Revolutionizing Financial Literacy: Jakub Stelmach's Innovative Design

Stelmach's "Stock and Financial Instruments" Book: A Blend of Design and Finance

The inspiration for this project stemmed from Stelmach's own experience working for a financial institution. He noticed a gap in the market for a publication that combined design basics with financial knowledge, particularly in the Polish market. This led him to consult with an Economic Ph.D. and gather terminology to create a comprehensive guide for those interested in data visualization for stock markets.

What sets this book apart is its unique blend of two knowledge branches: data visualization and the basics of financial markets. It is a compendium of theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of designing visual information for stocks and financial instruments. The book is designed to broaden the knowledge of novice designers working for financial companies and to offer a fresh perspective on the subject.

The book is hard-covered and covered in textile, ensuring durability and a high aesthetic look. The insides are made with Munken Lynx Smooth 120g/m2, preventing the color of the graphics from showing through to other pages. The book's dimensions are 176 mm x 241mm, with a black textile hardcover and screenprinting. It also features a book jacket with an abstract visual and a short description on the back.

The project started in February 2020 and was printed in May 2021. To define the problem, Stelmach used Design Thinking methods, which helped him identify the problem, understand the needs of potential users, and find a solution. The biggest challenge was gathering all the data and information to ensure the book provides a quick understanding of both topics.

"Stock and Financial Instruments" is a publication that provides theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of graphic design principles and the fundamentals of stock markets’ functioning. It includes an introduction to graphic design, common data visualization mistakes, a stock exchange glossary, and a brief history of the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The book is created for all novice designers and traders.

This innovative design was awarded Silver in A' Print and Published Media Design Award in 2022, a testament to its creativity, professional excellence, and innovation. The award is given to designs that showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.