Conditioned Air
Typography, Graphic & Editorial Design
Visual concept and CI design for the short film “Conditioned Air”.
The short film Conditioned Air is a 17-minute film by Laura Mahlberg, produced by Thirdpicture, and was shot in 2024. Bartholomaedesign handled the visual identity, including the CI design, title, credits, typography, logo, poster and other graphic elements.
Logline:
Isolated in an impersonal apartment, Fabian Hundmann tries to fill the emotional void left in him by a break-up with mountains of consumer goods. But when the air conditioning breaks down and the resolute concierge Emma is allowed into his realm, an unexpected battle against chaos, self-created boundaries and a past that simply won‘t let him go is unleashed.
Bartholomaedesign was looking for a design that would emphasize the central aspects of the film. The first task was to work out these main aspects.
In Laura Mahlberg‘s film, we experience tipping moments that challenge the life of the main character. Similar to a domino effect, these moments trigger actions and new scope. Be it the implied end of his relationship, the sudden malfunction of the air conditioning or the breakage of a beloved painting - these are unexpected events that demand adaptation. The protagonist meets these challenges with repression. This manifests itself on an inner level and finds figurative expression in the indiscriminate ordering of consumer goods, and later in the stowing away of these goods. Due to an upcoming inspection of his apartment, he is forced to push unpacked parcels, among other things, into a chamber in order to convey the impression of an orderly life.
Contrasts emerge: An outwardly bright, conformist and optimized world suggests order, while hidden away - in the dark - repression and disorder reign.
Bartholomaedesign developed a typography for the title design that depicts the aspect of tipping points and repression. The first letter “I” in Conditioned was tilted by 12.5 degrees. This tilting creates a break in the order of the typeface. A further adjustment was made to the following “T”: Only half of it appears, while the other half remains hidden. This typography was not only used in the title design, but also on business cards, headlines in print and in the credits of the film.
The pair of letters viewed in isolation results in a concise character. In a contrasting pair, the same character appears without a moment of tilt. From this, Bartholomaedesign generated a striking pattern.
The pattern makes direct reference to the architecture of the film set: the façade of the residential complex, which stands for perfect order. Analogous to the typography, the pattern has a deliberate interruption at a certain point - a design break that reflects the central theme of the film.
In the film, we experience light and dark lighting moods that are deliberately projected next to each other to reinforce the polarity in the film. Bartholomaedesign took up this idea and opted for a predominantly black and white design. The only complementary color is beige, as the film leaves an overall beige impression.
In the light-flooded scenes of the apartment, beige walls and cream-colored furniture create a monochrome world in beige. Even the main character is dressed in beige, making him appear contourless and adapted to his surroundings.
Based on these design parameters, Bartholomaedesign developed the appearance, look and promotion of the film. The graphic elements were used in the title design, the logo and the font design. Posters, banners, brochures, press kits, merchandise articles, business cards and a book were also designed.
The digital presence was also implemented in various formats and the social media channels were used accordingly.
Laura Mahlberg's film tells of tipping points in the life of a young man. When his air conditioning breaks down on a hot summer's day, he is once again challenged to get his life under control.
The title design picks up on the theme of tipping points. Displacement, another central aspect of the film, also finds its graphic expression. A striking symbol and pattern was developed through playful intervention on the letters I and T.
A modern residential complex with smart apartments is the setting for the film and the template for the developed pattern. The main character's life, which has gone off the rails, contrasts with a conformist and orderly world.
The contrasts in the film are emphasized by light and dark lighting moods. Bartholomaedesign picks up on this with its black and white design. The only added color is beige, as the color impression of the film is characterized by a monochrome world in beige.
A book on the film in 35 x 24 cm format offers all the important information on 147 pages. Large-scale scene images convey the atmosphere and visual language of the film. The chapter headings appear in the characteristic title typography.
For the festival presence of Conditioned Air, personalized business cards were created for contact with the main departments. A variant with a QR code was also designed that leads directly to the film.
The graphic elements were used individually on jute bags and cards as well as in combination on a folding flyer for festivals.
The digital presence was reflected in various formats, and the social media channels were also used appropriately.
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