Interpretive Design - 3D Design
Created for the 2024 celebration of NSW Aboriginal Languages Week, this signage project at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney honoured the Gadigal language and its living relationship with place.
Interpretive panels were placed throughout the Gardens, highlighting First Nations names for native plants and inviting visitors to listen, learn and speak language on Country. The initiative is part of a broader commitment to revitalising and embedding Aboriginal languages within public landscapes.
The signs featured colour palettes drawn directly from the plants themselves: Lilly Pilly Pink, Eucalyptus Green, Australian Sun Yellow, Warrane Blue and Warada Red, grounding the design in the living environment. Panels were printed on Ace Outdoor, a fully fibre-based, recyclable alternative to PVC, chosen for its low environmental impact and outdoor durability. This allowed for easy recycling once the campaign was over.
The signage also incorporated the Cultural visual language artwork by Darren Charlwood, a Wiradjuri man from the Yibaay Wagaan group. Adapted from his painting Connections, the design forms part of the Botanical Gardens’ Reconciliation Action Plan and tells the story of the Gardens’ enduring influence and connection with Community. This visual language added a powerful cultural layer to the signage, deepening its resonance, presence and sense of place.
