Unsteady Ground

A Visual Narrative on Love, Loss, and Communication

Unsteady Ground is a publication inspired in my personal journey with my father’s decade-long experience with Ataxia, a degenerative neurological condition. This project transforms the complexity of non-verbal communication into an immersive visual narrative.

Through typography, materiality, and layout design, it captures the gradual fading of speech and the evolution of communication beyond words. It's a study in how design conveys emotion, invite empathy, and give shape to invisible human experiences.

Winner | CSM Graduate Award
Finalist | MullenLowe NOVA Awards 2024

Editorial Design
Typography
Layout Design
Printed Matter

Approach

Typographic Manipulation

Distorted Text & Fractured Syllables: Represent slurred speech and the fragmentation of dialogue.
Disrupted Linearity: Pages that force the eye to "struggle" replicate the struggle to understand the voice.

Material Exploration

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Final Chapter:

Off-White soft paper

Off-White soft pa othe weight and complexity of communication without words.

Structural Design

The layout evolves over time, marking the progression of the condition. Pages are bi-monthly timestamped, creating a chronological tension. Typography becomes more fragmented and abstract as time progresses.

Narrative

Personal memories and dialogues are woven into the design, not just as text but as emotional landmarks that anchor the experience in reality.

Accessibility as Design Intention

The book was intentionally designed to be accessible to those with limited hand mobility.

It was crafted to be lightweight and flexible, allowing it to be easily held or placed on a surface.

The lay-flat binding ensures that the pages stay open without needing to be held, creating a smoother, more inclusive reading experience.