Discussing Time Book

Discussing Time Book

Discussing Time Book is an innovative typographic and sculptural exploration of time, manifested through a collective book design project that uniquely combines traditional and contemporary design elements. Created by designer Zona Yuechen Guan, this interdisciplinary work features ice sculptures of letterforms that physically embody the concept of time through their gradual transformation from solid to liquid state. The project, which earned a Bronze A' Design Award in the Print and Published Media Design category, demonstrates a sophisticated integration of multiple design disciplines, including typography, sculpture, photography, and book design. The 7x12-inch publication draws inspiration from 16th-century illuminated manuscripts while incorporating modern photographic techniques and design elements, creating a temporal bridge between historical and contemporary book design practices. The conceptual foundation of the work stems from the natural phenomenon of ice melting into water, serving as a metaphor for the passage of time and its lasting impressions. Through collaborative discussions with a group of participants, the project captures diverse perspectives on time, which are then translated into sculptural representations. The designer assumed multiple roles throughout the project's development, including sculptor, photographer, videographer, discussion facilitator, and bookbinder, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to design execution. The work's unique properties lie in its ability to document both the physical transformation of ice sculptures and the collective discourse on time, while the book's design aesthetic successfully merges historical reference points with contemporary sensibilities, creating a sophisticated dialogue between past and present.

time sculpture, typographic design, illuminated manuscript, interdisciplinary art, ice typography, collective book design

— Adam Dawson

CITATION : "Adam Dawson. 'Discussing Time Book.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/discussing-time-book?E=454692 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"