Book re-design for photographer Jimmy Nelson's best-selling coffee table book "Before They Pass Away."
The Jimmy Nelson Studio, led by the artist Jimmy Nelson, is renowned for its captivating visual storytelling, particularly in documenting and celebrating indigenous cultures through large-scale photography books and exhibitions.
The original version of "Before They Pass Away" needed a redesign to align with the studio's cohesive series format established with "Homage to Humanity," and to enhance its presentation and reader engagement.
As the Editorial Art Director of this project, I led the redesign of "Before They Pass Away." This involved conceptualizing the visual direction, layout design, and graphic elements while curating and integrating 725 images from over 20 indigenous communities into a 400-page coffee-table book. I ensured the content was seamlessly integrated into our studio's established series format. Additionally, I managed print production, working closely with our Italian printing partner to maintain high quality. We also integrated the Jimmy Nelson app—previously developed for "Homage to Humanity"—into this book. The app enriches the reader's experience, allowing users to scan images to access additional layers of content such as behind the scenes videos. In 2019 the Jimmy Nelson app was awarded a Webby Award in the category of Apps and Software, Art & Experimental.
The redesign and app integration aimed to enhance the book's presentation, offering a more immersive and engaging experience for readers. The added app functionality enhances interaction with the content, bringing the cultural stories and visuals to life, and reflecting the innovative spirit of the Jimmy Nelson Studio.
Credits
Artist: Jimmy Nelson
Art Direction & Curation : Larissa Rosvaenge
Design: Larissa Rosvaenge // Yvy Bakker
Illustrations: Martin Scheerpenzel
Project Coordinator: Coco Box
Film Footage: Bram Vis // Stephanie van der Wiel
Lead Digital Projects & Film Editing: Bob van Helden
PR: Marit de Hoog
Post-production: Edwin Veer // André Beuving
Text Editor: Bambi Bogert
APP Development: FONK