Resonare Dearbh-aithne Lèirsinneach by Made Milicevic

Resonare Dearbh-aithne Lèirsinneach by Made Milicevic is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Duais Iarainn A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Grafaigean, Dealbh-mhìneachaidh agus Conaltradh Lèirsinneach Competition Category.

IarannGrafaig· 2026

Resonare Dearbh-aithne Lèirsinneach

by Made Milicevic

Client: Luthier Zeljko Catic

Duais Iarainn A' Design Award Winner in Grafaig Category

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Colors

The Design

About Resonare Dearbh-aithne Lèirsinneach

'S e dearbh-aithne lèirsinneach a th' ann an Resonare airson an luthier Zeljko Catic ann an Dubrovnik. Tha am monogram a' nochdadh comhardadh lèirsinneach ruitheamach eadar Z agus C, far a bheil na stràcan a' measgachadh ri geoimeatraidh nàdarra drochaid an fhìdhle. Le bhith a' fighe stràcan-ceartachaidh Cròthaiseach a-steach do anatomaidh na h-ionnstramaid, bidh an dealbhadh na phàirt do-sgaraichte den chruth aige. Tha an t-ainm-sgrìobhte dlùth seo a' fuireach am broinn cridhe na h-ionnstramaid, ga fhoillseachadh fhèin a-mhàin mar lorg diofraichte tro na tuill-f eireachdail.

The Recognition

About the Duais Iarainn A' Design Award

Tha Resonare Dearbh-aithne Lèirsinneach air Duais Iarainn A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean math a choinnicheas ris na riatanasan proifeiseanta is gnìomhachais a thathar a' sùileachadh bho chruthachaidhean a chaidh an dealbhadh gu math. Tha buannaichean Iarainn a' nochdadh sgil mhòr, speisealachadh àrd, tuigse eòlaiche agus comas cruthachail an luchd-cruthachaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Resonare Dearbh-aithne Lèirsinneach na chruthachadh air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach a tha practaigeach agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Iarainn A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr sa ghnìomhachas còmhla agus tha feartan teignigeach comasach aige ceangailte ri eòlas-dèanamh agus tàlant. Tha meas air Resonare Dearbh-aithne Lèirsinneach airson a dhùrachd agus chaidh a dhealbhadh gus leasachaidhean càileachd beatha a thoirt seachad a chuidicheas le bhith a' dèanamh an t-saoghail na àite nas fheàrr.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Resonare is a sophisticated visual identity designed for luthier Zeljko Catic in Dubrovnik. The monogram features a rhythmic visual rhyme between the characters Z and C, where the typographic strokes are thoughtfully crafted to merge with the natural geometry of the violin bridge. By integrating Croatian diacritics into the instrument's functional anatomy, the design becomes an inseparable part of its form. Conceived as an intimate and enduring signature, the handmade label lives within the heart of the instrument, revealing itself only as a discreet trace through the elegant f-holes. This work celebrates the unbreakable bond between exquisite craftsmanship, noble wood, and the timeless nature of music.
Dimensions & Packaging: Labels are 70 x 25 mm. The material used is bespoke handmade cotton paper with natural deckle edges. Printing methods include traditional letterpress and hot branding. The system is specifically scaled for the intimate interior space of the violin, with typography weight strategically adjusted to compensate for ink gain on handmade paper.
Tags: Visual Identity, Monogram, Luthier, Violin, Internal Label, Typography, Handmade Paper, Dubrovnik, Hot Branding, Craftsmanship, Minimalism.
Production Technology: The identity is realized through a fusion of traditional and modern methods. It utilizes letterpress printing on handmade paper for internal labels and high-precision hot branding for the wooden elements. This reflects the luthier's own process of classical craftsmanship aided by modern precision.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was integrating complex Croatian diacritics into the narrow, elongated format of a traditional violin label. Balancing the visual harmony of the Z and C forms with the restrictive space inside the instrument required a precise geometric synthesis. The goal was to ensure that the monogram remains legible and elegant when viewed through the f-holes, while maintaining a symbolic connection to the structural anatomy of the violin bridge.
Research: Research focused on the visual synergy between the structural geometry of violin bridges and classical typographic initials. The objective was to find a geometric intersection where the phonetic diacritics of the Croatian alphabet could naturally integrate with the instrument's traditional anatomy. The study aimed to create a visual identity that respects the craftsmanship of the luthier while adding a layer of contemporary graphic expression.
Inspiration: Inspired by the fusion of classical luthiery and manuscript initials. The design incorporates a violin motif where strokes mimic the instrument’s fluid lines. The research focused on the bridge, known as the konjic, as a geometric centerpiece to resolve the challenge of Croatian diacritics. The goal was to honor the luthier’s patience by creating a silent signature that resides within the instrument, visible through the shadows of the f-holes.
Project Duration: The project was conducted over a period of three months in 2024. The research and design process took place in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in close collaboration with the luthier's workshop.
Operation Flow: The interaction is a gentle discovery, a glimpse into the violin’s interior where the label dwells as a quiet, permanent presence. It is a subtle dialogue between the luthier’s touch and the musician’s gaze, shared through the instrument's wooden heart.
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Srdjan Babic, Resonare Hero Label, 2026.
Image #2: Photographer Srdjan Babic, Concept Correlation, 2026.
Image #3: Photographer Srdjan Babic, Final Application, 2026.
Image #4: Photographer Srdjan Babic, Craftsmanship Process, 2026.
Image #5: Photographer Srdjan Babic, Letterpress Label and Violin Body, 2026.

Design and Art Direction by Made Milicevic. Handmade paper and print by Valnea Dzamarija. Luthier by Zeljko Catic. Design Consulting by Nora Mojas.