DEAR QUENTIN
Special Edition Book for Quentin Blake on his 90th Birthday.
I lead the design and project management of a special limited edition book for the Roald Dahl Story Company. Dear Quentin was primarily made as a gift to Sir Quentin Blake to celebrate his 90th birthday, with additional copies gifted to key contacts of the RDSC, from partners, to stakeholders and esteemed Hollywood directors and actors.
A sentimental curation of art and friendship, the book catalogues ninety of Roald Dahl’s characters that Quentin has brought to life over the last four decades. Told through a host of different materials that relate to Quentin’s illustration practice, it acts both like an unearthed sketchbook and an archival document.
Video created by RDSC and We Are Studio, showcasing Dear Quentin for the Roald Dahl Instagram page.
"all you do is to look
at a page in this book
because that’s where
we always will be".
storytelling: concept and materials
Storytelling was key, from character choice to typography. The piece had to be truly unique to Roald Dahl’s relationship with Quentin Blake. Hundreds of artworks were carefully considered for expression, narrative and personality, and the Roald Dahl bespoke typeface was used exclusively alongside Quentin’s artwork.
Every detail was designed through the lens of Quentin’s own practice. Inspired by his sketchbook, four distinct paper stocks showcase ninety colour and greyscale watercolours in homage to their printed forms. Kraft-style paper is used for the section dividers, cut in half to reveal the next page, and showing the evolving process of the stories.
Translucent paper marries words and image, with the accent of watercolour paper revealing the full colour hero artwork. A zero waste paper made from recycled coffee cups (G F Smith Extract) imitates cartridge paper to showcase illustrations in greyscale, the form that they take within the core published books. Carmine cloth is used to cover the book, adding a personal touch as Quentin’s favourite colour.
COLLABORATORS & CREATORS
ROALD DAHL STORY COMPANY. Brief & stories.
QUENTIN BLAKE. Illustrations.
GAVIN MARTIN COLOURNET LTD. Production.
OLIVE AND REID STUDIO. Calligraphy.
WE ARE STUDIO. Photography.
STEPHANIE GRIGGS. Creative Director.
NAT BULLARD & JULI HAAS. Design Support.
LOUISE NEWMAN. Proofreader.
FERNANDO SALDANHA. Artworker.