KVDF '17
Academic Forum
Translating the Process: A Visual Identity for Architectural Inquiry.
The Kurula Varkey Design Forum (KVDF), founded in 2000, is a distinguished academic platform focused on architectural discourse. It uniquely uses student projects as a springboard for conversations, bridging the gap between academia and professional architectural practice. In 2017, the KVDF sought a visual identity to represent that year’s theme, which delved into the deep-rooted nature of architectural processes. The forum explored complex debates around digital versus physical design, the role of intangibles and non-material elements, and the very path of the creative process itself. The Challenge The primary challenge was to translate a complex, open-ended theme into a bold and clear visual language. This identity needed to resonate with both students and seasoned professionals. The goal was to create a graphic system that was fresh and forward-thinking, while also capturing the spirit of inquiry and the iterative nature of architectural work.
The Strategy The creative strategy was rooted in the non-linear, messy, and iterative nature of the architectural design process. We recognised that this process is one of trials, errors, and continuous refinement. This raw, exploratory journey became the core of the visual concept.
The Final Output The final visual identity blended hand-drawn elements with digital graphics, creating a dynamic dialogue between the tactile and the precise. A "collage effect" was central to the design, emphasizing the fragmented and layered nature of architectural exploration. Intentional juxtapositions of overlapping sketches, clashing textures, and dynamic compositions captured the energy and complexity of the creative process. The resulting graphic system successfully embodied the spirit of inquiry and intellectual rigor that defines the KVDF forum.
