The theme for TAB 2017 — “bioTallinn” — challenged typical assumptions of what constitutes the boundary between natural and artificial realms. In the contemporary world it is impossible to trace a clear distinction between nature and artifice, landscape and city, and ultimately between the biosphere and the urbansphere. Combined bio- and infotechnology was also used in the design process for creating the visual identity.
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Slime mold lived in a makeshift lab in the office’s spare bathroom and helped us with important design decisions eg picking the typeface.
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The visual identity uses computer-generated behavioural simulations of mycelium, crystal, bioplastic and silk worms.
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Symbol colours for organic and artificial life were used throughout the communication together with images of computer-generated organic models.
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The main curated exhibition, titled Anthropocene Island, conveys the challenges and necessities of designing within the complex milieu of contemporary cities. The peninsula of Paljassaare in Tallinn provides a case study at multiple scales — Baltic, city, peninsula, material and bacterial.
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The website continues with the idea of multiple scales, letting users magnify elements of the design with the cursor.
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The catalogue plays with the notion of natural and artificial as well. Liquid inside the plastic cover invites to touch and creates ever-evolving organic forms. A special colour-separation process transfers photos organically for 2-colour printing.
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