Project Overview
“Great British Library Collection Fantasy Childhood Dreams Collection Cards” is a cultural and creative collection inspired by an abundance of children's literature collected in the British Library. It features over 100 original images from classic children's books, including iconic characters like Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Little Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella. This collection delves into the resources in library that spans over a century, and includes images that are being made publicly available for the first time, officially authorized by the British Library.
Project Commissioner
Shanghai ZhenYouQu Cultural Creative Co., LTD
Project Creator
Team
Shou Xiaoxin,Xu Jing,Chu Jiahui,Jiang Shilin,Zhang Hongwei
Project Brief
“Great British Library Collection Fantasy Childhood Dreams Collection Cards” consists of 216 cards across 12 categories, all inspired by the rich historical and literary value of the children's literature collection. The illustrations and covers of classic children's books have become enduring cultural symbols and cherished memories for generations. Through this co-branding program, the most iconic and classic motifs from these collections are carefully selected and reinterpreted through unique card designs, without compromising the original literary and artistic senses. Each card is a testament to the rich and unique artistry and storytelling. The complete packaging and innovative design elevate the product beyond its individual value, making it an instrument that embodies intense literary, artistic, and emotional values.
Project Innovation/Need
The cards series is inspired by the collection of the most valuable editions of classic children's literature in the British Library, including The New Wizard of Oz published in 1906. Regarded as the most iconic and distinctive edition, it gives many individuals an introduction to the story. The design team prudently handpicked the most iconic illustrations from each classic book and transformed them into collectible cards. This innovative approach reinterprets the classic visuals and narratives, allowing individuals to preserve them in a new and durable manner. This distinctiveness holds significance not only for card enthusiasts and players but also for those keen on literature and art.
Design Challenge
Various types of cards are made using unique materials and display techniques. For instance, five TSR (with book stamps) cards are made from a special paper, finished with cold gilding and a light-storing self-luminous ink, to produce a night glowing effect when exposed to light, resulting in a shimmering glow in the darkness. FSR (Premium Fantasy) cards are crafted from high-density transparent PET material, cold gilding, and transparent laser techniques to achieve a distinct visual impact. In contrast, SR (Collection) cards are crafted from laser and nano UV processes. The main challenge for the team was how to revolutionize the content of the cards while keeping the original look of the British Library's collection. Modern material technology is used to accurately restore the texture of the images as they are in the books so that the depth of history and the fantasy of fairy tales are reconciled in the images. While retaining original classic images, the team meticulously recreated some of the contents to reveal the complete story sense, and seamlessly integrated with the card format.
Effectiveness
The cards come in an outer packaging design that resembles a book-shaped storage box made of tin plate. Apart from functioning as a dedicated storage space for cards, its distinctive book-shaped form and sturdy materials make it suitable for use as a decorative home accessory when not in use, or as a storage solution for other small items. This versatility not only extends the service life but also embodies the design concept of blending environmental protection with usefulness. Each pack contains 50 cards, with 10 packs in total, and is packaged in eco-friendly paper material to reduce the adverse impact on the environment.
Graphic Design - Publication
This award celebrates creative and innovative design in the traditional or digital visual representation of ideas and messages. Consideration given to clarity of communication and the matching of information style to audience.
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