Šárka Pelikánová and Jakub Janeba, a creative couple who run the Hyjé atelier in Vysočina (Czech Republic), has won the coveted Pergraphica illustrated book competition with their title Dějiny hudby (in eng: History of Music). Seventeen different book projects were submitted for the competition, which was realized in collaboration with Mondi and The Centre for Information on Literature (LIC) and that’s only partaking criteria was that the projects submitted were illustrated books. Each submitted project consisted of a group of two, while the competition jury was comprised of specialists from The National Center for Design, The Slovak National Gallery, The Association of Illustrators in Slovakia, as well as the editor of Illustrated Children‘s magazine “Slniečko” that has a strong tradition in Slovakia. The jury decided on the winner based on the theme of the book, the illustration process, the innovation, and complexity of the project – rewarding Šárka Pelikánová and Jakub Janeba with the price money of €2.000, and paper sponsoring by Pergraphica White Design, to produce the book.
The idea for the concept of the book came to be when the Šárka and Jakub were searching a similar book – but could not find one
The winning duo, Šárka who is an artist-painter, teacher, and gallerist, and Jakub, who’s a graphic designer and illustrator, together are devoted to book design and ceramics creation under the brand “Hyjé atelier”. The origin of the idea for their book became to be two years ago, they were looking for a book about the history of music that would carry the reader demonstratively and easily through this subject. “None met our expectations, and this was the impulse to immerge into the creative process. We have been working on the book concept for 2 years and it has become our heart matter”.
None met our expectations, and this was the impulse to immerge into the creative process. We have been working on the book concept for 2 years and it has become our heart matter.
The book Dějiny hudby (in eng: History of Music) discusses the European history of classical music through 33 portraits of famous composers representative for a certain epoch. With each chapter having its own color. The book is richly illustrated with structured information about the epoch, art style, music, musical instruments, composers as well as their life stories supplemented with poems. The reader can also find suggestions of three art pieces for listening and thus intensify the experience. “We plan to continue with a 2nd volume with the title Popular – the concept will be the same, but with music from the 19th century until the present will be discussed and none of the legends such as Edith Piaf, Louis Armstrong, Bob Marley, or Michael Jackson won´t be omitted”, the couple writes.
When choosing the suitable PERGRAPHICA® papers the designers had to think of the color tones and other characteristics that will either enhance or subdue the book’s illustrations
“Since the book is full of colored illustrations and portrait paintings of musicians, we decided to use PERGRAPHICA® Classic Rough 120 gsm. We were also impressed by the natural shade of PERGRAPHICA®, yet its yellow-tinted shade would change the backdrop of the illustrations in the book which we wanted to avoid”, Šárka and Jakub explains.
We expect a great printing result since the extraordinary look and feel of the PERGRAPHICA® paper is evident.
In the beginning, Šárka and Jakub didn’t necessarily have a clear idea of how the book will end up looking. But many prototypes were made, and they consulted with other graphic designers and book producers about different printing technologies. “Originally, we designed a Swiss binding with a double front cover but at the end, the classic style won – a hardcover with an embossed book title.” The book will be printed in Brno, Czech Republic using offset printing technology on PERGRAPHICA® Classic Rough – paper exclusively available at Europapier Group.
You can follow the process and making-off the book on Instagram.
