mare/B-Shapes
Through the Prism of Borders
B‑Shapes explores borders not as lines of separation, but as dynamic thresholds that open up relationships, diverse perspectives, and new ways of perceiving European societies. The project transforms the concept of border into a visual and narrative experience: every graphic element, from typography to the open-line logo, is designed to tell stories of migration, memory, and community, inviting audiences to explore, question, and connect.
The visual identity of B‑Shapes is based on a central principle: “a prism as a border, a border as a threshold”. A border is not just a line that separates, but a dynamic space that opens new points of view and unexpected relationships.
Thresholds – the thresholds – are at the core of this visual language:
Thresholds as relationships – points of encounter between people, cultures, and ideas.
Thresholds as dynamic spaces – ever-changing places open to transformation.
Thresholds as walks – paths to be crossed, explored, and experienced.
Thresholds as questioning – spaces that invite reflection and discovery.
Thresholds as non-static demarcations – borders that do not rigidly divide but encourage dialogue.
Thresholds as diverse perspectives – every angle and point of view tells a unique story.
Thresholds as openness – places that welcome, connect, and expand perception.
The B‑Shapes logo also reflects this philosophy: designed as an open-line typographic logo, it represents a fluid and relational border. Each letter and stroke symbolize continuity and openness, consistent with the conceptual approach of the visual identity.
The B‑Shapes website (b-shapes.lungomare.org) translates the conceptual identity into a digital experience. The design is based on:
Clear modular structure – each section functions as a visual threshold, allowing visitors to explore topics and content freely.
Dynamic, responsive layout – graphic elements adapt to the screen and user journey, reflecting borders as fluid spaces.
Open, readable typography – the typeface follows the logic of the logo, emphasizing continuity and openness.
Use of whitespace and immersive sections – space is part of the narrative, inviting reading, reflection, and interaction.
Intuitive and interactive navigation – visitors traverse the site like a walk through thresholds, progressively discovering content, images, and projects.
The result is a website coherent with the threshold concept, where design, typography, color, and interactivity interact with content, offering an immersive experience that transforms the perception of borders and the stories they tell.
Year
2021–2026
A project by
Katia Anguelova, Angelika Burtscher, Marion Oberhofer
A project by
Borders Shaping Perceptions of European Societies (B-SHAPES), progetto Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action
A project by
Lungomare (Chiara Cesaretti, Cecilia Tommasi)
Web-Design
Lungomare (Chiara Cesaretti, Cecilia Tommasi)
