Motivation
Growing up, many people that I looked up to were African Americans. In 2018 and 2019, I saw this project as an opportunity for me to learn about African American history and experience as an international student. I was deeply inspired by StoryCorps’ recording of stories and voices in their Griot initiative and would strongly recommend going on their website to listen to them.
Griot
A griot is the traditional West African title for a storyteller, whose mission is to pass down the oral history of family and community from generation to generation.
Logomark & Cover
The form of Griot’s logomark shares resemblance of quotation marks, referencing the catalog’s focus on dialogues. The shortened cover implies the gesture of revealing people’s life stories.
Scale & Sound Waves
The large-scale format of the publication contributes to the sense of establishment to the tonality. The vivid yellow sound waves extending from the spine represents the powerful voices within the book.
Graphic Language
The recording graphic language used throughout the catalog connects with StoryCorps’ mission of documenting American life through interviews. Page numbers in this publication are formatted in the style of ‘recording time.’
Typography & Color Scheme
Bold and diverse typography moves express the distinct tone of voice of each individual. The shifting of the type also mimics the form of sound waves. The dynamic color combination of violet and yellow, inspired by Harlem Renaissance artworks' color scheme, communicates the richness in African American culture.
Griot (Editorial Design)
Year
2019
Instructor
Simon Johnston
Description
Griot is the documentation of the African American experience. The catalog consists of four sections: interviews from StoryCorps, the historical context of the griot, an essay regarding African American identity, and image documentary. StoryCorps is an American non-profit organization that records interviews of Americans from all walks of life.
Motivation
Growing up, many people that I looked up to were African Americans. In 2018 and 2019, I saw this project as an opportunity for me to learn about African American history and experience as an international student. I was deeply inspired by StoryCorps’ recording of stories and voices in their Griot initiative and would strongly recommend going on their website to listen to them.
Griot
A griot is the traditional West African title for a storyteller, whose mission is to pass down the oral history of family and community from generation to generation.
Logomark & Cover
The form of Griot’s logomark shares resemblance of quotation marks, referencing the catalog’s focus on dialogues. The shortened cover implies the gesture of revealing people’s life stories.
Scale & Sound Waves
The large-scale format of the publication contributes to the sense of establishment to the tonality. The vivid yellow sound waves extending from the spine represents the powerful voices within the book.
Graphic Language
The recording graphic language used throughout the catalog connects with StoryCorps’ mission of documenting American life through interviews. Page numbers in this publication are formatted in the style of ‘recording time.’
Typography & Color Scheme
Bold and diverse typography moves express the distinct tone of voice of each individual. The shifting of the type also mimics the form of sound waves. The dynamic color combination of violet and yellow, inspired by Harlem Renaissance artworks' color scheme, communicates the richness in African American culture.
