Sustainable Museum Merchandising: Arbos for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
In April, Bologna came alive with vibrant colors, illustrated stories, and boundless creativity thanks to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair — an international event that attracts publishing professionals, artists, families, and children from all over the world every year.
In this vibrant setting full of energy and imagination, Arbos had the opportunity to contribute with an exclusive line of sustainable museum merchandising, specially designed for the Fair’s bookshop. The collection features 5 eco-friendly stationery products, created with a focus on functionality, color, and a design that appeals to a younger audience.
The Fair had a clear goal: to offer beautiful, accessible items that convey a message of environmental awareness—without compromising on quality. And, as always, we embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and creativity.
A Collection That talk about Color, Play, and Sustainability
Color and freshness took center stage in our proposal. Each item was designed to catch the eye and spark the interest of an audience that is attentive, curious, and sensitive to sustainability issues.
The illustrations by artist Bruno De Almeida gave the collection a strong personality: cheerful, dynamic, and perfectly in tune with the spirit of the event.
We carefully selected the materials, choosing recycled paper and low-impact production processes.
All the products were crafted in our workshop with artisanal passion and meticulous attention to detail.
The 5 Products Created
The collection includes:
- Notebook with wrap-around cover – practical and functional, perfect to take anywhere.
- Notebook with exposed spine stitching – minimal and refined, featuring a binding that highlights the beauty of craftsmanship.
- 15×21 cm notebook with Singer stitching – compact and colorful, designed for those who love jotting down ideas and sketches on the go.
- 19×25 cm notebook with Singer stitching – more spacious, ideal for creative writing or keeping a personal journal.
- 13×20 cm spiral sketchpad – dynamic and versatile, with an easy-open design and durable cover.
All the products were graphically customized to highlight the identity of the Fair, transforming simple stationery items into smart, sustainable souvenirs.
An example of sustainable museum merchandising that works.
This project represents a virtuous model of sustainable museum merchandising for Arbos: a tailor-made proposal, highly customized and visually consistent.
But above all, it’s a project that shows how culture, beauty, and environmental responsibility can be communicated even through everyday objects.
BolognaFiere’s decision to prioritize quality and sustainability made it possible to achieve a tangible result that was well received by the public: original products, carefully designed and affordably priced, capable of leaving a meaningful and lasting memory of the Fair experience.
A tailored design approach
Behind each item lies a thoughtful journey of listening, collaboration, and intentional design.
We worked closely and consistently with BolognaFiere to fully understand the diverse and multifaceted needs of their audience: children, teens, teachers, parents — as well as illustrators, publishers, and creative professionals from around the world.
It wasn’t just about creating beautiful and functional objects, but about crafting a meaningful and engaging experience that truly captured and reflected the spirit, energy, and values of the event.
Arbos: Stories Taking Shape
For us at Arbos, working on projects like this means giving shape to the values we deeply believe in: creativity, sustainability, attention to detail, and the joy of offering beautiful objects that speak to people’s hearts.
If you’re looking for cultural merchandising that blends design, ethics, and color, we’re here to help you create something truly unique.
As the pages of our notebooks fill with notes, sketches, stories, and dreams, we continue to work with passion—ready to turn every new challenge into an opportunity to leave a mark.
A mark that is colorful, sustainable, and, as always, authentically Arbos.
