indigo book design.
I started with in-depth research into indigo’s origins,
from its botanical roots to its role in ancient dyeing traditions. I used "Indigo" by Jenny Balfour-Paul as the main inspiration for this book, simplifying the content to create a visually appealing, design-focused book that serves as a visual narrative through image and text.
I carefully organized this information into
a cohesive structure, using a clear and deliberate grid system to guide the layout. Each chapter reflects a different facet of indigo’s story: the plant, its ancient uses, the dyeing process, its role in art, and its
relevance in the modern world.
After organizing the content into six clear sections with supporting subsections, I was able to begin making focused design decisions. I followed a defined set of visual rules, using striking imagery alongside bold, minimal typography to let the richness of the blue palette carry the narrative.
I paired Helvetica with Mercury to strike a balance between clarity and character, contrasting the clean, modern lines of Helvetica with the nuance of Mercury. This pairing reflects the tension between the organic texture and cultural history of indigo and the structure of contemporary design. A minimal color palette kept the emphasis on imagery and content, while a strong typographic hierarchy established rhythm and flow throughout the spreads.