…the design considered the visual, narrative and physical experience to create a lasting and meaningful impression…
…to evoke a sense of stability; typographic hierarchy to propel the factual data, narrative and the artworks critical recognition…
…representative illustrations of the artworks were crafted to unify distinct views, capture important details and reveal their aesthetic merit…
The book summarizes over a decade of imaging + design services for the spiralling renown of the collection
Background
In 2016 a specialist publisher Kashi House proposed an illustrated book of the highlights from the ‘Toor Collection’ a recognised private collection of Punjab related art; designed & illustrated by Juga Singh and introduced by the bestselling author and art historian William Dalrymple.
Since 2002 and up to the end of 2017, Juga led and developed the digital imaging of the artworks within the Toor Collection. After designing the publisher's first title in 2008 (click to learn more about the project), he continued to design three books featuring the collection in 2011, 2013 and 2017.Primarily considering the collection is an asset, the creative direction for the photography and design was to elevate the reputation of the artworks. In this regard Juga tabled the book design of two distinct editions in a square format; an accessible softcover edition and a special limited hardback spot varnished, presented within a clamshell box.
The page design was intentionally understated and subdued, allowing the artworks to speak. The representative illustrations of the artworks were photographed and composed to unify distinct views, capture important details and reveal the aesthetic merit. Combining careful attention to: typeface selection to evoke a sense of stability; typographic hierarchy to propel the factual data, narrative and the artworks critical recognition.
Outcome
The book concludes and summarizes over a decade of image + design services for the spiralling renown of the collection, with two thirds of the objects [63/94] introduced, appraised and critically established within Juga’s previous collaborative projects.
Working to the requirements and production efficiencies of both the publisher and collection, the extent of the book had expanded from the envisioned catalogue entry within Alison & Busby’s ‘New Titles, January - June 2017’ catalogue. The delivered design totalled 320 pages, 200 object images and 78,000 word count; with Juga singularly credited for the design and 99.5% of the object illustrations [199/200].
The author of the book, antique dealer and curator of the collection Davinder Toor describing Juga’s approach: 'a true design guru and master photographer, Juga Singh has provided me a new pair of eyes with which to look upon the world and it has been an utter privilege to have worked with him so closely on this book. I thank him dearly for the equipoise and harmony he has brought to its pages'. (p.xv)
