Aaron Leigh Amber Torrance

My practice is rooted in exploring the connection between designed artefacts and the wider contexts and histories in which they are embedded. My process often returns to familiar designed forms, from maps to wildlife spotting books, combining these with theoretical influences and emerging technologies to develop new, critical communication. This reappropriation frequently explores the relationship between construction and breakdown of identity and meaning-making, applying an almost forensic approach to consider how objects and materials speak to wider contexts.

My work is concept-driven, meaning that my outcomes delve into varied fields of design, from web development to typography; however, am particularly interested in experimentation with technical digital processes, especially in terms of how these interact with and challenge more traditional forms of communication.

This conceptual focus is driven by a keen engagement with research. My dissertation expanded on these studio interests to explore how geospatial data and its associated technologies perpetuate or contest socio-political inequalities in the Americas, considering the wider implications of a technology deeply ingrained in our everyday lives.

My design practice focuses on communication, specifically creating visual language for niche topics that is universally understood. For one personal project, I created an alcoholic drink brand named ‘Moonie’ which celebrates the history of Glasgow nightlife in the 1950’s and the similarities of dance club romance today. Influenced by tales of the night my grandparents met, my product packaging is designed to encourage an approach and response by utilising the iconic Scottish phrases, ‘Are ye dancing’ and ‘Are ye asking’.

Other projects I underwent this year include a video personifying existentialism in football. It portrays a footballer struggling to compete with his inner critic and his existential thoughts are expressed through a poetic yet humorous inner monologue by repurposing typical football language.

I enjoy combining surprisingly complimentary or starkly contrasting visuals and concepts to create memorable work. This challenge of typical design aesthetics is explored in my Design History and Theory essay, ‘Kitsch Values and Defence’. I find that kitsch is unjustly scrutinized within the art world and my research highlights that we inherently enjoy its style in many ways. The distaste of kitsch is learned through classist means and my works aims to embrace its qualities and prove aspects of it can enhance your messaging due to its recognisable nature.