Revolutionizing History Education: Jaehun Kim's Innovative Textbook Design

Jaehun Kim's Award-Winning Design Approach Makes History Engaging for Students

Kim's inspiration for the project stemmed from the belief that history, while often perceived as a challenging subject, can be made more interesting if presented in the right way. The cover design of the textbooks expresses the perspective of viewing history, suggesting that studying history can be made easier. For middle school students, two textbooks were designed with the same layout to depict the experience of feeling history in a relaxing way. The high school textbook, on the other hand, aims to deliver an image of the modern student being connected to different eras in the same space.

What sets Kim's design apart is its unique properties. The series comprises three history textbooks, each with a cover image that embodies the concept of meeting history. A simple diamond-shaped graphic and font in the center express the subject name, maintaining a consistent identity across the history textbooks. Various post-processing methods were used to maximize the implementation of the design concept, including the use of stickers and epoxy to match the background color and generate a premium look. A no-scratch coating was also used for finishing to minimize scratches and tears during use.

The textbooks are not just information resources, but also tools for communication between students and teachers. Various apps and websites have been developed to help teachers teach and students learn, enhancing user convenience. These services reinforce the brand of Visang history textbooks through a consistent identity.

The project, which was started in March 2019 and finished in August 2019 in Seoul, Korea, faced several challenges. Without images of historical artifacts on the cover, users are not easily reminded of the subject content. This has led many history textbooks to have similar cover designs. The key task was to implement an idea that differed from the norm, and through much effort, the "History Viewed by Us" concept was created. As a result, Visang history textbooks were able to differentiate themselves and gain much support from students.

Kim's innovative approach to textbook design has not only won him the prestigious Silver A' Design Award but has also set a new standard in educational design. His work serves as a reminder that design can play a crucial role in making learning more engaging and accessible for students.