AN HOMAGE TO THE SICILIAN DEFENSE
06 ILL GIOCO SICILIANO
PUBLICATION
CONTEXT
Il Gioco Siciliano or “The Sicilian Game” is an experimental publication that shows a grunge and gritty side of chess typically clothed in a beautiful and elegant light.
The objective of this project was to create a physical print publication featuring a specific topic of one’s choice. Decisions on type, imagery, layout, and format needed to be considered conceptually to create a meaningful design.
The process of designing this publication was a reflection of the unpredictability of the Sicilian Defense. The variation is a game that can often lead to never before seen positions. Many of the spreads are either a display of a chess board or an idea of moving pieces.
TIMEFRAME: 6 weeks
ROLE: GRAPHIC DESIGNER
INVOLVEMENT: Independent Work
OVERVIEW
THE SOLUTION
In order to create a new perspective of chess, I focused on one word, “tension”. The publication focuses on the importance of the human aspect of the game using imagery that displays thought, action, and reaction.
IDEATION
In order to achieve a thoughtful, conceptual design I needed to work through multiple phases including:
Visual thumbs experimenting with layout, format, color, type, and imagery.
Imagery approaches.
Type and grid studies.
VISUAL THUMBS
IMAGERY APPROACHES
APPROACH 1
APPROACH 2
TYPE STUDIES
Fenice Pro ITC + DejaRip
Nure + Helvetica Neue
Arsenica Variable + Bodoni PT VF
FINAL DESIGN
Back Cover
Front Cover
20in x 20in regulation chess board foldout.
REFLECTION
This project was my first full length independent publication where I was tasked with creating all the imagery, supplying my own copy, and building out a physical format. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent working on this because it allowed me to truly step outside my comfort zone and create something I felt was a unique piece to this portfolio.
This design allowed me to also further practice my typesetting skills. Where the imagery was bold and gritty, the type was technical and precise reflecting the idea and thought of making a single move, or planning out moves in advance in a game of chess.
Chess was not a hobby of mine prior to this work being completed. At the end of the project I gained not only new skills, but a love for the game.