Mandate

The directives of this project was to research the artist and design a book cover that would later be adapted into an e-book that is reflective of his work.

Client

Jeffrey Gibson’s Cherokee and Choctaw lineage has influenced his art practice that explores the indigenous experience. He is known for his exploration of beaded works and repurposing of found objects and commercial commodities.

intentions

Jeffrey often speaks of his indigeneity and liberation through art in the work he creates and I wanted my approach to reflect that. I did many thumbnail sketches, mood boards and colour picking while deciding on what I wanted the cover to achieve. I wanted it to be provocative and daring like Jeffrey. I initially wanted to make a bookcase out of wood, but felt it would take away from the entire concept of the cover itself. The book would speak for itself without a jacket or a case.

JB exhibition with one darkskin person laying on a lightskin person.

Image 1 | WHAT WE WANT IS FREE, 2020 
Image 2 | Gibson speaking at the Hirshhorn Museum,2024
Image 3+4 | I YOUR RELATIVE Exhibition, 2022 

Design Making

To showcase his work and his strong sense of values, I wanted to place a large pull quote from an interview on the back cover. A high resolution image would be placed front centered on the front cover. The singular word marginal in red on the back would be reflective of the title uppercase in red on the cover. The page layout and e-book utilizes the same boldness of type, imagery and colour.

front of the book cover with image of artwork with text

i am inspired by creative figures and outsiders who were powerful because they refused to be marginal.

Mandate

Client

intentions

Design Making

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