Brooklyn Academy of Music Publication Design

A printed publication rests on a weathered concrete ledge in bright natural light with translucent glass architectural elements visible behind, creating a composition that moves from the tactile materiality of the foreground book through the rough stone support to the luminous atmospheric background. The publication itself is positioned at a gentle diagonal angle, leaning slightly back against the vertical glass surface, showing primarily its front cover with the spine and a portion of the back cover also visible to the right side. The cover displays large bold letterforms spelling an acronym in what appears to be a substantial geometric sans-serif typeface, but these letters are treated with a striking visual effect where vertical stripes in bright saturated yellow alternate with black stripes, creating the impression of dimensional corrugation, as though the letters were constructed from accordion-folded material or parallel vertical ribs that catch light differently depending on angle. This yellow reads as intensely warm and luminous, like the color of ripe lemons or golden summer sunlight, advancing visually from the page with energetic presence, while the black stripes create intervals of depth and structure, defining the edges and internal architecture of each letterform. The rest of the front cover remains clean white, providing breathing room and focusing attention entirely on the striped acronym, with only small text below in simple black indicating publication date and subtitle information. The spine continues this yellow and black vertical striping pattern across its entire surface, transforming the edge into a vibrant linear element, while the visible portion of the back cover similarly carries the striping treatment, suggesting the pattern wraps continuously around the publication's exterior. The concrete ledge supporting this printed object shows authentic weathering and age, with subtle color variations from cooler grays to slightly warmer putty and taupe tones, small surface irregularities, and worn edges that feel rough and porous like actual stone, cool to imagine touching. Shadows cast by the publication onto the concrete are gentle and soft-edged, indicating diffused daylight rather than harsh directional illumination, creating a sense of even, natural illumination characteristic of bright overcast conditions or indirect window light. Behind and above the publication, large glass panels create architectural background, their surfaces reading as translucent rather than transparent, showing as fields of cool celadon green and soft aqua blue, slightly out of focus and suggesting the quality of light filtering through structural glazing or frosted architectural glass. These glass surfaces appear smooth and reflective, catching subtle shifts in ambient light, feeling cool like polished surfaces in shade. The overall environment suggests a contemporary institutional or cultural building with clean modernist architectural language. The viewing angle positions you looking down at the publication from a moderate elevation, as though standing and looking at an object placed on a waist-height ledge, creating an accessible, natural viewing relationship. The bright even illumination and high contrast between elements creates clarity throughout, allowing you to perceive the printed surface's crispness, the concrete's weathered texture, and the glass's smooth luminosity simultaneously, building a complete spatial understanding from foreground object through middle-ground support to background architectural context.

This concept design for BAM’s New Wave event captures the dynamic energy of theater through die-cut typography and stage-inspired lighting patterns. Drawing from the movement of drapes and the interplay of light and shadow, the design creates a layered, immersive experience. Each chapter features distinct patterns blended with imagery, forming a cohesive visual narrative that reflects the event’s diverse themes while maintaining a unified identity.