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- Logo
- Publication Design
Credits
Illustration: Ilya Milstein
Typography: Quadrant Text (Matter of Sorts), Herbik (Counter Forms)
BRIEF
To redesign the Summer Reading Guide, elevating it to be more engaging and contemporary, and positioning the associated bookshops as distinctly independent tastemakers. The new design approach sees the introduction of editorial content from featured authors, providing an opportunity to present less as a catalogue and more as a literary journal, and better platform the rich reviewed content within. Legibility of text is to be a key consideration given the diverse readership audience, along with colour usage on the light GSM paper stock to ensure no show through when printing.
Alongside redesigning the internal pages, TRiC were to oversee the creation of a full-colour illustration for the front cover. Fundamentally, the illustrations needed to feature books heavily, immediately and clearly evoke an Australian summer, and feature a diverse range of people. Visually it needed to pop and be engaging, with energy and momentum to be stand out, as it is often distributed as a newspaper insert.
The new design approach and creative direction was to be rolled out by TRiC for both the 2024/25 and 2025/26 editions.
RESPONSE
We looked to contemporary book design, literature, editorial layout and typography to introduce a more refined, literary visual language for the Summer Reading Guide, whilst maintaining the legibility and accessibility of the existing design.
Conceptually, we extended the sentiment of a ‘distinctly Australian’ cover illustration through to the typography, with the introduction of several Australian-designed typefaces. Quadrant Text (designed in Melbourne by Vincent Chan) carried a distinct ‘designed’ typographic personality that beautifully communicates headings and book titles. Herbik (designed in Perth by Daniel Veneklaas) was introduced for smaller body text, softening each review to evoke a more humanist, storytelling energy.
Each paired with a book cover, we established a simple structure for each review, with hierarchy established through typographic case, generous spacing between columns, and a subtle pop of colour to distinguish ‘special price’ books.
Leading the publications are vibrant cover illustrations by Australian illustrator Ilya Milstein — one of an iconic ocean pool scene, and another a parkside gathering. Distinctly summery and Australian, the scenes capture the magic of summertime reading and diversity of books in richly-coloured scenes.
OUTCOME
The redesigned 2024/25 and 2025/26 Summer Reading Guides are strikingly fresh and engaging, with a contemporary literary feel that strengthens the rich reviewed content within.