What better way is there to celebrate turning 100 than with a one-of-a-kind art installation? The answer: none. At Bonds, we like to go big – especially when it comes to our 100th birthday. Which is why we enlisted the help of six crazy-talented artists to help us make our dreams of an epic mural come true.
One of those artists is Kate Pullen, an emerging illustrator and letterer, who really knows her graphic design. Not only does she produce gorgeous typographic quotes that send Instagrammers into a frenzy, she also sits on the Victorian Council for the Australian Graphic Design Association and will soon curate her first group exhibition, working with artists to support youth mental health. Find out more about Kate in our Q&A with her below…
What Bonds item can't you live without?
Undies! I can never resist adding another pair to the collection.
How would you describe your design aesthetic? I’m still trying to work this one out, but right now there’s usually pops of colour, maybe a little grit, but overall it’s pretty feminine. This is mostly unintentional! But when you’re working on pieces that aren’t bound by a brief, you start to notice elements and techniques that continue to bubble to the surface, and I’ve begun to realise that these are often mirrored by the clothes I choose, the music I listen to, and the movies I love.
What first got you into typography?
For me, I think it was more my love of words and stories that slowly led me down the path of typography and hand lettering. Time for a little cheese, but I think I can blame Dad for this one, and my childhood bedtime stories!
What was the inspiration for your Bonds design?
My word – ‘wild’ - seemed to instantly connect with the patterns that sprawled across the Bonds range, and it was easy to get lost in images of adventure and exploration. The leaves that appear throughout these patterns gave way to a vine-like type that twisted its way onto the page. It was a lot of fun to create!
When you think of Bonds, what springs to mind?
I’ve been wearing Bonds for as long as I can remember, and it seems to immediately conjure up images of family BBQs out on the deck, our dog basking in the sun; summers spent by the beach; and mum having to drag my brother and I from the pool at 8pm, two giant prunes with teeth chattering.
If you could be any font, which one would you be, and why?
Something hand drawn. I’m constantly making mistakes but hopefully there’s something kinda nice that (eventually) comes out of my missteps and failed attempts!
View the full wall on Instagram at @bonds100art here.
Keen to check it out? Head down to Melbourne Central and be wowed by this one-of-a-kind Bonds 100th birthday mural. You can also check out Kate’s super talents via her Instagram account @katepullendraws.
9 years ago
