06
toyin ojih odutola
2022
student project
illustrations by Toyin Ojih Odutola
intro
Toyin Ojih Odutola, a Nigerian visual artist based in New York, explores the art of storytelling with multimedia drawings. She challenges society's traditional social and political values in her narratives. I was assigned to design a book promoting her recent exhibition, "A Countervailing Theory." To countervail means to counter the effect of an opposing force with equal force. Inspired by this theory, Toyin created a captivating story where tension arises between the dominant class of Amazonian women (Eshu) and subservient class of humanoid men (Koba).
approach
The book was designed to fit into her narrative. The typeface was carefully chosen as its organic shapes reflect the intricate and atmospheric nature of her work. Additional design choices, such as the type treatment, contrasting color palette, half slipcase, and meticulous details in the page layout, effectively evoke the tension that exists between the two classes.
monida p. bou