Rational Beauty

As I entered my latest collaboration with conceptual artist Julie Wolfe, I knew every production detail needed to embody her multi-layered exploration of perception, change, and association.

For the follow-up to Apophenia (2023), Wolfe used the collaborative “exquisite corpse” method to translate the phenomenon of apophenia—the tendency to perceive meaningful patterns within randomness. Her dynamic interplay of visual and conceptual dialogue reveals unexpected connections and emergent structures, inviting readers to discover their own associations.

As with the first book in the series, I retained the oversize (265 × 330 mm) format and exposed-spine binding, both of which reinforce the tactile, physical nature of the work. The exposed spine became an integral part of the design, with the title printed directly on the exposed white signatures. The signatures were carefully sequenced so that a white sheet remains visible beneath the title, ensuring that it is free of imagery and legible on any bookshelf. Beyond its visual presence, the exposed-spine binding allows the book to lie perfectly flat, creating seamless crossovers for artwork across the gutter.

The introduction of ABC Maxi Round echoes the recurring shapes and rhythms found throughout Wolfe’s work, and the use of translucent IBO Reflex paper helps to shift between the three distinct bodies of work. By printing type in reverse and allowing it to be read through the sheet, these pages create layered visual effects that reference the transparency and overlapping forms present in the artwork.

Ultimately, the materials, typography, and production came together to create a physical experience that could mirror the psychological landscape of the artwork.

TDC 72
D&AD Wood Pencil, 2026
AIGA 50 Books | 50 Covers, 2025