CLIENT
The Jungle Book
TYPE
Academic Project: Editorial
YEAR
2026
BRIEF
CONCEPT
The concept combines an Indian context with nature and symbolic storytelling. The animals and characters were treated not simply as illustrations, but as representations of different instincts, values and ideas within the stories. The aim was to create a nostalgic and immersive book where the visuals support the meaning of the stories without explaining everything literally.
INSPRIATION
The strong connection between The Jungle Book and India became an important starting point. The moodboard explored Indian visual references, nature, animals, textures, traditional influences and editorial books. The direction moved towards a subtle and controlled visual language rather than a highly detailed or colourful children's-book treatment. This helped position the book as a premium coffee table object while still retaining the atmosphere of the original stories.
SKETCHES
Initial explorations focused on how animals and story elements could be represented symbolically. Different compositions, illustration approaches and visual relationships between text and image were explored. The sketches helped establish which elements needed to be visually prominent and which could remain subtle, allowing the reader to discover meaning through the pages.
LAYOUT DRAFTS
The selected layouts were developed digitally to test typography, illustration placement, negative space and hierarchy. Playfair Display was used for headings and Book Antiqua for body text, creating a classic editorial combination while maintaining readability across longer sections. Multiple layouts were explored to find the right balance between text, illustrations and empty space.
FINAL LAYOUT
The final book combines symbolic illustrations, controlled editorial layouts and classic typography. The visual system allows each chapter to have its own identity while maintaining consistency throughout the book. The final direction intentionally avoids overwhelming the reader, creating a calm reading experience where the story and visuals can exist together.