Revolutionizing Textbook Design: Visang Literature Textbook

Jaehun Kim and Kyoungmi Yoo's Innovative Approach to Textbook Design

The Visang Literature Textbook is inspired by the idea of creating a story that resonates with students who are sensitive to trends. The design encapsulates various subjects – literature, language, media, speech, and composition – in a single, unified design. The cover design is unique, unlike anything seen in existing textbooks, and is intended to represent students' emotions. The cover illustrations are webtoon-like, a popular medium among students, and each book in the series carries a subject-specific story on its cover, providing a preview of the subject matter.

Kim and Yoo's design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally conscious. The textbook is made from 75g eco-friendly recycled paper, and unnecessary end paper has been removed to reduce costs. The cover uses spot color, colored foil, and epoxy to express the design more effectively, and it is finished with a matte coating to prevent scratches and provide a luxurious finish. The textbook measures 210mm in width and 270mm in height, with a cover made from Snow White 250g paper.

The design process for the Visang Literature Textbook began in March 2018 and was completed in July 2018. The design team, led by creative director Kyoungmi Yoo, included designers Seyeon Jeong, Jisoo Kim, and Yoonjeong Kang. The team faced the challenge of breaking the stereotype of textbook covers, which are typically serious and subject-focused. They conducted preference surveys among students to validate their innovative design approach and were able to bring about a change in textbook design through their differentiated approach.

Based on their research on students' interests, the team found that students were highly interested in online webtoons. They focused on incorporating this style into their cover design, which has since become a sensation. The design has not only resonated with students' emotions but also achieved the team's series marketing intentions, leading them to a dominant position in the next adoption market.

In conclusion, the Visang Literature Textbook by Jaehun Kim and Kyoungmi Yoo is a groundbreaking design that has revolutionized the concept of textbook design. It is a testament to the power of design in transforming traditional tools into engaging and sensitive collections of essays that resonate with students. The design's success is evidenced by its Silver A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award in 2019, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation.