TITLE // The Red Cord
DATE // 2006
CLIENT // Academy of Art University Coursework
Deliverables // Book Design, Illustrations
Create a book based on a story or event of your choice. No imagery of the event or
those that participated in the event may be used if the event or story that is chosen
actually took place. Use your skills as a designer to find or create new imagery without
being literal.
The Red Cord is a classic Chinese fairy tale that dates back thousands of years. The
story states that all men and women as tired together with an invisible cord at birth,
thus suggesting that couples are fated to be together even at birth.
The approach of the design of The Red Cord was twofold. The book must not only reflect
the content of the story, but the Chinese origin as well. The illustrations consisted of
brush work, Chinese stamping, and paper cutouts, all imagery often associated with Chinese
culture. The story was printed on brown bond paper to reflect the age and classic nature
of the book. The entire story was then bound together with red twine in a Chinese
stitch-binding pattern to further reinforce the Chinese origins of this story.