Five Things
Why do we keep these objects with us?
Five Things Podcast (Concept)
2 months
2019
Graphic Designer
CONTEXT
Howard Thornton
The idea for the project came from Tara Anderson’s podcast “Five Things.” Anderson is the host and producer of the Five Things podcast. It sets the idea of why we keep these objects, what part about them defines us, and what memories we experience from keeping them. This book narrates Howard Thornton's journey, delving into his thoughts and memories, each of which is an object that dictates key moments in his life.
PROBLEMS
More designs, more choices.
Since the main goal was to make the book personal to the subject of the book, special bookbinding and packaging were required for the project:
Subject-Audience Connection
Relay the personal connection of the subject's views and thoughts onto print. Most of the themes were escapism, and that theme had to be showcased throughout the book.
Special for subject
The book and the packaging had to be special and specific for the subject of the project itself. Lots of options were shown and considered for the project.
Threading the topics together
One of the most common problems Tara mentioned was trying to see if the five objects connected somehow or if there was some relevancy to why they were kept.
Challenge
The mission was to make the bookbinding and the casing of the book special in some way for the person the book is about (Howard Thornton). The objects themselves do not have significant value, but the moments and memories that represent those objects are carried; that was the main aspect to show with the subject.
Design Solutions
Inner Thoughts
Creates a journey for the audience to experience by utilizing what he loves and has an affinity for, having his escapist time, and inviting the audience to see and experience it.
Bring it to Life
Since most of his objects relate to gaming or escapism, one of the first things I thought of for this project was bringing them to life for the readers to best represent the subject.
Blasian Style
His African-American and Japanese roots in the special bookbinding and packaging process encompassed this project, which was unconsciously tied to some of his actions that led to his escapism.
The main goal was to relate the personal connection of the subject’s views and thoughts onto print. The constant theme of his objects being escapism must also be conveyed throughout the book. This book uses special diecuts to create special openings to showcase Howard’s quotes to create a journey for the audience to experience his inner thoughts and how he sees the world, as well as his affinity for the creative imagining of his world, took precedence for the audience to peer into his mind.
Book Design
Showcases creativity and captures the journey of the subject of the book.
The book and casing itself represent Howard’s Japanese culture, incorporating Japanese book-binding and bento box scarves to wrap around the book as if it were a “bento.” The content inside represents his ideas and thoughts that come from a Westernized culture, as he lived in America for most of his life. These two aspects help showcase his mixed-race identity overall.
Packaging Design
Creates an immersive experience with the packaging and book design simultaneously.
Illustrations of his five things help mark the pages and showcase his creative and artistic mind.
Illustrations
LOOKING AHEAD
Retrospective
MEASURING A SUCCESS
After the book was finalized, I gave it as a present to my brother, and he loved it. He still has it in his room to this day.
Inspirations for the project and ideas on how to approach the interactiveness of the book. Learning the process of starting and finishing a project from scratch, including outside vendors like paper and packaging companies, was an extremely helpful experience.
Project takeaways.
Test Batches—From making paper prototypes to even testing the quality of papers to choose for our bookbinding project, I realized how much detail I have to go into creating a project from scratch. It’s given me more appreciation for books, and someday I hope to make an art book—either for me or an artist.
Ideas to Reality—I had doubts about this project's vision and execution because it was hard to articulate it to my professor without providing any visuals during the project brief beforehand. Creating paper prototypes and different test versions helped me finalize my idea and helped my professor understand my vision more and gave me a boost of confidence I needed to finish this project.
