Project Brief: Pick a chapter from a banned book and redesign it in a mysterious way.
The Da Vini Code Rational
Chapter 58 is a major turning point in the book "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown. This chapter has been the most conspiracy around the world, mostly banned by the catholic church in various countries such as Vatican, Lebanon, and India. The setting of the story for this chapter is based on a Teabing's (Male actor) Office. In Teabing’s study, the scholars show Sophie (Female actor) a representation of Mary Magdalene in The Last Supper. By decoding the hidden truths about The Last Supper Painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. Perhaps, for that reasons; the book is named "The Da Vinci Code" to decode the hidden code of Holy Grail. The painting also contains several representations of chalices and the letter M. Which relate to Mary Magdalene. The conclusion of the chapter brings the truth about Jesus and Mary had a child or children, they tell her.
My design is aimed at three elements from the chapter. Jesus and Mary's sitting together brings "unquestionable outline of an enormous, flawlessly formed letter M". The color element of red and blue " Jesus wore a red robe and blue cloak; Mary Magdalene wore a blue robe and red cloak. (yin and yang)". And the last element is the unity of the family of Jesus. The royal blood of Jesus flows still today as the chapter describes.
Since the chapter is hidden with messages about The Holy Grail. My design process and research led me to binary codes. A binary code represents text or computer processor instructions using the binary number system's two-binary digits, 0 and 1. These codes can give a hidden encrypt messages to the reader. In the same way, the use of binary code in this editorial design is to convey a message of hidden words to decode by the readers with supplied decode words for assistance. The two numbers 1 & 0 have another significant meaning, 1 represents the male reproductive organ which also represents Jesus (color red) and 0 represents the female reproductive organ which also represents Mary (color blue). By combining them two typographic elements together brings the message of "unity" of a marriage of Jesus and Mary (color violet because red & blue makes violet).
The use of colors red and blue throughout the design is to relate the presence of unity of Jesus and Mary. Giving a lot of space for the reader to read the text. However, it gives a space to breathe for the reader. In the chapter, a noted British Grail historian, Sir Leigh Teabing, tells them the actual Holy Grail. In that way, I decided to use Slab Serif (stymie 10/16pt) because Slab serif officially born in Britain.
As you open the book, a small layout is being attached to the main body of the layout which contains a-z alphabets with the codes on each letter. Next, you see an open spread with a lot of binary numbers with reveals the full story of the book with climax; for an activity for the reader to decode the code by using the alphabets code. The spreads are narrated by codes running throughout the pages to keep the sense of theme line of hiddenness through codes. At the end of the book, there are two mini blank white pages. For readers to write notes or decoded words to keep as a record. And at the end number 1 & 0 (red & blue) combines gives (violet 0) as a unity of Jesus and Mary.
