Foreningen for Boghaandværk/Danish Book Crafts Society
exhibition design, visual identity, editorial
2024
Since 1934 the association Foreningen for Boghaandværk (Danish Book Crafts Society), has nominated books to compete for the honor of being named Best Annual Book Work. The purpose of the selection is to raise awareness of the design and technical qualities of Danish-produced books, as well as to honor the people making them. For the past decade or so, various designers are chosen to create the visual identity for the event and exhibition, and in 2024 stanza were selected.
We chose to place the photography of the nominated books at the centre of the visual identity, making the catalogue quite large in page count and more “book-like” as an object.
Books are essentially physical entities. They contain a spine, front, back and contents. A sea of considerations and choices are to be made within these few individual elements. The selected books in the Annual Best Book Works 2024 reflects a diversity through their binding, colours, materials etc. Just as books are (mostly) intended to be used, read, closed and opened, the materiality of the books must felt by hands holding them.
—stanza, ‘Notes on the Visual Identity,’ in Årets Bedste Bogarbejde/The Annual Best Book Design 2024, 2024, p. 264.
Flipping through old catalogs and invitations of Danish Book Crafts Society, one will consistently notice a small floral emblem drawn by Hans Tegner in 1888. Two pansies are synchronously balancing on top of three leaves in symmetrical posture, their stems meander across on another, completing a playful and curious little unit.
—stanza, ‘Notes on the Visual Identity,’ in Årets Bedste Bogarbejde/The Annual Best Book Design 2024, 2024, p. 264.
The book displays were designed and constructed by designer Mona Mayer from salvaged Dinesen Douglas wood.