His Death.
[Book Design] [Awarded ISTD]
About the Project
‘His Death’ is a publication that I wrote & designed in response to the ISTD 2025 Milestones brief. The project explores the profound and multifaceted nature of death by contrasting the objective, universal process with the deeply personal experience of grief. This publication serves as a visual and typographic exploration of the stark contrast between the end of a life and the beginning of a different one for those left behind.
Concept
The core concept of 'His Death' is to present death through two distinct lenses. The first section views death from a detached, scientific perspective, documenting the methodical milestones a body goes through during decomposition and cremation. The second section offers my account of the milestones of grief from when my younger brother died. The project aimed to open up the conversation about death, dying and grief.
-
Working on 'His Death' was an opportunity to explore a sensitive and complex topic through graphic design, which is something I consider one of my strengths. My aim was to create a publication that could present both the clinical facts of mortality & my personal experience of loss in an attempt to open up conversations. I focused on using a consistent design framework while varying other elements like colour & layout to show the difference between a universal process and a unique emotional journey. I was awarded ISTD membership for ‘His Death’ and showcased it at D&Ad New Blood Festival 2025.
-
Typography
Layout and Grid Systems
Typesetting
Producing for Print
Conceptual Thinking
Visual Storytelling
Critical Thinking and Reflection
Publication Design
InDesign
Photoshop
Creative Writing
Research
Strategy & Specification Document
The design strategy for 'His Death' was built on visual contrast. The first part of the publication uses a monochromatic palette and justified type to create a detached, clinical feel. The gradual darkening of black tones and the use of white typography communicate the sombre subject matter, and subtle alterations to the baseline, tracking, & opacity were implemented to represent the body's fading.
The second part shifts to reflect the emotions experienced with grief. The introduction of colour, varied scale, and emotive language disrupts the structured feel of the first section. Despite these changes, the publication maintains the same core typeface, grid, and baseline, showing how the personal experience of grief and the universal process of death exist alongside each other.
His Death.
[Book Design]
-
‘His Death’ is a publication that I wrote & designed in response to the ISTD 2025 Milestones brief. The project explores the profound and multifaceted nature of death by contrasting the objective, universal process with the deeply personal experience of grief. This publication serves as a visual and typographic exploration of the stark contrast between the end of a life and the beginning of a different one for those left behind.
-
Working on 'His Death' was an opportunity to explore a sensitive and complex topic through graphic design, which is something I consider one of my strengths. My aim was to create a publication that could present both the clinical facts of mortality & my personal experience of loss in an attempt to open up conversations. I focused on using a consistent design framework while varying other elements like colour & layout to show the difference between a universal process and a unique emotional journey. I was awarded ISTD membership for ‘His Death’ and showcased it at D&Ad New Blood Festival 2025.
-
The core concept of 'His Death' is to present death through two distinct lenses. The first section views death from a detached, scientific perspective, documenting the methodical milestones a body goes through during decomposition and cremation. The second section offers my account of the milestones of grief from when my younger brother died. The project aimed to open up the conversation about death, dying and grief.
-
Typography
Layout and Grid Systems
Typesetting
Producing for Print
Conceptual Thinking
Visual Storytelling
Critical Thinking and Reflection
Publication Design
InDesign
Photoshop
Creative Writing
Research
-
The design strategy for 'His Death' was built on visual contrast. The first part of the publication uses a monochromatic palette and justified type to create a detached, clinical feel. The gradual darkening of black tones and the use of white typography communicate the sombre subject matter, and subtle alterations to the baseline, tracking, & opacity were implemented to represent the body's fading.
The second part shifts to reflect the emotions experienced with grief. The introduction of colour, varied scale, and emotive language disrupts the structured feel of the first section. Despite these changes, the publication maintains the same core typeface, grid, and baseline, showing how the personal experience of grief and the universal process of death exist alongside each other.
Below are some examples from the Strategy and Specification document submitted to ISTD.
