Pentagram and Politics: Border City
Notorious for their cutting edge graphic design and powerhouse of all-star artist partners, Pentagram is the quintessential hub of typographic design. With various projects ranging from the Public Theater to Planned Parenthood, the firm has made a strong impact on the way the world views and processes art, products, and cultural/political organizations and movements.
Image via Pentagram.
In late 2016, partner, Natasha Jen, collaborated with FR-EE / Fernando Romero Enterprise, BuroHappold and SuperUber to design Border City for the Mexico installation at the London Design Biennale, presented at Somerset House. In contrast to the troublesome arguments for wall building, Border City proposes a concept for a truly binational city - one well suited for a "rapidly developing world as populations grow, migration increases, and economies continue to globalize."
Border City's design is based on a repeating hexagonal pattern, creating the ability to combine to shapes and unique fonts. The hexagon also makes up the city plan for Border City, expanding "radially to optimize distances and maximize efficiencies for urban planning." The exhibit was filled with moving infographics and data on the city, fitting the Bienalle's theme of "Utopia by Design."
The hexagonal design continues throughout the fonts and graphics in a cyclorama fashion, filling the room and the viewers in a panoramic design experience. The 360 degree experience mimics the expansive and immersive plan for the city. In our currently divisive political sphere, this concept champions inclusivity and acceptance through design.
