The best Australian stories 2017 | Barren ground written by Verity Borthwick
Project Outcomes:
Publication
Identity
Packaging
Illustration
Australian publisher, Black Inc publishes each year, a collection of short stories by contemporary Australian authors. This self-contained package of items is a small literary experience highlighting Barren Ground, a story written by Verity Borthwick featured in the collection.
The mini publication highlights the themes of detachment, changing frequently in weights and transparencies, moving between illustrations of topographic maps and individual people. It was also important not to shy away from the harsh realities this story depicted, rough edges and vulgar language are an integral part of the setting.
Prototyping
The package contained four items:
A booklet with the Barren Ground story, utilizing topographic maps and illustrations on transparent pages.
A slip containing information about the author of the story and the editor of the larger publication.
A bumper sticker with a pull quote
A belly band with a pull quote from the story to hold together the collection
The package itself featured a map of a segment of the Australian outback on the front and the names of the other stories and authors contained in the larger publication, printed on a transparent envelope.
