PUBLICATION DESIGN | My Site 18

Publication Design
Whispers of Gommateshwara

publication

Concept behind the book

The book aims to enlighten young readers(children and teenagers) about the intriguing story behind the iconic statue standing still from the past, utilizing illustrations and storytelling to make it an engaging read. The young generation ought to retain valuable history and stories; these legends should be passed down from one generation to another in various forms based on the current means of storytelling and always be remembered in the pages of history. The book would be majorly illustrated with relevant illustrations according to the text on that particular page, a semi-illustrated map of Shravanbelgola, and some stickers and labels for children to be constantly get engaged with the characters and storyline in the book.

Title of the book

Here’s a breakdown of the title:

Whispers: This word evokes a sense of quiet, secret communication, or revelation. Despite its imposing size, it suggests that the Gomteshwara statue has a subtle and intimate connection with those who visit or contemplate it. Gomteshwara refers to Bahubali’s colossal statue.

Artstyle for Illustrations

CRAYON CANVAS BLENDING STYLE

The publication uses a crayon effect for its background and environment, which could be linked to children's rendering mindset, as well as a hand-painted canvas for a user-friendly look.

HARD BLENDING TECHNIQUE WITH VECTOR OUTLINE

This technique is used in character rendering to distinguish them from the background, enhancing their relevance and attracting children's attention away from the background.

Color Palette

FOR ILLUSTRATIONS

The book features an earthy tones color scheme, starting from 983AD, and cool colors to make it an engaging and eye-catching history book for children, providing an illustrated journey through the treasured pages of history.

Moodboard

HOYSALA ARCHITECTURE

Many Jain temples in Karnataka followed the Hoysala architectural style. The rooftop architecture of the gate to the entry of the massive statue is likewise in Hoysala architecture, and its picture is used as the book's filler pages at the beginning and conclusion to show that the path for Bahubali's statue begins and ends at the gate.

Flat Plan and Layout

Grids

4 x 4 modular grid for the text to go halfway through the book from the margins.

3 x 3 modular grid For the placement of the horizontal illustrations.

8 x 8 modular grid For the placement of the illustrations vertically.

0.5 inch Margin

5 mm Gutter

PAGINATION

The book's pagination is usually done on verso (left) pages to avoid distracting the reader from the plot by drawing their attention to it. The pagination has a theme from Karnataka's KASUTI needlework, as the story's major premise revolves around Shravanbelgola Karnataka.

INSCRIPTIONS

The summit of Vindhyagiri has over 800 inscriptions. To illustrate these prominent inscriptions in the Halegannada script (old Kannada), they are used as a backdrop pattern throughout the book, implying that they reside practically everywhere on the hilltop.