Showcasing a Design Collaboration
”Fear & Dreams” by Photographer Arteh Odjidja
Introduction
As a designer, I've always been passionate about projects that tell a compelling story through visuals and design. Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to work with Arteh Odjidja, an award-winning photographer and educator specializing in portraiture and fine art photography. Together, we embarked on a journey to create a printed hardcover book that not only showcases Arteh’s stunning photography but also brings to light the poignant stories of migrants and refugees.
About Arteh Odjidja
Arteh Odjidja is renowned for his powerful portraiture and fine art photography. His work has garnered accolades and recognition across the UK and the US, where he has exhibited and spoken extensively. Arteh’s photography is more than just images; it is a medium through which he tells deeply human stories, challenging societal narratives and inspiring change.
Project Genesis
The inspiration for this project began in Moscow, Russia, in 2012, where Arteh met Abdulay Vilhette De Sousa, a young African migrant studying medicine. Abdulay’s story of resilience and defiance in the face of racial abuse deeply resonated with Arteh. This encounter highlighted the human stories often overshadowed by the media's portrayal of migrants and refugees. Determined to balance this narrative, Arteh decided to create a project focusing on individual, humanising stories through his photography.
Project Vision and Scope
Arteh's motivation for this project was to humanize the migrant and refugee experience by showcasing personal stories that counteract the often reductive narratives perpetuated by the media. The project aimed to balance these narratives by focusing on the individual experiences of migrants and refugees, highlighting their strength, resilience, and humanity.
Design Process
The design process for the hardcover book was a collaborative effort that spanned several months. Initially, Arteh and I discussed the vision and conceptualised how best to present the interviews and photographs. We aimed to create a design that was both visually appealing and respectful of the powerful stories being told.
Key design elements included
Layout and Typography
We chose a clean, modern layout with a serif font to enhance readability and add a classic touch.
Photographic Presentation
Each photograph was given ample space to stand out, accompanied by minimalistic captions that added context without overshadowing the images.
Color Scheme
A color palette with subtle yellow accents was selected to maintain focus on the photographs and narratives, ensuring the design complemented rather than distracted from the content. We decided on a bold yellow cover to create an impactful first impression and draw immediate attention.
Throughout the process, Arteh provided invaluable feedback, ensuring that the design remained true to the essence of the stories. We iterated on several drafts, fine-tuning each element to achieve the desired outcome.
Challenges and Solutions
The journey was not without its challenges.
Time Management
With the project spanning several months, coordinating schedules between Arteh and myself was crucial. We set up regular check-ins and milestones to keep the project on track, ensuring steady progress without compromising on quality.
Technical Hurdles
Integrating high-resolution photographs with text in a cohesive layout required careful attention to detail. We invested time in testing various print formats and materials to ensure the final product met our standards of excellence.
Creative Differences
Balancing Arteh’s vision with design principles sometimes led to differing opinions. Open communication and collaborative brainstorming sessions helped us find common ground, blending artistic integrity with design aesthetics.
Budget Constraints
High-quality printing and materials can be costly. We had to make strategic decisions on where to allocate resources without sacrificing the book’s overall impact and quality.
Despite these challenges, the project culminated in a beautifully designed book, printed in Istanbul, that we were both proud of.
part interview between Arteh and Wex Photo & Video
WPV: What is the goal of telling these stories?
Arteh Odjidja: The terms migrant and refugee can carry a lot of prejudice, some of which I hope this series overcomes. As you turn each page, it’s important to pause and reflect on the incredible determination in the faces you see.
They take little for granted, embracing a simple will to survive and thrive. Through sharing their stories in this way, I hope to re-address the so-often negatively skewed narrative of these young people striving to contribute to their new communities around the world.
I also hope this collection will inspire these young people to share their stories in new and creative ways. The photography art form, for example, is an influential communication medium that can be used to provide a voice and more context to these incredible individuals. Through my immigrant mentoring work, a similar portrait series was exhibited in front of Queen Elizabeth II, strengthening the potential of a better future for generations.
Final Outcome and Future Plans
The culmination of months of hard work and collaboration was celebrated with the successful launch of the book in December 2022, hosted by WEX Photo Video in East London. The book's striking design, combined with Arteh’s evocative photography and narratives, was met with widespread acclaim.
Looking ahead, we envision the project being featured in various photography and photo-book festivals, with displays planned across the UK and Europe. There is a strong desire to share these powerful stories with broader audiences, particularly young people’s groups, to foster greater understanding and appreciation for migrant and refugee experiences.
Conclusion
Working on this project with Arteh Odjidja was a great experience. It allowed me to blend my design skills with a meaningful cause, resulting in a project that has the potential to inspire and educate. The journey was filled with challenges, but the outcome was a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision. I look forward to future projects that continue to tell impactful stories through design and photography.
Fear & Dreams Book
The Stranger Series 'Fear & Dreams'