Shaped in Silence
Industry
Editorial
Client
Academic
Service
Publication Design
Date
2025
A publication design project that explores bookmaking as a medium for visual storytelling. The project resulted in a 34-page non-fiction book that documents the history, craft, and cultural significance of Kumortuli and its artisans—the driving force behind Bengal’s iconic Durga Puja.
Problem Statement
The artisan community of Kumortuli — central to Bengal’s UNESCO -recognized Durga Puja—remains largely unseen beyond the festival spectacle. There is a lack of accessible, well-designed resources that document their history, livelihood, craftsmanship, and cultural significance for students and art, craft, and culture enthusiasts.
Solution
A narrative-driven non-fiction publication that uses layout, imagery, and materiality as storytelling tools. The book translates research and lived stories into an immersive, visually engaging format that balances structure with expressive design.
Design Process
The design process began with extensive research, followed by ideation through mind mapping and content structuring. I organized the book into clear sections—origin, community & livelihood, process & materials, and cultural significance—to establish narrative flow. A detailed moodboard guided decisions around watercolor illustrations, evolving photography styles, serif typography, and an earthy color palette inspired by clay.
Final Deliverable
A 34-page (17-spread) non-fiction book with a custom cover, combining photography, watercolor illustrations, refined typography, and textured materials to create a tactile, immersive reading experience rooted in the story of Kumortuli and its artisans.