Leaves of Change: RMIT's new Indigenous branding design

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 competitionLeaves 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.”

•

Story: Hilary jones

15 February 2021

Share

Return to RMIT News
15 February 2021

Share

  • Indigenous
  • Student experience
  • Arts and culture
  • Design
Engage

Related News

beginning-teach-conference26-image1-1220x732px.jpg

Beginning but not alone. RMIT's graduating cohort of teachers step into the profession with the sector behind them

Successful alumni, school leaders and sector partners joined RMIT's graduating teachers at the Beginning Teacher Conference, where they sharpened their interview skills and celebrated reaching the finish line of their degrees.

gooddesignawards26-image4-1220x732px.jpg

RMIT recognised at 2026 Good Design Awards

Eight projects featuring RMIT design research, outcomes and collaborations have been honoured at the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards.

south-pacific-image1-1220x732px.jpg

RMIT Pacific Initiative joins forces with Minderoo Foundation to accelerate community conservation and biodiversity protection

The RMIT Pacific Initiative will be expanded across Melanesia through a new $1.6 million partnership with Minderoo Foundation.

ngarara-willim-1.jpg

Ngarara Willim Centre celebrates 30 years

RMIT’s Ngarara Willim Centre has marked 30 years of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across the University.

Show more
aboriginal flag float-starttorres strait flag float-start

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 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information