Beyond: An outward voyage through space
2021, Self-directed project
PHOTOGRAPHIC BOOK DESIGN
Editorial design for a hybrid publication using open access content and published as a large-format print-on-demand book and a free interactive ebook.
Beyond is an exploratory journey outward from Earth. Revisiting Ptolemy’s geocentric view of the universe, our extraterrestrial neighbours are visited in order, starting with manmade satellites and progressing 40 trillion kilometres to Proxima Centauri.
Each spread is bespoke, balancing striking NASA images and supporting text with modern icons and graphic illustrations. The astronomical symbols representing each celestial object serve as a recurring theme, tying the narrative together and adding an illustrative element not often found in space books.
To link the hybrid publication to the digital landscape and further set it apart from similar books, which employ classic serif typography, I opted for a clean, modern sans serif and supplementary ‘space’ typefaces. In the ebook, the space-themed ones are prominent, giving a playful feel to complement the ebook’s interactive and educational style. In the POD book, these are reserved for illustrations and the short factsheet introducing each object.
