My final project is a linocut publication inspired by the traditional Chinese zodiac story. The book tells the myth of how the twelve animals were chosen and ordered through a race held by the Jade Emperor.
Instead of creating a standard illustration book, I chose to develop the project through linocut printmaking. This process allowed me to explore a more handmade, textured and traditional visual language, which connects well with the mythological and cultural theme of the story. Each image was first drawn by hand, transferred onto lino blocks, carved, printed, scanned, and then refined into a final book layout.
Through this project, I wanted to combine Chinese cultural storytelling with contemporary publication design. The rough marks, carved lines and strong contrast of linocut helped create a sense of history, movement and character within the narrative. This project also became a personal challenge for me, as it pushed me to work with a slower, more physical making process and to think more deeply about the relationship between craft, storytelling and visual communication.
BA (Hons) Visual Communication 
Tyler Thorne | Graphic Design
