Designing with Country: A new paradigm for authentic brand identity in Australia
Johnny Bridges, Indigenous design lead at Balarinji, recently presented a seminar on branding with Country at Mumbrella360.
Here, he explains how interpreting Indigenous cultural narratives to develop branding can be risky – and needs to be executed authentically, by Indigenous creatives, to be valid.
In the evolving landscape of design, there’s a significant shift underway—one that invites brands to look beyond user benefit alone and towards a deeper, more integrated relationship with the environment. This shift isn’t just about sustainability; it’s about reimagining how place, story, and identity intersect.
Aboriginal Australians were the world’s first storytellers, artists, scientists and designers, and have continued their traditions for millennia. Each cultural group’s history and culture is deeply embedded within its narratives, lore and ceremonial practices. Aboriginal culture defines, and is defined by, Country – land, water and sky.
Interpreting Indigenous cultural narratives to develop branding can be risky and needs to be executed authentically, by Indigenous creatives, to be valid. Enter: Designing with Country.
