Language : Spectrum
Multi-language
Neuroplasticity
Cognition
What is the essence of language? How does the transformation of the language we use influence our cognition and behavior? Language: Spectrum delves into the profound and nuanced effects of language embedded within the fabric of daily life and culture. Organized into chapters spanning from Departure to Arrival, the book invites readers on an intellectual journey to critically examine and reflect on the conceptual significance and multifaceted role of language.
Intro
In the introduction, I visualized Heidegger’s idea that “Language is the house of being” through text. I intended for this opening scene to not only set the direction of the book but also serve as an invitation for readers to step into the subject itself.
Chapters
The word spectrum, which also appears in the title of the book, refers both to the diverse ways language is used across different cultures and to the color spectrum used as a metaphor to express this theme. Accordingly, the design allows the colors to shift from chapter to chapter, reflecting the progression of the narrative.
Text & Image
Although the book is primarily text-driven and focused on its content, I wanted the design to feel approachable rather than heavy or overly academic. To achieve this, I selected key sentences that capture the essence of each chapter and created visualized pages, placing them throughout the text to offer moments of visual pause and engagement.
Reading Path
This chapter visually explores the different reading directions found across various countries. Whether a language is read from left to right, right to left, top to bottom, or bottom to top determines the orientation of the text within the book, and the layout shifts accordingly.
Language/Artist: Christine Sun Kim
Because the book’s overall design operates through the visualization of text, I expanded this approach by introducing artists whose practices engage with language as an artistic medium. These chapters present interviews and selected works by Christine Sun Kim and Martin Wong, two artists who primarily communicate through sign language.
Language/Artist: Martin Wong