Art & Us: A Unique Blend of Art and Book Design

Vilius Dringelis' Award-Winning Book Design Captures the Essence of an Artist's Sketchbook

What sets Art & Us apart from other art books is its unique presentation. The book features visualizations of the author’s works without any informative text. A small booklet, tucked at the end of the book, describes the author’s works according to the numbered pages of the book. This innovative approach allows readers to immerse themselves in the visual experience before delving into the details.

The book's realization technology further enhances its sketchbook-like impression. It employs a binding technology known as kettle stitching. The main cover is made of a soft, transparent PVC sheet with single-color silk-screen printing and a designed pocket in the back for a smaller catalog. The first sheet of paper uses hot foil stamping, which is translucent through PVC and gives a two-layer impression. The pages are printed with UV technology on various types of paper, including Galerie Art volume and Holmen Book Extra.

Art & Us is not just a book; it's an interactive experience. Almost every page features original illustrations. Rough, yellowish paper is used for exhibition documentation, and transparent markers with numbers are inserted between the pages. This design approach makes the object as seamless as possible, resembling an artist's sketchbook.

The design process for Art & Us was a challenging yet rewarding journey. The most difficult part was creating background illustrations for each page, which would be an abstract reminder of the artist's sketchbook and would have its own style. These illustrations were hand-drawn, photographed, scanned, and computer-processed. The book selects three types of papers to better reveal the art works, archival documentation of exhibitions, and transparent markers.

Art & Us is a testament to the power of innovative design. It has been recognized with the prestigious Golden A' Print and Published Media Design Award in 2021, a testament to its outstanding design and trendsetting creations. This award is granted to designs that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.