Republic of Apartments
IDA (International Design Awards), Silver, Print-Books category
Graphis Competition,
New Talent Awards, Silver Award
Communication Arts,
Design Annual winner
Often called the Republic of Apartments, Korea has over 60% of its population living in one, making them a symbol of modern Korean life. My book explores this phenomenon in six chapters, covering the history and attributes of Korean apartments.
I used raw materials like hardboard, naked binding, and uncoated paper to evoke the rough texture of a concrete building. The grid system of uniform rectangles, inspired by distant views of apartment windows, highlights the repetitive and shared nature of apartment living—where identical spaces are divided and inhabited by many.
I used raw materials like hardboard, naked binding, and uncoated paper to evoke the rough texture of a concrete building. The grid system of uniform rectangles, inspired by distant views of apartment windows, highlights the repetitive and shared nature of apartment living—where identical spaces are divided and inhabited by many.
On the cover, I combined glossy and non-glossy spot UV finishes to create a sense of depth and contrast, symbolizing the interplay between apartment buildings and the spaces between them.
Every title page represents a different household and it shows how residents live. This reinforces the idea of stacking and floor of an apartment.
