to biosensing, human-computer interaction and emerging technology, but still remain human and accessible.
I have been developing the document around a pale blue, cream and white palette with very dark grey typography. Frosted and translucent surfaces are also becoming part of the visual language.
The blue gives the project a calm and technical quality, while the warmer cream prevents it from becoming completely cold or medical. The frosted treatment works well because it suggests layers, sensing and information without relying on obvious science-fiction graphics.
I want the pages to feel controlled and spacious because the project itself is concerned with reducing cognitive demand and making complex information easier to understand.
The visual system should demonstrate the same principles I am arguing for in the project: clarity, control and reduced unnecessary demand.
I have been testing PF Marlet Display for larger title moments alongside Acumin Pro for smaller supporting information.
I like the contrast because the display type gives the project more personality and prevents it from looking like a standard medical report, while Acumin keeps the information clear and contemporary.
For smaller labels and technical information I am using lighter weights and uppercase text sparingly. I do not want the visual language to become so stylised that the research becomes harder to read.
For the project’s visual language, I have been experimenting with very large typography, cropped at the edge of pages so that it becomes part of the composition. This is a layout exploration rather than an agreed project name or logo.
Conceptually, the name also creates an interesting contrast with air travel. It can suggest regulation, stability and returning to a manageable state while still connecting to the physical idea of being on the ground.
I am keeping this as a developing identity rather than treating the branding as finished.
The image direction has also become more focused.
I have been developing pages around VR, the eye, auditory interaction, haptics, neurons, biosignals, wearables and neuroergonomics. Rather than using generic stock imagery, I want the images to help explain the changing research landscape and make technical subjects feel visually understandable.
The biotechnology moodboard was particularly useful because it allowed me to place different possibilities beside one another: wrist-worn sensing, ring sensors, adhesive patches, electronic tattoos, wearable necklaces, auditory devices, AR glasses, haptics and immersive VR.