University of the West of Scotland

  • Paul Solis

.. a unique approach_

For this University of the West of Scotland (UWS) project, TALISMAN combined digital printing with generative art to produce a series of one-of-a-kind fractal themed brochures ~ where no two covers are the same.
The University’s research and development department tasked us with creating a standout profile – geared towards a national and international business audience.
Inspired by the father of fractals – Lewis Fry Richardson, based at Paisley Tech (now UWS) from 1929–1940) ~ we used fractals as a primary graphical thread and worked closely with generative artist Leander Herzog, where he built a custom ‘fractal engine’ made entirely from code.
View the project page: talisman.design/projects/university-of-the-west-of-scotland/
Based on parameters that we could directly control ~ colours / points / frequency (1 to 1,000,000) ~ the ‘fractal engine’ allowed for the generation of a series of randomised fractal compositions. Importantly, each fractal–generated image was unique.
The fractal engine allowed us to setup bespoke themes for each particular section within the brochure. Shown below are fractals generated for the SOCIETY section:
Incorporated throughout the publication, these theme–specific fractals compliment and form structures around copy and photography.
And, being digitally printed, the brochures are also continually updated for specific and ongoing University events and seminars.
The HEALTH section has multiple fractal points and incorporates a colour combination that echos the human body’s cell structures.
The SUSTAINABILITY section is formed of larger fractal structures.
Each section has a distinct look and feel. From simple triangles, complex systems are formed ~ fractals are the graphical thread that binds it all together.