indigo

I began with in-depth research into indigo’s botanical origins, ancient dyeing traditions, and cultural significance, using Jenny Balfour-Paul’s Indigo as the primary source. I transformed this research into a 71-page visual narrative, balancing image and text to explore indigo through six sections covering the plant, its history, dyeing process, role in art, and contemporary relevance.

A deliberate grid system and defined visual rules create a cohesive structure throughout the book, while bold, minimal typography and a rich blue palette allow the imagery and content to drive the narrative. Helvetica and Mercury were paired to balance clarity with character, contrasting Helvetica’s clean, modern forms with Mercury’s more nuanced qualities. This visual language reflects the tension between indigo’s organic materiality and cultural history and the structure of contemporary design.