Creating Calm Water Color Storm was more than a layout design project—it was about translating the depth, movement, and emotion of Janavi M. Folmsbee’s artwork into a tangible experience. As a designer, my role was to craft a book that didn’t just showcase her work but immersed the reader in her creative world.
From curating visual flow to balancing space and structure, every design choice was intentional, ensuring the pages reflected the dynamic energy of her pieces. The book was developed as a gallery-in-print, offering museums, galleries, and collectors a curated journey through her art and narrative.
Book design is a unique challenge—it’s not just about aesthetics, but storytelling. It requires an understanding of the artist’s perspective, a sensitivity to their work, and a design approach that enhances rather than overshadows. Working with Janavi to bring this collection to life was a rewarding experience, reinforcing my passion for crafting physical pieces that encapsulate an artist’s essence in a way that feels personal, engaging, and lasting.
Janavi M. Folmsbee’s work spans mixed media paintings, sculptures, and large-scale public installations, each piece layered with color, movement, and meaning. Designing the layout for Calm Water Color Storm meant more than just arranging images on a page—it was about capturing the energy of her art and translating it into a format that felt just as immersive as the underwater worlds that inspire her.
Much like a coral reef, this book needed depth, richness, and balance. Every spread was crafted to mirror the vibrancy of her pieces, using scale, negative space, and rhythm to let her work breathe while maintaining a sense of fullness. The result is a publication that doesn’t just showcase her art—it invites the reader to dive in and experience it.
