Beyond the Blue: A Colorful Journey into the Ocean's Depths

World Ocean Day Publication by Sung ho Nam Explores Environmental Issues Through Color

Derived from the inspiration of observing the sea at sunset, Sung ho Nam realized that the sea's colors are not always blue but vary depending on time, place, and situation. This observation led to the creation of "Beyond the Blue," a book that introduces various aspects of the ocean through distinguishing colors of each chapter. The book's unique properties lie in its ability to symbolically express the bright and dark sides of the sea through color chips. For instance, a green color chip symbolizes a healthy sea forest, while a red one depicts the grim reality of a sea filled with whale blood.

Published in celebration of World Ocean Day, "Beyond the Blue" is not just an ordinary publication. It is a testament to Sung ho Nam's commitment to environmental protection, sustainability, and coexistence. The book was printed using soybean oil ink, which has low environmental pollution, on 100g matte paper, and thread bound to reduce bond usage. These specifications highlight the designer's dedication to sustainability and environmental consciousness.

With a size of 187mm wide and 245mm long, and a total of 90 pages, "Beyond the Blue" is designed to be accessible and engaging for readers of all ages. The use of color as a universal material makes it easy and intuitive for everyone to understand the environmental issues related to the sea. This approach is a result of Sung ho Nam's research, which identified the need to communicate the importance of the sea in a simple and intuitive way.

The design process of "Beyond the Blue" began in April 2018 and concluded in May 2019 in Seoul. Throughout this period, Sung ho Nam faced the challenge of symbolically illustrating environmental problems through color chips. This required careful expression to ensure that the book's message was effectively communicated.

Ultimately, "Beyond the Blue" is more than just a book. It is a creative and innovative approach to raising awareness about the importance of ocean conservation. Its success is evidenced by its recognition at the A' Print and Published Media Design Award in 2020, where it was awarded Silver. This accolade is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise, innovation, and a remarkable level of excellence.