Renowned Mexican designer, Gloria Cortina, is known for her unique design inspirations, ranging from Mayan art to 20th-century modernism, natural and archaeological environments, and Mexico's unique Arts and Crafts. The furniture and objects she creates produce specific aesthetics, and they are extremely place-sensitive. Recently, Cortina's show in NYC was commissioned by Cristina Grajales Gallery, and the book editorial design for the show was created to reflect the balanced coexistence of heritage and modernism that inhabits the designer's creative process.
The book, titled "Gloria Cortina, The Infinite Sublime," is more than just a catalog. The layout, typography, and materials make this book a design object in itself. The book aims to communicate the vision and work methodology of the designer, showcasing how she transforms materials taken from nature to create avant-garde expressive objects.
The editorial design make the book take the reader on a journey from the early stages of Cortina's creations to their materialization, displaying hand-drawn sketches, and pictures from the hand-crafting workshops. Through the use of different materials and papers from rustic to processed, and printing finishes, the book tells an ancient story of the designer's creative process.
The subtle yet eloquent layout and editorial design of the book reflects the designer's creative process, and the design objects are place-sensitive. The book responds to the parameters of the curatorial script of Cortina's solo show at the gallery in NYC.
In conclusion, "Gloria Cortina, The Infinite Sublime" is a beautiful book design that showcases the vision and work methodology of the renowned Mexican designer. The book is a reflection of Cortina's creative process and how she transforms materials taken from nature to create avant-garde expressive objects. The book design itself is a design object, using different materials, and the layout reflects the designer's aesthetics.
“I like to understand the essence of things, it’s about understanding the world, but there’s this connection with the wellbeing of a piece. It’s something that brings you peace and joy.” –Gloria Cortina
Editorial design
As part of the furniture show at the Cristina Grajales Gallery in New York City a piece of music was commissioned by Gloria Cortina to the sound designer Justin Sorensen, the soundscape created can be listened to by following the QR code on the last page of the book to complete the multisensory experience.
Credits
- Creative Direction Cristina Grajales / Gloria Cortina
- Art Direction and Graphic Design Diego Pinilla Amaya
- Editorial Coordination Erin Sienko
- Photography Alexandra Farías
- Sketching Rafael Franco
- Texts Cristina Grajales / Dan Rubinstein / Jay Merrick
- Music: Justin Sorensen
- Printing Laura Belmont, Artron Printing America
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