International Year of Glass 2026
For my Public Event Design class in 2026, we were tasked with creating an event design proposal for a site-based response to an upcoming Melbourne event. The (hypothetical) International Year of Glass 2026 will be the hottest event on the 2026 Melbourne calendar. An opportunity to bring together glassmaking experts and novices alike, this event celebrates the history and materiality of glass as an artform.
In this project, I not only ideated the entire design concept, but positioned it to my tutors as a complete design proposal. In this project I took account of the site-specific features of Federation Square and utilised them to enhance my concept, demonstrating my cohesive marrying of design concept and practical considerations.
Design Concept
This design concept explores a fresh idea for the International Year of Glass 2026 – “a journey through the material metamorphosis of glass.”
Building off the classic story of the caterpillar going through a gruelling journey to turn into the beautiful butterfly – this concept utilises butterflies and chrysalises as a visual metaphor and helpful narrative device throughout the event as an accessible and digestible way for audiences to understand and appreciate the metamorphosis of sand into glass.
Site Plan
Colour Elevation (northeast, off of Swanston St)
Audience Experience & Illustrated Renders
Audiences are encouraged to enter from the west side of Federation Square. Here, they would enter through a large, magical chrysalis tunnel made of glass until they reach the mystical expanse of Federation Square on the other side.
Audiences can stop by any of 5 dispersed mini workshops on their way past in which local glassmakers demonstrate live the different methods of hot glasswork.
Working with the reflection and refraction of sunlight in the day and LED fixtures at night, the beauty and life shining through these installations will be ever-present for patrons at any time of day.
Here in the Federation Square Atrium, stalls where local glassmakers can sell their work, and glasswork suppliers can promote their tools and equipment are accompanied by interactive glass harp and harmonica installations. This area boasts a sense of the local Melbourne glassblowing community –who they are, what they do, and most importantly for the average Melbourne citizen, how you can get involved!
Risk Assessment & Management
As part of the practical, rational part of this assessment, I was obliged to take into account some of the risk factors associated with my event design. For a festival of glass, many of my precautions centred around making sure there was little to no risk of broken glass and subsequent injury. Below, you can see some of my practical plans as to how to safely rig the chrysalis lights onto the Federation Square catenary lines, as well as how to affix the large overhead structures above the glassblowing workshops.
This project was a great opportunity for me to show off my 3D thinking skills and proficiency in full-environment responses. Working with my experience in theatrical lighting design as well as illustration, this project demonstrates my proficiency in thinking about graphic design in a wider scope, contextualising projects outside of the single deliverable.