Visual Interpretation of a Traditional Haiku Poem
This project is a creative exploration that transforms a traditional three-line Japanese haiku poem into a dynamic visual and typographic sequence.
A haiku, with its seventeen syllables distributed across a 5/7/5 syllable count, serves as the foundation for this interpretive journey. The challenge involves selecting a haiku and devising a visual strategy that mirrors the poem's simplicity, intensity, and directness.
The core of the project lies in integrating graphic elements, typography, and imagery to construct a sequence of eight integral images using only black on white paper. These images are meticulously arranged on a flat layout consisting of eight √2 rectangles. This layout, when cut and scored, unfolds into a series of spreads that visually narrate the haiku's essence.
Page Setup for the folded book
Content Layout Specifications
Chosen Haiku
yoru hisokani
mushi wa gekka no
kuri o ugatsu
by Matsuo Bashō
Autumn moonlight—
a worm digs silently
into the chestnut.
translation by Robert Hass
Development of Abstract Graphic Elements
Grid Development
Each page was split into a rectangular grid based on the proportions of the whole document. Patterns, shapes, and angles are constrained to the diagonals of the grid.
Showing Value
Due to the constraint of only being able to use black and white for this exercise, I developed a solution to use a pattern based value scale to communicate value changes.
Final Product
