Simon Bent is painting Melbourne multi-coloured with his vibrant design

Words: James Cartwright
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Date: 27 September 2012; Work
Graphic Design

Graphic Designer Simon Bent (aka Volume 2a) has confirmed two long-held suspicions for me with his striking portfolio of work; firstly, that bright, bold graphic design and thumping music is a match made in heaven, and secondly that Melbourne is a place I’d really like to visit. Working predominantly for an exceptionally trendy client list, Simon’s work is awash with experimental geometric forms, free-flowing line work and bright, engaging colours as well as some pleasingly abstract type and a plethora of visual trickery. Melbourne’s music scene is lucky to have such a talented designer creating the visuals for their night-time activities.

Nine square cards are arranged in a grid on a grey surface. Each card features a geometric, 3D-style pattern in bright red, purple, and turquoise. — Above
Simon Bent: Kubik Identity

A graphic poster for “Kubik Melbourne” featuring abstract 3D geometric shapes in red, white and teal against a purple background. Text at the top reads “Melbourne Music Week” and “Marksthespot”, while the sides list the dates “18th 26th November 2011” and the location “Birrarung Marr, Melbourne”. A line-up of artists is listed at the bottom, including “DJ Krush”, “Alex Kid” and “Cut Copy”. — Above
Simon Bent: Kubik Posters

A red poster for “Kubik Melbourne” featuring a cluster of floating 3D geometric shapes in white, purple and teal. Text at the bottom lists a line-up including “DJ Krush”, “Alex Kid” and “Cut Copy”. — Above
Simon Bent: Kubik Posters

A graphic poster for “Kubik Melbourne” featuring a large, abstract 3D shape in red, purple and white against a mint green background. The shape is composed of interlocking geometric blocks that form a stylised, angular letter. Text at the top reads “Melbourne Music Week” and “Marksthespot”. A line-up at the bottom lists artists including “DJ Krush”, “Alex Kid” and “Cut Copy”. The date “18th–26th November 2011” and the location “Birrarung Marr, Melbourne” are printed along the sides. — Above
Simon Bent: Kubik Posters

A bold typographic poster featuring the word “MELBOURNE” in large red letters. The text is set against a background of undulating blue and white waves. At the bottom, smaller red text reads “RAIN HAIL & SHINE”. — Above
Simon Bent: Melbourne

A graphic poster featuring a yellow and orange grid pattern with small blue and white dots. The word “visual” is written vertically on the right, and “terror” appears in the bottom left. — Above
Simon Bent: Visual Terror

A graphic cover featuring a grid of black semi-circles on a white background. The shapes create a distorted, spherical optical illusion with red and blue chromatic aberration. Text at the top reads “Damn Terran” and text at the bottom reads “Pills”. — Above
Simon Bent: Damn Terran

Further Info

www.volume2a.com

About the Author

James Cartwright

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James started out as an intern in 2011 and came back in summer of 2012 to work online and latterly as Print Editor, before leaving in May 2015.

Simon Bent is painting Melbourne multi-coloured with his vibrant design

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