An exploration of the relationship between these two disciplines within the work  of Le Corbusier.

"The relationship between architecture and book design is scarcely written about, and on first appearance to many, these two disciplines do not seem related to each other at all. Even though there appears to be an initial difference between the two, when looked at in closer detail one can see the similarities. Each has a lot of qualities to be inspired by the other.

Architecture, like book design is a ‘utilitarian art’ (Teague, 1949, p.44). The American architect and industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague notes on the similar styles apparent in much of the arts and objects of everyday use. The reaction against the decorative styles of the previous century can be established with what György Kepes, painter, designer and art theorist, who worked alongside the Bauhaus professor, Laszlo Maholy-Nagy, wrote: ‘We haven’t what the German call “platz angst” – the fear of the empty spaces – any more… so in our scientific picture of the external world we do not try to fill out the empty spaces.’ (1994, p.32) Detail is shown in the sparse blank walls or pages..."

Architecture as book design, book design as architecture

After much research and wandering around the five districts closest to me in the London borough of Hackney, I have created books about each of these places that can be used as walking guides. There is a lack of printed information available on Hackney, and the few historical guides I could find feature dull, text-heavy pages, which I feel don't make the area's history accessible to the public. By interpreting the atmosphere of each district into the style of the illustrations and layouts, I hope to present an insight into what makes them unique through the eyes of an outsider.

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Kirsty Collar