Treasure Island: A Unique Book Design by Jiang Hong-Da

A Creative Approach to Book Design

The design of Treasure Island is centered around the idea of a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. The black triangle on the book cover represents a crown or mountains on the island, symbolizing the riches that lie within. The Chinese typography of the title is printed in Pantone 877C silver, giving it a sharp and cubic design that expresses the solidity of silver bricks. The filled gaps in the typography represent the "fully loaded" treasure, adding depth and intrigue to the design.

One of the standout features of this design is the use of Pantone 873C golden ink to print three elements: waves, a skeleton, and boats. This extra quantity of golden ink creates a stunning golden color that adds a touch of luxury to the book. Removing the book cover reveals a hidden golden treasure, adding an element of surprise and delight for the reader.

Another unique aspect of Treasure Island is the fore-edge painting. The designer chose a picture of an island and split it into pieces, implanting each piece in order according to the page number. The slight shifts during the binding process create a foggy view of the Treasure Island, adding an atmospheric touch to the design.

The realization of this design involved careful attention to detail and the use of advanced printing techniques. The black triangle on the cover was printed in dark black to make it recognizable against the black background. Spot varnishing was used to enhance the brightness and texture of the design. The Chinese typography was printed in Pantone 877C silver, and silver powder was spread throughout the book to elevate the quality of the pictures.

Treasure Island measures 148mm x 210mm and consists of 392 pages. It is a true testament to the creativity and craftsmanship of Jiang Hong-Da and his team. The project was undertaken in Taiwan and completed in September 2018.

This unique book design has garnered recognition and acclaim in the design community. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Print and Published Media Design category in 2019. This award recognizes designs that are well-designed, practical, and innovative, meeting professional and industrial requirements. Treasure Island stands out for its integration of industry best practices and competent technical characteristics, providing fulfillment and positive feelings to readers.

With its innovative features and attention to detail, Treasure Island is a true treasure in the world of book design. It offers a captivating reading experience that combines art, design, and storytelling in a truly unique way.