The collaboration with HELVETAS on this book aimed to capture and celebrate the non-mainstream cultural diversity of Bhutan. Working alongside Swiss photographer and designer Markus Wild, as well as co-author Kunzang Dorji, we embarked on a journey to curate a captivating visual narrative that would showcase the richness of Bhutanese culture. The book features an impressive collection of photographs, all captured by Markus, showcasing the intricate details and unique aspects of the country’s cultural heritage.
A key aspect of the book’s design was to strike a perfect balance between photo-driven and body-driven layouts. We wanted to ensure that the readers would not feel overwhelmed by an abundance of images or an overload of textual content. By thoughtfully blending photographs with well-crafted textual sections, we created a harmonious and immersive reading experience that would engage and inform our audience.
To further enhance the book’s structure and readability, we employed double-paged spreads throughout the book. These visually striking spreads serve as markers, announcing the start of a new chapter, and provide a moment of visual pause and reflection for the readers. They also allow the readers to immerse themselves in the imagery and connect with the essence of each chapter before delving into the accompanying text.