Quokka Apocalypse for Fringe World 2020
Project Background
Public Service Announcement (PSA) is a performance collective based in Perth, Western Australia, known for productions like The Cockburn Incident, Cookies & Cream, and Grace. For their 2024 Fringe World production, Quokka Apocalypse, I was tasked with designing a promotional logo and banner. The show, created by playwright Zachary Sheridan and producer Emily Stokoe, humorously explores themes of rebellion against human oppression through the eyes of animals, blending social commentary with playful chaos.
Target Audience
The target audience for Quokka Apocalypse consists primarily of young people aged 13–25, with a strong focus on engaging local Perth communities. This audience predominately enjoys quirky, playful, and imaginative experiences, particularly those blending humor with elements of action and fantasy. They are often drawn to unique narratives with relatable characters and prefer entertainment that fosters a sense of local pride and cultural connection. Fans of pop culture, gaming, and indie projects, especially those embracing Australian wildlife, are likely to resonate with this fun and creative production.
Design Brief
Quokka Apocalypse is a West Australian world premiere that follows Quokka, Possum, and Snipe as they plot to overthrow their greedy human overlords using only a bottle of dishwashing detergent and access to Perth's water supply. The play humorously explores themes of power dynamics and the importance of fun in the face of impending doom, presenting a bold and entertaining take that rivals classic tales like Blinky Bill. Written by Zachary Sheridan, a winner of the 2019 Flinders University Young Playwrights' Award, and produced by Emily Stokoe, this production features a cast of Perth's rising stars and promises an engaging experience filled with bubbles and unexpected twists that keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
To spark my creativity, the public service announcement provided a mood board that featured animal masks, a vaporwave aesthetic, and Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009). Drawing inspiration from the science fiction genre, I developed thumbnail sketches influenced by Men in Black (1997), while referencing the space patches I had previously designed for the 'Orbituaries' article for Dircksey Magazine 2019 Issue 2: Vol.5 I Glitch. I explored additional variations centered around key script elements; including the animal team, detergent and the bubbles is creates, a UFO to representing the alien threat and the Perth city skyline - ultimately blending local and extraterrestrial imagery.
Concept & Inspiration
After presenting my initial sketches for the Quokka Apocalypse design brief, the client expressed a keen interest in the space patch concept. We collaborated closely to refine the design elements, deliberating over various aspects such as whether to include the title of the show within the patch, the depiction of the solar system around the perimeter versus the native vegetation that quokka’s typically consume. We also considered the quokka's trademark bandanna and debated its body positioning—whether to portray it facing front-on or at a 3/4 angle. Additionally, we discussed incorporating key elements from the script, such as the golden key and bubbles versus the UFO and asteroids in a smaller micro patch at the bottom. This collaborative process allowed us to hone in on a final design, which served as a foundation for creating variation sketches to explore different possibilities further.
Design Process
In the design process for Quokka Apocalypse, I provided two sets of variations, each containing three examples. The first set showcased a thin quokka, appearing angry and directly confronting the viewer, accompanied by different styles of vaporwave sunglasses. I ensured the elements of the solar system, native vegetation, UFOs, and asteroids remained consistent across these variations. However, after the initial review, we concluded that the quokka's expression was too aggressive and didn't reflect its natural demeanor. This feedback led to the development of a second set, featuring a fatter, kinder quokka design. This approach resonated more positively, and we ultimately decided to proceed with this design to further render for completion.
Reception
Quokka Apocalypse has garnered positive acclaim from various critics, highlighting its unique blend of humor and social commentary. According to Stage Whispers, the play delivers a clever narrative that effectively critiques human greed while showcasing the resilience of its animal protagonists. Isolated Nation praises its vibrant visuals and engaging performances, noting the energetic direction that brings the quirky storyline to life. Gutter Culture emphasizes the play's themes of revolution against oppression, lauding its ability to resonate with contemporary issues while maintaining a lighthearted tone.
Additionally, the final logo and banner images for Quokka Apocalypse were prominently featured in the Fringe World 2020 festival catalog, the The Blue Room Theatre’s Summer Nights program of theatre and performance at Fringe World, and various posters and flyers at The Blue Room venue where the performance was hosted. Overall, Quokka Apocalypse is celebrated for its originality, wit, and the way it captures both local charm and universal truths, making it a standout production.
