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This editorial project is part of a self-initiated series about color through history. Red, considered the first color recognized and used by humans opens the collection with a visual and narrative deep dive into its symbolic evolution across cultures and time periods.
The book was fully conceived and developed by me: from concept and research to illustration, layout, and production.
art direction
The visual language of the book is grounded in conceptual storytelling through color.
Each page features:
A unique historical fact or cultural anecdote about red
A custom illustration composed with collage, drawing, and digital elements
A layout designed to balance visual rhythm and typographic hierarchy across spreads
The direction focused on creating a cohesive visual narrative, where the intensity and emotional charge of red drives both form and content.
ROJO is the first volume of a planned editorial series, each book dedicated to a different color and its historical symbolism. The creative challenge lies in making each volume visually distinct, while preserving a unified system and voice across the collection.
design system
Format
The book was designed in a vertical 17×21 cm format to enhance readability and page flow. This proportion allows for comfortable two-page spreads where text and illustration can be appreciated simultaneously. Each section opens on a double-page spread, introducing a unique fact and visual composition.
Print layout optimization
To maximize print efficiency, 4 sheets of 70×100 cm opaline paper were used for the interior, yielding 64 pages with approximately 95% material usage. The covers were printed on the same sheet size, producing six complete jackets while considering bleed, trim, and spine margins.
Grid system
An 18-point line height was used as the base for a modular grid, invisible to readers but essential for structure. The layout defined internal and external margins that balance text and illustration. Three vertical alignments allowed typographic blocks to shift dynamically across spreads.
Typography
The project used Gandhi typefaces in Sans and Serif versions, designed by Cristóbal Henestrosa. This enabled clear visual hierarchy and flexibility within paragraphs. Running text was set in Gandhi Sans Regular 12/18 pt, with emphasized phrases in four alternating paragraph styles for rhythm and hierarchy.
Color
Each book in the series is designed using the color it explores. For this volume, red (Pantone 485) was selected as the historical starting point of color symbolism. Black ink was used for text and 40% tone for illustration shadows. This color system sets a consistent tone for future volumes.
Illustration style
All illustrations were created using silhouette-style vector shapes based on historical references. Shapes were traced and placed on red backgrounds with shadows in black at 40%, generating visual depth. Principles like figure-ground, closure, and proximity guided each composition.
Creative process
Research & ideation: Gathering historical references and sketching concept options.
Vector illustration: Tracing selected elements digitally.
Masking & shading: Applying vector masks and tonal shadows to enhance dimension.
Final layout: Composing each spread by aligning illustrations, text, and grid structure.
This project was a deeply rewarding creative and editorial journey. It ignited my interest in developing a full series titled What Colors Tell Us, where each book would explore the cultural, historical, and symbolic relevance of a different color. I'm excited to continue expanding this collection in the future.
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