MAHABRATA: A BATTLE WITHIN MINDS | Publication & Typeface Design

MAY | 2019

CATEGORY: Type Design, Illustration, Publication Design, Packaging Design

PROJECT TYPE: Graduation Project

INSTITUTE: MIT Institute of Design

MENTOR: Mathew Kurien

NOMINATIONS: Lexus Design Awards 2020

IMAGES SHOT BY: Hinal Vibhakar

THE GRADUATION PROJECT:

What is Mahabharata?

Is it a story of a disputed family for superiority?

Is it Rajneeti, where the throne held importance over blood relations and family?

Is it Kootneeti, where on a battlefield, all rules were broken and there was bloodshed out of sheer vengeance?

Is it Darshan-shastra to be understood?

Is it an illustration of how one must lead their lives?

Is it about one mistake or is it about the many life lessons?

Is it about defining Satya or is it about re-establishing Dharma?

Is it just one story or multiple versions?

Understanding multiple perspectives is important, only then one can differentiate the right from the wrong and see the bigger picture. Those well versed with the MAHABHARATA will know that this interactive illustrated version is just an abbreviation with a creative touch to it. It is the MAHABHARATA in a hundred pages, a hundred chapters and a hundred individual illustrations.

This book is an attempt to understand the story of the MAHABHARATA from multiple point of views, thus making an attempt at understanding the essence of it.

Because it is not just a battle fought on Kurukshetra, but a battle fought within each one's mind Because MAHABHARATA is not just a story, it is an EPIC.

THE DESIGN:

For the identity of this book, a custom display typeface is created. This typeface uses elements and symbols that give it a modern look and feel, at the same time keep the authenticity of the story intact. Eventually developing it into the visual language of the book.

Recited for several Yugas, this interactive retelling of the MAHABHARATA is all about the experience.

The book is designed in a modular way so that the reader understands this book through illustrations and text, both. Each chapter can be read individually as well. It keeps the reader engaged for it is highly interactive and visual heavy. It is designed keeping in mind a message from this epic which comes across at the end of the book.

Briefly speaking about the message, the clearer the perspective, the more things one sees.

One gains a better understanding of the situation as one sees it from a wider angle.

Piece by piece as one reads and assembles the events, one finds how easy it is to understand the EPIC as a whole.