Portfolio

Book Design

Project Title

Blame Me on Apartheid. 

Brief Overview or Introduction

Summary: Blame Me on Apartheid is a non-fiction book that proposes townships as a byproduct of apartheid. Though apartheid has ended, its legacy persists in South Africa. The cover design illustrates this division.

Project goals: Design a Book Launch Package, including: 

  • Interior typesetting and formatting
  • Editorial illustrations for the chapter openers
  • A publishing imprint logo
  • Social media book advertisements
  • A book launch poster.

Client: Radio presenter and author Thamsanqa Malinga. 

Problem: Besides addressing the issue of townships, the book seeks to circumvent the bureaucracy of traditional publishing and convey an essential message to the public cost-effectively.

Role

Responsibilities: My role as the Designer involved reading the manuscript and designing a book in line with its content, setting the visual tone for the author’s identity.

Process & Development:

Research: The initial phase involved examining apartheid-era South African documentary photos and liberation posters to understand typographic and image styles. I also reviewed the aesthetics of Pan-African literature covers.

Conceptualisation: The book cover’s concept sketches drew inspiration primarily from the manuscript. Typically, I peruse the author’s manuscript and accompanying literature analysis.

Iterations: The first iteration showcased a cover crafted from a cardboard box and charcoal.

Prototypes: The primary prototype was inspired by Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire (1968). It had two distinct sections: one representing the oppressed (depicting the disadvantages faced by them) and another symbolising the colonial oppressor, portrayed in a polished style.

Final Solution/Design: The final design drew inspiration from the defacement of the Cecil Rhodes statue during the Rhodes Must Fall protest. The cover concept reflected a divide between two contrasting narratives. The positioning of the narratives was later inverted, echoing the book’s predominant decolonial voice, and the cover was ready for digital transformation.

Tools & Technologies Used: An array of tools from physical to digital, including paper notebooks, pencils, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and more.

Results & Impact: The author utilised the book ads for marketing on the book’s social media page and used the book cover during television interviews on channels like eNCA and SABC.

Testimonials or Client Feedback: The author praised the quality of the design, noting that many were surprised it was self-published. His book received accolades and is now on its third print run.

Challenges & Learnings: Balancing time spent on the project within the budget was challenging. Given the potentially sensitive nature of the book’s subject, precautions were taken through an indemnification clause in the contract. This project underscored the need for a deeper understanding of South African history and global colonialism.

Call to Action:
Order a book launch package: info@riaanwilmans.co.za
Purchase a paperback copy of this book: thamimalinga@gmail.com

Additional Materials:
View the Imprint’s Facebook page: Masefako Books.
Watch interviews about the book on: eNCA, eNCA, SABC.

Contact

Portfolio

Book Design

Project Title Blame Me on Apartheid.  Brief Overview or Introduction Summary: Blame Me on Apartheid is a non-fiction book that proposes townships as a byproduct of apartheid. Though apartheid has ended, its legacy persists in South Africa. The cover design illustrates this division. Project goals: Design a Book Launch Package, including: 
  • Interior typesetting and formatting
  • Editorial illustrations for the chapter openers
  • A publishing imprint logo
  • Social media book advertisements
  • A book launch poster.
Client: Radio presenter and author Thamsanqa Malinga.  Problem: Besides addressing the issue of townships, the book seeks to circumvent the bureaucracy of traditional publishing and convey an essential message to the public cost-effectively. Role Responsibilities: My role as the Designer involved reading the manuscript and designing a book in line with its content, setting the visual tone for the author’s identity. Process & Development: Research: The initial phase involved examining apartheid-era South African documentary photos and liberation posters to understand typographic and image styles. I also reviewed the aesthetics of Pan-African literature covers. Conceptualisation: The book cover’s concept sketches drew inspiration primarily from the manuscript. Typically, I peruse the author’s manuscript and accompanying literature analysis. Iterations: The first iteration showcased a cover crafted from a cardboard box and charcoal. Prototypes: The primary prototype was inspired by Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire (1968). It had two distinct sections: one representing the oppressed (depicting the disadvantages faced by them) and another symbolising the colonial oppressor, portrayed in a polished style. Final Solution/Design: The final design drew inspiration from the defacement of the Cecil Rhodes statue during the Rhodes Must Fall protest. The cover concept reflected a divide between two contrasting narratives. The positioning of the narratives was later inverted, echoing the book’s predominant decolonial voice, and the cover was ready for digital transformation. Tools & Technologies Used: An array of tools from physical to digital, including paper notebooks, pencils, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and more. Results & Impact: The author utilised the book ads for marketing on the book’s social media page and used the book cover during television interviews on channels like eNCA and SABC. Testimonials or Client Feedback: The author praised the quality of the design, noting that many were surprised it was self-published. His book received accolades and is now on its third print run.

Challenges & Learnings: Balancing time spent on the project within the budget was challenging. Given the potentially sensitive nature of the book’s subject, precautions were taken through an indemnification clause in the contract. This project underscored the need for a deeper understanding of South African history and global colonialism.

Call to Action: Order a book launch package: info@riaanwilmans.co.za Purchase a paperback copy of this book: thamimalinga@gmail.com Additional Materials: View the Imprint’s Facebook page: Masefako Books. Watch interviews about the book on: eNCA, eNCA, SABC.
Contact

Portfolio

Book Design

Project Title Blame Me on Apartheid.  Brief Overview or Introduction Summary: Blame Me on Apartheid is a non-fiction book that proposes townships as a byproduct of apartheid. Though apartheid has ended, its legacy persists in South Africa. The cover design illustrates this division. Project goals: Design a Book Launch Package, including: 
  • Interior typesetting and formatting
  • Editorial illustrations for the chapter openers
  • A publishing imprint logo
  • Social media book advertisements
  • A book launch poster.
Client: Radio presenter and author Thamsanqa Malinga.  Problem: Besides addressing the issue of townships, the book seeks to circumvent the bureaucracy of traditional publishing and convey an essential message to the public cost-effectively. Role Responsibilities: My role as the Designer involved reading the manuscript and designing a book in line with its content, setting the visual tone for the author’s identity. Process & Development: Research: The initial phase involved examining apartheid-era South African documentary photos and liberation posters to understand typographic and image styles. I also reviewed the aesthetics of Pan-African literature covers. Conceptualisation: The book cover’s concept sketches drew inspiration primarily from the manuscript. Typically, I peruse the author’s manuscript and accompanying literature analysis. Iterations: The first iteration showcased a cover crafted from a cardboard box and charcoal. Prototypes: The primary prototype was inspired by Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire (1968). It had two distinct sections: one representing the oppressed (depicting the disadvantages faced by them) and another symbolising the colonial oppressor, portrayed in a polished style. Final Solution/Design: The final design drew inspiration from the defacement of the Cecil Rhodes statue during the Rhodes Must Fall protest. The cover concept reflected a divide between two contrasting narratives. The positioning of the narratives was later inverted, echoing the book’s predominant decolonial voice, and the cover was ready for digital transformation. Tools & Technologies Used: An array of tools from physical to digital, including paper notebooks, pencils, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and more. Results & Impact: The author utilised the book ads for marketing on the book’s social media page and used the book cover during television interviews on channels like eNCA and SABC. Testimonials or Client Feedback: The author praised the quality of the design, noting that many were surprised it was self-published. His book received accolades and is now on its third print run.

Challenges & Learnings: Balancing time spent on the project within the budget was challenging. Given the potentially sensitive nature of the book’s subject, precautions were taken through an indemnification clause in the contract. This project underscored the need for a deeper understanding of South African history and global colonialism.

Call to Action Order a book launch package: info@riaanwilmans.co.za Purchase a paperback copy of this book: thamimalinga@gmail.com Additional Materials View the Imprint’s Facebook page: Masefako Books. Watch interviews about the book on: eNCA, eNCA, SABC.
Contact