The first edition of "Tennis In Photographs," focused on the year 2022, came together quickly last October. Designer Angela Lian worked with editor Cedar Pasori to craft an overarching identity and graphic journey to showcase the photographs and writing. Here is a short Q&A with Angela that provides some background details about her and the project overall.
What do you like about designing for print?
I love that print ephemera is tangible, collectible, and esoteric. It goes through so many processes carried out by people who really care, from designer, to printer, to distributor, to reader. It feels special to participate in such a universal practice.
You've designed a lot of print and book projects in the past. How was "Tennis In Photographs" different for you?
This is one of the few book projects I've done where I genuinely didn't know very much about the subject. Tennis is something I've never really thought about, but it was exciting to indulge in the topic in such a succinct way, which was through the highlights of 2022. It's cool to put myself in different contexts while designing.
Knowing there were various versions of the cover, how did you approach and what do you like about the final choice?
The whole zine is about photographs, so I wanted to make sure I highlighted photos without the cover being overly designed. What intrigues me about the final outcome is the weight and direction of elements pointing to Carlos Alcaraz. The diagonal champagne spray and verticality of the text grounds the cover in the tennis star.
You created a wonderful system of lines that represent the movement of each player and their photograph(s). What was the thought behind this amazing idea, and how did you execute it?
I think unconsciously, because I wasn't familiar with the photos and the sport, the line system became a language that bridged me with tennis. My background is in dance and design, so I often think in lines. This simplification of each image helped me understand the athleticism and dynamism of both the sport and the player. Hopefully, this does the same for others.
The fonts and shade of green feel really relevant to tennis heritage yet are still fresh and contemporary. How and why did you choose them?
If you look closely, the display font I chose, Redaction, has lines within the letters that share the same character as the line system I made for the photos. It felt right to carry out this interpretation of tennis throughout the zine. As for the color, green is the first color I think of when I think of tennis, from the ball to the court!
Was there anything (or things) specific about tennis, the players, the photos, or the 2022 season that really inspired you in the design process?
It's clear to me that the gestures and movements of each player inspired me while designing, especially the hands. The hands in the photos are all so genuine and heartfelt, from Jo-Wilfried Tsonga gripping the ground to Serena Williams making a heart with her hands. I wanted to maintain this level of sincerity throughout the design.
Interview by Cedar Pasori.
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