Eclipsed Memories
“Is the past a recollection of memories?”
Eclipsed Memories started as a book about a site, and was extended to be a book about the past: the history of people, places, and the timeless desire to live. The book contains various content: a play, poems, music, photography, and illustrations, which were designed to capture the tranquil atmosphere of the original site, and the overall theme of the book.
The design includes not just the book itself, but also the extension project Refleur, which, in contrast to the book, encourages the audience to look forward into the future.
Process
System Establishment
In the first few drafts, the system was establised as a four-column grid, with a thin textblock set in the middle of the page. I wanted to make the book feel classical, but not strictly follows the traditional rules of how, let’s say, a novel, is typeset.
The text block was then moved closer to the edge of the book to optimize the space better, the number of columns was reduced. The grid was then refined in order to fit different types of contents.
I decided to use Joanna Sans Nova (designed by Terrance Weinzierl in 2015, based on Joanna designed by Eric Gill from 1930 to 1931) for headings.
Adobe Garamond (designed by Robert Slimbach in 1989) was used for paragraphs and main text. The typeface has a great classical look, which was perfect for my book's aim.
Cover & Slipcase Design
The initial idea for the cover design is to break apart the letters, which reflects the fragmented nature of memories. However, it was then changed into the image of the eclipsed moon, more poetic and metaphoric.
This also opened up the opportunity to design a slipcase that resonates with the cover.
I chose to use wood for my slipcase, since I wanted the design to be engraved instead of printed, or pasted. This gives it a permanent impression, which resonates with the idea of memories and the past.
