Jim Valvano
Publication
Experimental Book Design
Jim Valvano Publication
On March 3rd, 1993, Jim Valvano delivered his Arthur Ashe Courage Award Acceptance Address at the first ESPY Awards. Not only did Valvano reminisce about his professional basketball career, he also announced his Jimmy V Cancer Research Foundation. At the time of the award, it was well known he was fighting an aggressive form of metastatic cancer. Valvano stresses no matter the circumstances we owe it to ourselves to live life to the fullest.
Design Skills:
Publication
Print Design
Photo Editing
Book Spreads
Video flip through to see page and spread layouts
page dimensions: 8 in. by 8in.
book dimensions: 8in. by 72 in.
Design Decisions
Instead of many individual pages bound together, this publication is one continuous page. It's scored and folded into an accordion book format. The intention behind this layout is to emphasize a key theme in Valvano’s speech: Connection.
To dream of the future, you have to look at your past, and present, and see how your life’s events led you to where you are and where you aspire to be.
The Book Format: It all Connects
The red lines connect throughout the entire book. The lines add direction and movement. The lines also emphasize connectivity, a timeline of events, and a symbolic red string of fate.
Typograpy: It is what it is
Both typefaces are matter-of-fact and pragmatic, contrasting to an emotionally charged speech. Valvano said it like it is: Cancer is something he had to live with. To him, accomplishing his goals is more important. Different color and size pull quotes highlight impactful quotes.
Imagery: You’re supposed to think about it
Valvano says one key element to living a full life is to think every day. Some images are more ambiguous than others. I could explain the intended meaning behind each image, however, where’s the fun in that? I will say, every image references a metaphor, quote, or theme in the speech.
Book Covers: Facing Yourself
The lines here, on the front and back cover, purposefully do not line. They symbollically represent a linear timeline of our lives. There is a beginning and an end; the opportunity to look back on the past and face forward and dream of the future.