Leaves of Change: RMIT's new Indigenous branding design

Designer Lou Bloomer has won a competition to have her artwork featured as RMIT's Indigenous branding design.

Bloomer was inspired by sunlight flickering on gum trees in her backyard, and said her artwork depicts a fresh start in 2021.

“After COVID-19 and 2020 changed all our lives, I really wanted to depict 2021 with a freshness and boldness in the colours of the work,” Bloomer said.

“From my back verandah I can see a gum tree with really bright red leaves amongst all of the green leaves, and they were flickering against the sunlight.

“The leaves in the image are swirling and that’s like, your ideas swirl into the new year, and the brightness and cleanness is what I'm hoping our lives will be like this year.”

Leaves of Change by Lou Bloomer, winner of the Indigenous branding design competition.

Bloomer brought her fashion design knowledge and love of textile and print design into the artwork through painting the image and manipulating it in Photoshop.

“A lot of fashion is very digital based, with a lot of the process on the computer, whether you’re designing the actual garment or the print.

“I love designing prints and combining my love of designing and nature.

“I’m inspired by Bronwyn Bancroft, an indigenous designer from around the area where I'm from in northern New South Wales.”

In 2021 Bloomer is completing her four year RMIT fashion pathway with the Bachelor of Fashion (Design).

“When I looked at going back to uni and applied to RMIT, Ngarara Willim reached out to me with the pathway to get to the Bachelor level I wanted,” Bloomer said.

“That was fantastic and they were able to get me fully signed up within a week, and then the week after I started the course."

Bloomer began at RMIT with a Certificate IV in Textile Design and Development, followed by an Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology, before commencing the Bachelor of Fashion (Design).

She said the Ngarara Willim Centre supported her with study, living and cultural needs over her time at the University.

“The whole way through, Ngarara Willim have been available to help me with anything I've needed and made me feel a part of the community," Bloomer said.

“With the aid of Ngarara Willim I've looked at incorporating my Indigenous background into my work a lot more.

“It’s been great to have them sharing information about other students and alumni, and about other Aboriginal peoples in the community doing amazing things.

“That inspires me to also do amazing things.”

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Story: Hilary jones

Art, Design and Culture

15 February 2021

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Art, Design and Culture

15 February 2021

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