Thesis samples

With Age Comes Wisdom Slideshow >
Major final project 2002

Studying the minority nationalities of China has opened my eyes to an entirely new and fascinating world. As a designer it forced me to look beyond the immediate. I wanted to capture the centuries of tradition and the wisdom of its people, within the pages of this book.

The Chinese proverb that forms the title of this book 'With Age Comes Wisdom' is translated as 'Old Ginger is More Spicy than Young Ginger'. To me this symbolises their soul. A nation that, despite all odds has remained intact, long after the initial formation of its empire, where other's have long since crumbled.

My journey begins at the entry point of the Silk Road, high up in the north-west of China. Transporting me along the ancient trading routes that my ancesotrs would have taken, back in the third century BC.
Each nationality is portrayed in relation to its position, as it falls along
the silk road. Also incorporating later tading routes that were established, all leading to, and from, the capital, Chang'an.

The silk thread that runs through the book shows again this quest for silk, as if a skein had been unravelled and there was a search for the end.

Matrix: The Principles of Typographic Detailing Slideshow >
ISTD (International Society of Typographic Designers) brief 2002

The brief was to design and make a book about ten elements of typographic detailing. It is aimed at both designers and students
and combines a factual guide with a timeline showing the important typographic events throughout the history of design. I recieved an award from the ISTD for this work and that gained me entry into
the society.
rming.org