For the visual identity of this 13th Biennale, Ésad Saint-Étienne students were given it as a subject at workshop organised in 2024. It was the work of Pierre Puig, a graphic design student, that won this internal competition, not only for its graphic qualities, but because it shows strong points of convergence with the rest of the project, and in particular the scenography, in its use of colours and geometric shapes.
"I was looking for a dynamic rhythm, taut but fragmented, and I hit upon the idea of combining simple geometric shapes – triangles, squares and circles – with primary and secondary colours. Inspired by the Biennale theme, I considered these shapes and colours as my basic resources. Then, using stripes and clear spaces, I tried to create a visual that was at once simple and effective, arresting and intriguing." — Pierre Puig
From sketch to typeface
It is to studio vu-huu
that we owe the Biennale’s new graphic identity, which is inspired by the process of design.
"Everything starts with a thought. This is visualised most simply by a sketch, a rough outline, and becomes reality later. Noting it with a pencil or pen on a piece of paper is the most direct way to express an idea. The line put down in this way allows you to write, draw, tie together and connect. Design is constantly changing, developing, adapting and innovating. It is in perpetual motion, alive and dynamic. We therefore created a typeface which, in its display version, expresses the aesthetics of the line, the spontaneity and dynamics of the hand movement, and diversity. Each letter has several variations, suggesting handwriting, so that it can express different personal writing styles." — Toan Vu-Huu
Toan Vu-Huu
A graphic designer and art director born in Germany, Toan Vu-Huu studied applied arts before moving to Paris, where he joined Ruedi Baur et Associés’ Atelier Intégral. In 2008, with André Baldinger, he co-founded the atelier baldinger·vu-huu, which created the town of Chaumont’s new visual identity and typeface in 2023. Encompassing visual identity, publishing, signage, museography, posters and typeface design, his work regularly wins awards and is exhibited and published internationally. Since 2024, he has been developing his projects under the name studio vu-huu.