Blog
The team of issue eight!
As we are now well under way working on the next issue of Ligature Journal, we thought we’d take a moment to introduce our newest team to you. This team is made up of students from UTS and UNSW (a first for us). So, let’s get to know them! From left to right we have: Queenie Chan, Diana Vo, Rachel Holt, Jisu Im and Lydia Morgan.
Annette Harcus’ advice for young designers
In a recent sit-down with Annette Harcus, we took the chance to ask for her advice for young designers, this is what she told us…
Harcus Design, a thank-you

Behind every good design studio is a team of people who contribute their time, skills and ideas to craft the perfect execution for their clients projects. This is no different for Harcus Design.
An issue 7 round-up
We gave you a little taste of what it’s like behind the scenes in issue six’s bts video but for issue seven we decided to show you a little bit more of our process. We’ve even made a little video for your to watch!
Brands — The New Pantheon
Jacqueline Hill MDes | The Glue Sessions | Designasaw
This paper explores the elevation of ‘brands’ to a near religious status within present day society. It aims to provide some considerations into the consumer’s identification with the dominant brands by focusing on influential communication and semiotic vehicles such as ancient symbol paradigms and neo archetypes.
Life After LJ with Matilda Wilson
Matilda Wilson | www.matildawilsoncreative.com | @matildawilsoncreative
It’s always interesting to see where interns and junior designers end up after their first few experiences working inside a ‘real’ design studio/agency. In this series we’ll be catching up with designers and interns who have worked on various issues of Ligature Journal.
Let’s see what they’ve been up to!
The Contemporary Evolution of the Visual Identity Mark
Jacqueline Hill MDes | The Glue Sessions | Designasaw

A recent work of mine addressed the elevation of major global ‘brands’ such as Apple, Shell, and MacDonald’s to a near religious status within present day society.
Today’s brands have a face and a soul made of an amalgam of calculated, curated, and philosophical attributes. ‘The face’ of the brand, is in large part the visual communication strategies and graphic and semiotic devices with the brand’s Visual Identity Mark (VIM) at its centre. ‘The soul’ of the brand is based on the intangible aspects, which includes brand value, essence, and its neo-archetypal persona and is delivered to the target audience via the brand’s ‘face’. Ultimately, it is all about creating an interaction or connection with the viewer/user.
Metaphysical Qualities of a Visual Identity Marks
Jacqueline Hill MDes | The Glue Sessions | Designasaw

Utilised by both ancient and contemporary power brokers, graphic symbols have played a pivotal role in the practice of communication and the manipulation of
human groups for millennia. What key ingredient makes a graphic symbol have a certain resonance with its intended audience, to engender a sense of trust, and ultimately to become a part of an individual’s identity or personal philosophy?
Life After Ligature Journal with Kate Moran
It’s always interesting to see where interns and junior designers end up after their first few experiences working inside a ‘real’ design studio/agency. In this series we’ll be catching up with designers and interns who have worked on various issues of Ligature Journal.
Let’s see what they’ve been up to!
Why Ligature Journal was created
There are three elements to the origin of the Journal, though I would have to say that the real beginning of the Ligature Journal story is entirely personal. I have had a desire to create and produce a magazine for many years. Maybe it was just vanity, to get something over which I had a lot of control – something not subject to the needs of an external client – into the world.