BRIEF
To design a book and app that reflects Christine Sun Kim’s unique universe, where she uses visual elements to explore the perception of sound as a deaf individual.
context
Christine Sun Kim is a deaf sound artist based in Berlin. Recipient of a Master of Fine Arts in Music / Sound from Bard College, she considers how sound operates in society through various mediums like drawings, performance art and videography. Using music notation, American Sign Language (ASL) and written languages, Kim’s work has been exhibited in major cultural institutions internationally, including in the Museum of Modern Art's first exhibition about sound in 2013 and the Whitney Biennial in 2019. She further uses sound to explore her own relationship to verbal languages and her environment, as well as gaining back control of sound as a societal device.
Approach
Drawing inspiration from the white space present in Kim's work, the design displays values of openness and minimalism. The title, “Deaf Rage”, is conveyed through the punctual uses of red accent, adding dynamism to the otherwise monochromatic design. Using the same visual language established in the book layout, the app furthers the representation of her exploration of sound. By incorporating interactive galleries, video, and animation, it provides an additional dimension to the project.
outcome
This project successfully captures Christine Sun Kim's exploration of sound and its attached meaning. By utilizing the visual language characterizing her work and pairing it with minimal graphics element, the project becomes that more deeply connected to the artist's process and invites the reader in her universe. This was a unique and important project for me because it required a thorough understanding of Kim's work, allowing me to relate to her creative process and gain admiration for her as an artist.
front and back covers
Book Spreads
app in movement
BRIEF
To design a book and app that reflects Christine Sun Kim’s unique universe, where she uses visual elements to explore the perception of sound as a deaf individual.
context
Christine Sun Kim is a deaf sound artist based in Berlin. Recipient of a Master of Fine Arts in Music / Sound from Bard College, she considers how sound operates in society through various mediums like drawings, performance art and videography. Using music notation, American Sign Language (ASL) and written languages, Kim’s work has been exhibited in major cultural institutions internationally, including in the Museum of Modern Art's first exhibition about sound in 2013 and the Whitney Biennial in 2019. She further uses sound to explore her own relationship to verbal languages and her environment, as well as gaining back control of sound as a societal device.
Approach
Drawing inspiration from the white space present in Kim's work, the design displays values of openness and minimalism. The title, “Deaf Rage”, is conveyed through the punctual uses of red accent, adding dynamism to the otherwise monochromatic design. Using the same visual language established in the book layout, the app furthers the representation of her exploration of sound. By incorporating interactive galleries, video, and animation, it provides an additional dimension to the project.
outcome
This project successfully captures Christine Sun Kim's exploration of sound and its attached meaning. By utilizing the visual language characterizing her work and pairing it with minimal graphics element, the project becomes that more deeply connected to the artist's process and invites the reader in her universe. This was a unique and important project for me because it required a thorough understanding of Kim's work, allowing me to relate to her creative process and gain admiration for her as an artist.
