ZDCollections: A Unique Book Design

Breaking the Boundaries of Traditional Book Design

ZDCollections is the fourth installment of the Hourly Point Collection, aptly named The Whole-point Fourth Collection. This unique book design showcases the outstanding works of 23 students, categorized into fonts, graphics, RGB, and other elements. The collection breaks away from traditional regular frame typesetting, employing breakthrough design techniques to better convey the inner meaning of the works.

The realization of this design involved a departure from conventional layout practices. The pages were carefully designed to create a cohesive flow, enhancing readers' understanding of the text content and providing a seamless reading experience. Attention was paid to every detail, from color saturation and ink penetration to image reduction and printing quality. The binding process was also meticulously executed to ensure the book's overall quality and reader satisfaction.

The technical specifications of ZDCollections include a book size of 150mm x 252mm and a format of 880mm x 1230mm 1/16. The book consists of 430 pages, each thoughtfully crafted to engage readers and evoke a sense of pleasure.

The design team behind ZDCollections includes Xue Jiang as the Creative Director, Shiyu Ma as the Art Director, Yaoqian Han as the Typographer, and Shuai Shao as the Copywriter. Together, they collaborated to bring this unique book design to life.

ZDCollections is an interactive book that seamlessly integrates its content style and table design sequence. By blurring the color and graphic boundaries, the book itself becomes a design work that complements the rearrangement of different design works on its inner pages. The laser material used for the cover enhances the overall feel of the book, directing readers' attention to the content within.

The project commenced in Dalian in July 2019 and was completed in March 2020. It was exhibited at Dalian Bingshan Huigu in May, showcasing the creativity and innovation of the design team.

The design of ZDCollections was backed by thorough research. The works of 23 students were carefully analyzed and divided into various elements, allowing for a comprehensive rearrangement that highlights their unique qualities. The choice of paper, layout design, composition of rhythm space, font application, and binding method all contributed to the overall expression of content and form, providing a pleasurable sensory experience.

One of the main challenges faced during the design process was creating a book cover that effectively conveyed the information within. Through extensive research and data collection, the team ultimately selected laser materials to illustrate the book's theme, establishing a seamless connection between the cover and the inner pages.

ZDCollections has received recognition for its outstanding design. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Print and Published Media Design category in 2021. This prestigious award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The design of ZDCollections integrates industry best practices and exhibits competent technical characteristics, contributing to a better world.