Amplifying Voices in Frankenstein
UTS Honours Project
Date
2023
2023
Type of Work
Layout Design
Print & Publication
Book Design
Layout Design
Print & Publication
Book Design
Amplifying Voices in Frankenstein is a typographic and graphic interpretation of the classic 19th-century novel ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley. This printed publication aims to shift the power dynamics of the three main narrators in the text and amplify the voice of the Creature as the writer of his own story by distinguishing each narrator’s voice in a distinct style in homage to books from the novel’s historical context.
This publication features a handcrafted hardcover and case as well as different paper stock that corresponds to the distinct voice of each narrator thus delivering a unique reading experience to a timeless story speaking to core desires for belonging.
The goal of this 268-page publication is to retell an alternative narrative to the story of Frankenstein through its paratext: its physical printed form, typography, layout, and visual elements that highlights the voice of the Creature and his emotional experiences. By distinguishing the three main narrators in the text, including the Creature, the aim is to realise the Creature as his own protagonist in his story.
There are five sections in total that each tells from the perspective of one of the three narrators who are distinguished by different paper types, typography and layout. Historical books from the 19th century have been the main sources of reference as well as the use of archival images to capture the sense that you are reading ‘Frankenstein’ through the distinct lens of each narrator.
The Creature
The focal point of this project is the Creature himself: a being birthed into the world without any idea of his purpose of existence, subjected to prejudice and villianisation by those who encounter him. Botanical imagery and calligraphic typography are used in reference to medieval manuscripts to showcase him as the most expressive and as the most ‘human’ among the other two narrators. The Creature’s section has been printed on kraft paper.
Victor Frankenstein
There is the eponymous Victor Frankenstein, an ambitious scientist who creates a being with unexpected consequences that spirals out of his control. His perspective is told through the lens of 19th-century scientific journals.
A serif font is chosen to match the classical style of traditional texts from the Victorian Era. However, the slight unevenness and wonky letterforms hint at Victor’s deteriorating mental state that progresses throughout the story with each encounter with the Creature.
Victor’s sections have been printed on recycled cream paper.
Robert Walton
Finally there is Robert Walton who is a youthful explorer who embarks on a voyage to the arctic and encounters an adrift Victor Frankenstein. He tells his story through a series of letters to his dear sister back home in England.
A typewriter font in combination with sketchbook-like illustrations were used to capture the aesthetic of letters from this time period.
All illustrations featured inside the publication are archival images created in the 19th century that are sourced from public domains. The endpages are illustrated digitally.
This project was featured in the UTS Design Honours Showcase.
This project taught me how to set up publication files for print and the importance of being able to communicate with the printer. Being able to talk in person with the printer from UTS Digital Imaging Services in particular in combination with guidance from my mentors enabled the success in realising the publication. Additionally, the advice I had received from the bookbinder at Andersen’s Bindery was another major help in the creation of the book. It is through constant iterations, multiple test prints and test covers, revisiting the printer for advice and the art shop for supplies numerous times that the project is successful.
The trial version of Arizona Serif was used for education purposes and can be found here: https://abcdinamo.com/typefaces/arizona
Special thanks to all the support from my mentors, peers, friends and family.
