‘On the Necessity of Gardening’ is a book with a complex design that sparked a long discussion among the student jury.
It deals with many elements from different natures/types of natural elements that clash together into a seemingly chaotic piece. The loud, expressive character of each page makes the viewer go through it over and over again to try and puzzle the patterns together.
There is an overall grid system throughout the whole book that tames the content;
However, the main feeling you get from the layout is one built similarly to a scrapbook in your grandma’s cabinet.
The full-text pages and typesetting could be initially perceived as to have been designed without awareness, but they are beyond aware of themselves. The change in type, size, and the lack of space between sections creates so much brightness, playfulness, and excitement that elevates the content as well.
Some choices, like the ornamented letters at the beginning of a chapter, are still unclear to some of the jury members, but their consistent use shows intentionality. We also found it very bold to break so many established perceptions of “good” book design. The lack of full control, mostly in the way it is perceived by the viewer, links back to the organic, unstructured, and untamed feeling of a garden. Images, type, and ornaments come together into this dreamy, romantic, and definitively compelling piece.
‘On the Necessity of Gardening’ is a book with a complex design that sparked a long discussion among the student jury.
It deals with many elements from different natures/types of natural elements that clash together into a seemingly chaotic piece. The loud, expressive character of each page makes the viewer go through it over and over again to try and puzzle the patterns together.
There is an overall grid system throughout the whole book that tames the content;
However, the main feeling you get from the layout is one built similarly to a scrapbook in your grandma’s cabinet.
The full-text pages and typesetting could be initially perceived as to have been designed without awareness, but they are beyond aware of themselves. The change in type, size, and the lack of space between sections creates so much brightness, playfulness, and excitement that elevates the content as well.
Some choices, like the ornamented letters at the beginning of a chapter, are still unclear to some of the jury members, but their consistent use shows intentionality. We also found it very bold to break so many established perceptions of “good” book design. The lack of full control, mostly in the way it is perceived by the viewer, links back to the organic, unstructured, and untamed feeling of a garden. Images, type, and ornaments come together into this dreamy, romantic, and definitively compelling piece.