You Will Hardly Know features the work of the Norwegian-born artist Håvard Homstvedt. I designed the interior in collaboration with the artist himself, who is a long-time friend of mine from RISD. Our client was the gallery in Norway that represents him, Galleri Riis.

The interior of the book had to be somewhat direct in style and function, since its ultimate purpose was to present Håvard’s artwork to potential collectors. However, for the cover design, Håvard and I both agreed that we should attempt something a bit more abstract, and I was given free rein. My solution was to create this pattern, a deconstructed lettering-treatment that simultaneously spells—and hides—the book’s title.

The artist’s work features abstract references to weaving, pattern making and other traditional crafts. With the cover, I wanted to touch upon these influences, but without being too literal. So in my construction of the title, I reduced the letterforms to geometric squares and lines. We also used production to enhance the suggestion of craftwork, as well as the overall tactile experience. The book is cloth-over-board, and the title is de-bossed with pigment stamping. At the artist’s request, the last two words of the title (Hardly Know) are intentionally more difficult to read than the first two (You Will). It was the only time I’ve ever had a client ask me to “please reduce legibility.”

We loved the graphic, tactile quality of this stamped cover on linen.