ACMI partnered with the Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design) program to support the next generation of Australian design talent, providing the students with valuable experience in the merchandising process from concept to execution.
Recognising ACMI’s reputation as a leading global museum of film, television and video games, students were tasked with responding to the theme “moving image” in their designs.
The result is a sophisticated and graphic collection of products that reflects the diversity of meaning different people draw from moving images in all forms.
It’s also the first line of dedicated ACMI-branded merchandise to be sold from the ACMI Shop.
The four students, and the titles of their collections, are: Jane Merrylees, Kool Kinesics; Jarnah Montersino, Play Pause; Aliya Murray, Electrical Current; and Bridget O’Rourke, Nuance.
Products in the range include journals, Frisbees, water bottles, kites, tote bags, cosmetic purses and lens cloths, with a variety of designs available across the different product types.
Student Jane Merrylees, who explored ACMI’s Federation Square museum and cinema space for inspiration, said it was “super exciting” to see her designs associated with such a renowned institution.
“A lot of hard work goes into university assignments, so it’s really satisfying to see my products go into production for a wider audience,” she said.
“Projects like this provide a solid platform upon which students can start to formulate an understanding of the industry that we may one day be a part of.”
All four of the students will receive an ACMI membership and a license fee for their designs, with the possibility of an ongoing relationship and future collaborations to come.
Monique De Jong, ACMI Head of Design, paid tribute to the diversity and quality of the students’ work.
“RMIT textile students have a great reputation for excellent work and it was wonderful to be presented with such a strong, broad range of concepts and applications,” she said.
“The entire collaboration has been incredibly positive and hopefully encouraging for these emerging designers, who will soon embrace the commercial world.”
Claire Beale, Program Manager of the Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design), said the collaboration helped RMIT students gain live, direct experience within their future profession before graduation.
“A strong focus on industry relevance and employability has ensured that RMIT Textile Design graduates continue to feel ‘work ready’.
“It was important to find a balance between giving the students creative license to develop their ideas, while ensuring the commercial consideration of the client’s brief were achieved.
“As can be seen by the outcomes, I think the students managed this extremely well.”
The line is exclusively available in-store at the ACMI Shop and online from 10 March.
Story: Brad Dixon
