Traditional Owners inspire new student-designed RMIT branding

Traditional Owners inspire new student-designed RMIT branding

An RMIT design student, inspired by the traditional owners of the land on which the university stands, has won a competition to have her Indigenous designs featured in RMIT’s official branding.

Taylah Cole Taylah Cole had her Indigenous designs incorporated into RMIT's official visual branding.

Taylah Cole, studying her final year of the Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design), was announced as the winner by Ngarara Willim, RMIT’s community supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples throughout their studies. There are now plans in place to have her designs incorporated into the University’s brand through official RMIT merchandise, signage and document templates.

Ngarara Willim Senior Advisor, Indigenous Strategy and Planning Catherine Bevan-Jones said the competition was a great opportunity to have students involved in brand design. 


“The judges really liked the designs, but Taylah put a narrative around why she had developed that design and they liked the story that she told,” she said. 

“The idea behind having the Indigenous brand is that anyone can use it for anything that they are working on. They don’t necessarily have to use it for Indigenous specific activities or initiatives.”

Cole said she created a series of works that reflected Victorian Indigenous culture, but also represented RMIT.

“I was influenced by Mandy Nicholson, a Wurundjeri woman, and the work she had created for the Ngarara Willim logo,” she said. 

“She used the Manna gum leaf and I thought it was important to pay homage to her work, as RMIT sits on Wurundjeri country. I used three different Manna gum leaves, each representing a campus. 

“I also drew emu feathers, which are culturally significant and are used for ceremonial purposes in garments such as emu feather skirts worn by women. I personally have always been drawn to them for their beauty and for their healing effect.”

Taylah Cole Cole worked with a professional designer to integrate her artwork with RMIT's existing brand materials.

Cole said sharing her art and culture was particularly important to her. 

“Indigenous people in the past haven’t been able to or allowed to practise culture and art. I am so lucky and honoured to remember them during this process. I hope it prompts others to take up opportunities and give it a go,” she said.

“It has reminded me that my best work is when I share my culture through my artwork. It’s my best work and I think people can see the connection and power of it when they look at it.”

Program Manager for Textile Design Claire Beale said she was delighted to see Taylah recognised for her work. 


“It’s all the more rewarding for Taylah to receive this award as one of our most talented Indigenous students,” she said. 

"Taylah demonstrates the creativity, talent and all-important resilience and drive required for success as an emerging designer – combined with a strong connection with culture that deeply informs her approach to practice. 

“We are very proud to see her recognised for her skills and talent, and look forward to celebrating the launch of her design. This is another important step in our reconciliation journey towards belonging and creating a shared future for design.”

Beale said the Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design) could be the poster child for RMIT’s founding motto: ‘A skilled hand, a cultivated mind’.

“As an innovative design program, it ensures our graduates meet the opportunities and challenges of a complex, urban-oriented future, through its unique mix of design expertise, conceptual thinking, critical analysis, and practical, creative and technical skills in textile design.”

Cole emphasised that acknowledgement was very important to her and her culture. 

“I acknowledge the land that RMIT is on belongs to the Wurundjeri people,” she said. 

“It brings me confidence that my point of view is important and it’s okay to come from a different background and that it is celebrated by myself and others,” she said.

“I have always wanted to start a social enterprise through the use of textiles to promote and support Indigenous communities. This is my dream, as my community and culture have given so much to me and have allowed me to become the woman I am. I want to give back to other Indigenous people.”

Story: Rowan Roebig

RMIT University acknowledges the Kulin Nations as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the University stands.The University respectfully recognises Elders both past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of lands across Australia where it conducts its business, their Elders, Ancestors, cultures and heritage.

National Reconciliation Week runs 27 May to 3 June. 

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.