August 2024
Yarra Riverkeeper Association
Role
The phrase “ever-flowing” reflects the river’s original Indigenous name, Birrarung, which means “river of mists” or “ever-flowing”. As the “ever-growing” term highlights the human responsibility to grow with the river. This speaks to the idea of co-becoming – the mutual, evolving relationship between people and nature. As the river sustains us, we, in turn, must ensure its health and vitality. The notion of co-creating reflects how our actions and choices shape the river’s future and the spaces we share.
By adopting sustainable practices, reducing pollution, and respecting the cultural significance of the Birrarung, we help foster a thriving environment. This growth is not just physical but also emotional, cultural, and environmental, symbolizing a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with the natural world.
Campaign and visual identity design in collaboration with Korawan and JC, facilitated through RMIT.
The educational strategy of Ever-flowing, Ever-growing centres on a contemporary, conceptual map that brings together Indigenous knowledge, the river’s history, and critical environmental data. The map acts as a storytelling tool, blending past, present, and future to reframe the Birrarung not just as a physical space, but as a living entity shaped by both nature and human activity.
By visualising these layered narratives, the project aims to deepen public understanding of the relationship between people and place, foster environmental responsibility, and encourage long-term stewardship of the river.
The Fake Bin
The Fake Bin visualises the scale of plastic pollution in the Birrarung using real waste such as bottles and polystyrene. By confronting audiences with familiar materials, it makes the issue tangible and encourages people to recognise their own role in the river’s pollution.
The Vision Frame invites audiences to imagine the future of the river. This interactive element encourages reflection, dialogue, and personal responsibility, reinforcing how small individual actions can contribute to meaningful environmental change.
The Vision Frame
The CTA Circles provide clear, simple actions the community can take to protect the river. Through minimal, accessible design, they educate, empower, and encourage immediate participation in improving river health.
The CTA Circles
- Developed a modular installation concept exploring material options (recycled plastic, aluminium, inflatable) to balance sustainability, cost, mobility, and feasibility for a temporary public campaign.
Established a circle-based visual system representing continuity, interconnectedness, and the sensory relationship between people and the Birrarung.
Designed a large-scale interactive frame (2m × 2.5m) to physically immerse audiences and encourage engagement with the river.
Created a distinct colour palette of oranges and blues to communicate energy, care, and trust, visually expressing the transition between human action and natural systems.