PERSON X : Silver Loerie & ISTD:Pass
The aim of this brief is to celebrate the life of a woman who has previously gone unrecognised for her role that she played in history. The heroin is Louise De Bettignies, who was a first world war French spy. The concept behind this execution involves discovering the character, using common methods of uncovering, which was typically used during the First World War era. This includes concealed words, letters, patterns and puzzles.
A typeface and a mind game was created, that allows the player to discover the identity of Louise De Bettignies (Person X). This process of discovery is based on clues that uncovers the mystery. The intention is to systematically use the visual clues, or words, to solve each part of the mystery. By solving (and combining) each part of the mystery, the reader will be exposed to an encoded type face that challenges the conventional recognizable font type, while still communicating a message.
The typeface is inspired by Morse Code, which was a typical form of communication during the war. The typographical style is unique in the way it is used, while still retaining the dots and dashes, but arranged in a contemporary manner to form the required letter type. While conventional Morse Code is arranged in a linear fashion, the new type face changes the traditional convention and in certain circumstances, the dashes are arranged diagonally or vertically as required to form a specific letter. The composition of dots in relation to the dashes, creates a visual clue of the intended letter or word, while maintaining the theme of discovery and challenge.
The selected colours of red, blue and white, is intentionally used to reinforce the British and French Alliance which has historical significance and relevance.
This mind game, acts as a guide, in assisting the player in discovering who Person X is. Throughout the guide there is a combination of written and visual clues, as well as problem solving games. All these elements culminate in a document to achieve one goal- the ultimate reveal of Person X.
Fold Out Pages
The intention of fold out pages is to reinforce the concept of uncovering and to get the player to interact with the mind game.
Decoder
The intention of this page is for the player to refer to it throughout the game. It deciphers the typeface which has been created, which will primarily assist the player in solving Person X.
This page is a list of possibilities for Person X. There is a combination of both men and women who served in WW1 and WW2.
Interactive Clues
There are three spreads that have interactive laser cut clues. Placement of the letters against the background pattern and deciphering the letter order is required.
'Remove' Envelopes
There are five sections in the book where one is required to remove either a transparent decoder or a clue.
The crossword needs to be solved in order to uncover Clue 2: The Letter. By taking the first letters from the words indicated in the crossword, Person X’s pseudonym will be revealed.
Japanese Binding
The purpose of this binding technique is used to reinforce the concept of joining the dots.
ISTD Assessment Result: Pass.
Assessors Comments: “The concept is inventive and demonstrates appropriate creative risk taking which is commendable.”
