SUICIDAL JAPAN
ISTD SUBMISSION - 2019
Suicidal Japan is an answer to the brief ‘Lost’ which after thoroughly researching became linked to the incredibly high suicide rate of Japan and its cultural origins. I explored many avenues in which I could have taken with this brief and was intrigued by the cultural history of the country and how it has affected suicide rates to this day. The book was awarded a pass by the International Society of Typographic Designers.
In line with the theme 'lost' I researched suicide and loss of life, focusing particularly on the Eastern traditions, as they are radically different from how suicide is perceived in the West. In the East, suicide is perceived as an act of honor and loyalty whereas in the West it is perceived as an act of weakness and defeat. The publication looks into the suicide rates of Japan, sacred suicide locations and seppuku which is a form of ritual suicide by disembowelment.
I designed the spreads to be minimalist with white space to follow a typical Japanese aesthetic and the colours used in the publication have been carefully considered to match that of the Japanese culture. The binding of the book is Japanese stab bound which conforms with the nature of the subject. The thread used was dark red similar to the inside cover to match with the laser cut noose on the front. After researching paper stocks and testing multiple Japanese papers I purchased a run of paper that suited the main body of the publication which was Takeo Youmoushi 128gsm from GF Smith. There is one other paper stock used in the publication which is Takeo Tant N-53 116gsm which has been used as an inside cover to turn the die cut noose red. The stocks used have been carefully considered and give a material elegance to the publication.
Mr. Daniel Walpole MISTD
(Member of the International Society of Typographic Designers)
