Victorian Era

graphic design, digital zine

concept

The history of the formation and development of the Victorian era, as well as its architecture, interior design, and visual language.

challenge

In terms of research, maintaining accuracy, sufficiency, and comprehensiveness is required. In terms of design, consistency in format and layout is difficult.

publish date

Current date

project type

research and design

client

personal project

Project Overview

As part of a study project exploring students' areas of interest, I explored the Victorian era and investigated its opulent and sophisticated interior design and decorating style. Through research using books and reputable websites, I observed recurring patterns and key characteristics of the style, then synthesised my findings into a digital zine. This project not only provided a visual reference for the style that I can use in the future, but also strengthened my research skills and taught me how to effectively investigate a topic.

Images used for precedent studies and visual references have been sourced from publicly available websites and have been edited or combined for conceptual and educational purposes only. Full image credits are provided below

AHRnet. Biographical Dictionary of British and Irish Architects 1800-1950. n.d. “Shaw, Richard Norman 1831 – 1912″. 30 May, 2026. https://architecture.arthistoryresearch.net/architects/shaw-richard-norman
Carnegie Museum of Art. n.d. “Charles Locke Eastlake.” 30 May, 2026. https://collection.carnegieart.org/?searchbox=%22Charles+Locke+Eastlake%22
David, Sokol. 2021. “More of This Transformed Hudson Valley Victorian.” Architectural Digest. 30 May, 2026. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/more-of-this-transformed-hudson-valley-victorian
Davies, Rachel. 2023. “Victorian Interior Design 101: All About the Prim Style That Screams ‘More Is More’.” Architectural Digest. 30 May, 2026. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/victorian-interior-design-101
Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2026. “Industrial Revolution.” 30 May, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/event/Industrial-Revolution
Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2026. “Norman Shaw.” 30 May, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Norman-Shaw
Encyclopaedia Britannica. n.d. “Charles Locke Eastlake.” 30 May, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Locke-Eastlake
Engineer’s Planet. n.d. “James Watt: Father of the Industrial Revolution – Engineer’s Planet.” 30 May, 2026. https://engineersplanet.com/web-stories/james-watt-father-of-the-industrial-revolution/
French Tables. n.d. “Victorian Interior by Luxury Interior Designer, Mark Alexander.” 30 May, 2026. https://www.frenchtables.com.au/artistry/victorian-interior/
Goldberg, Morgan. 2022. “Shades of Blue and Green Rejuvenate This San Francisco Victorian.” Architectural Digest. 30 May, 2026. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/shades-of-blue-and-green-rejuvenate-this-san-francisco-victorian
Gotlieb, Rachel. 2023. “Ceramics in the Victorian Era – Meanings and Metaphors in Painting and Literature.” Great Britain: Bloomsbury Publishing.
Gura, Judith, John Pile, Drew Plunkett. 2024. “A History of Interior Design.” 5th ed. Great Britain: Lawrence King.
Isaac, Jess. 2023. “Tour a Green (and Pink) New Orleans Victorian Home With Its Own Carriage House.” Architectural Digest. 30 May, 2026. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/tour-a-green-and-pink-new-orleans-victorian-home-with-its-own-carriage-house
London Museum. n.d. “London’s Victorian-era architecture. ” 30 May, 2026. https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/london-stories/london-victorian-architecture/
London Museum. n.d. “The long reign of Queen Victoria. ” 30 May, 2026. https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/london-stories/long-reign-queen-victoria/
Matthews, Mimi. 2018. “A Victorian Lady’s Guide to Fashion and Beauty.” Great Britain: Pen and Sword History.
Media Storehouse. n.d. “Sir Charles Locke Eastlake Print, 1860″. 30 May, 2026. https://www.mediastorehouse.com.au/design-pics/historical/sir-charles-locke-eastlake-1793-1865-18187506.html?srsltid=AfmBOorlSktvUkcgjyUmrjjlcxlP2gGAKm5dYfZZVusnTUxWSG89ByzJ
NGV. n.d. “DELLA ROBBIA CO., Cheshire (manufacturer)” 30 May, 2026. https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/16796/
NGV. n.d. “W. H. ROCKE & CO., Melbourne (manufacturer), John MATHER (decorator).” 30 May, 2026. https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/21213/
Shankar, Avantika. 2023. “Shalini Misra gives this Victorian-era home in London a contemporary makeover.” Architectural Digest. 30 May, 2026. https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/shalini-misra-gives-this-victorian-era-home-in-london-a-contemporary-makeover/
Sherlock Holmes Portland. 2020. “Victorian England 101, Lesson 2: The Gentry and Lesser Folk.” 30 May, 2026. https://sherlockholmesportland.com/2020/05/06/victorian-england-101-lesson-2-the-gentry-and-lesser-folk/
Slone, Isabel. 2024. “This 120-Year-Old Victorian Home in Toronto Gets a Warm, Modern Update.” Architectural Digest. 30 May, 2026. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/this-120-year-old-victorian-home-in-toronto-gets-a-warm-modern-update
V&A. 2024. “Victorian Christmas traditions.” 30 May, 2026. https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/victorian-christmas-traditions
V&A. 2026. “Corsets, crinolines and bustles: fashionable Victorian underwear.” 30 May, 2026. https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/corsets-crinolines-and-bustles-fashionable-victorian-underwear
Veldman, Meredith. 2026. “Victoria.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. 30 May, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Victoria-queen-of-United-Kingdom
Wikipedia n.d. “Electric generator.” 30 May, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_generator
Wikipedia n.d. “Spinning Jenny.” 30 May, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_jenny
Wikipedia. n.d. “Norman Shaw Buildings.” 30 May, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Shaw_Buildings

Acknowledgement

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