World Relief Sees its 70th Year through Color and Design

What is the intended use for the book?

This 70th anniversary book is a singular, concise history of World Relief – the first of its kind in their history. It blends images, stories, and historical accounts in a unique format. Intended to be given as a gift to major donors, the book shows how financial contributions and direct involvement can impact the lives of many through programs that promote transformational development.

This book is part of a larger effort to rebrand the organization and solidify their position as a relevant force in global humanitarian efforts. World Relief serves some of the most vulnerable populations on the planet: women and their children needing health care and nutritional support in Africa; refugees resettling in the US after fleeing poverty and violence in their homelands; people suffering from HIV/AIDS in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, among many other groups (for an extensive list of programs visit worldrelief.org).

Where did the inspiration for the design of the book come from?

The inspiration came primarily from a key value that World Relief holds, which is woven into their mission to empower churches to serve the most vulnerable: it’s all about the act of seeing.  The very nature of World Relief’s efforts mandates bringing the most vulnerable out into the open to help them see their own potential for personal empowerment. It was important to bring that into the book in a visual way.

We used color as a vehicle to show the transformation from vulnerability to empowerment. From the opening chapter (black, white, and beige), to the closing chapter (full color), the book takes the reader on a journey filled with challenges, hope, and faith. The use of color is another layer that helps tell the story of a non-profit that had to change alongside a changing world during a 70-year period. Because color was so important to telling the story, our paper selection was critical.

The book construction is beautiful, featuring a Smyth bound spine and showcasing thread colors that match the World Relief brand. How was the concept developed?

The binding choice works on several different levels. Smyth binding seemed to be a very appropriate choice. First, an exposed spine is perfectly in alignment with the idea of “seeing”—an idea embedded in the backbone of the organization. Second, by placing the World Relief brand colors in such a critical place, we leveraged another opportunity to bring the brand into the very structure of the book. Third, Smyth binding has a hand-crafted quality to it, aligning with the grassroots aspect of some of World Relief’s own approach to helping others. Quite a few of the people they serve are also makers and craftspeople who earn a living by creating things with their own hands. Fox Printing in Milwaukee, printed, bound and glued the book, and handled a majority of the production by hand, staying true to the craft of bookbinding. This book is truly a work of art.

Why was Mohawk Options selected for this project? 

Color was a critical piece of the puzzle. Our paper choice had to have some tactility, but be smooth enough to help enhance image quality. The paper selection needed to absorb just enough ink to reflect light and dark while maintaining color clarity and fidelity. Paper that had too much tooth, or too little, wouldn’t work well. Paper that would absorb too much ink, or be too glossy wouldn’t work well either. Balance was key—and Mohawk Options (Beautiful Collection) gave us exactly what we were looking for.

To learn more about World Relief or to join their efforts, visit worldrelief.org

Client: World Relief
Design: StudioNorth, North Chicago, IL
Printer: Fox Printing, Milwaukee, WI
Paper Stock: Mohawk Options/ Navajo Smooth/ Brilliant White/ 100T, 60T
Printing: 4 color process UV inks
Bindery: Smyth Sewn