1000 covers for 1000 books | Poetry book receives unique covers for each copy

Award wining design consultancy Casa Rex has provided a set of hand painted covers for ‘42 Haicais e 7 Ilustrações’ (’42 Haikus and 7 illustrations’), a collection of Haiku poetry in the Portuguese language.

The book, launched by independent publishing house Lote 42, with a limited print run of 1000 copies, was written by its founder João Varella as a result of his personal experimentation in pushing the boundaries of Haiku – at times respecting, at times breaking the strict rules of this art form. These explorative poems have also been interpreted visually through a collaboration with the illustrator FP Rodrigues.

In developing the graphic project of the book, Gustavo Piqueira, the designer at the head of Casa Rex, adds a ‘new layer’ to the reading experience of the book, which creates a different outlook for every cover of its 1000 copies.

The creative and manual process that led to the development of the covers has been captured on video here


Video authorship by Geoge Leoni.

Each cover appeals visually and tactically in it’s own unique way, created using stencils of the numbers 42 and 7, superposed in unique positions, and hand painted using varied acrylic paints. The different combinations allowed for a myriad of outcomes, from legible to more abstract visuals, rendering each of the 1000 covers truly ‘one of a kind’.

“By involving the graphic project in this handmade process, we were able not only to create 1000 different covers for 1000 books, but to reflect the experimental nature of the book, externalising it as the true ‘work in progress’ that it was made to be.” says Gustavo.

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The book is available for purchase now from the Lote 42 bookstore www.lote42.com/br/42haicais/livro.html

Notes to editors:
Casa Rex is a highly acclaimed international design consultancy, credited with over 270 awards, with offices in São Paulo and London. Headed up by Gustavo Piqueira, a multi-cultural team of more than 40 designers develop strategic projects for global consumer brands, original design for editorial, corporate and environmental projects; and cutting-edge experimental design for anything from typefaces to home ware. To know more visit us at: www.casarex.com

Lote 42 is an independent publishing house based in São Paulo www.lojalote42.com.br

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Maria Papaefstathiou

VISUAL DESIGNER since 1996 and blogger since 2010. Living in Athens, Greece. She has been focusing her research on poster design and particularly on social poster design and portrait design. Her main poster project is a series of posters celebrating great personalities of traditional and popular culture in Greece and Jamaica. These include actors, singers, musicians, poets etc. This is an ongoing project. “I believe that design is a powerful tool that we designers can use to spark enthusiasm, change mindsets and bring positive actions to our world and our culture”. FOUNDER AND EDITOR OF GRAPHICART-NEWS.COM BLOG. She carefully curates high-quality designs, illustrations, and art, from all over the world that will teach and provoke other designers. Many consider her blog to be an exceptional educational tool. CO-FOUNDER OF THE INTERNATIONAL REGGAE POSTER CONTEST which was launched on December 2011, partnering, the creative activist Michael Thompson aka Freestylee. (www.reggaepostercontest.com)

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