My subject matter for the ISTD brief 'Everything About One Thing' is dementia and the manifestation of its symptoms. The publication takes the reader through progression of the disease, beginning with the science behind it, to declining cognitive functions, and ultimately the care of the patient.
The book replicates the gradual decline seen in the patients. As symptoms progressively worsen, so too does the condition of the book; the stock lighter in weight, and the binding gradually looser. Additionally, the reader in turn has to interact with the book more as they progress through it, reflecting the increasing level of care-giving a patient requires over time.
The typography also undergoes a gradual change. Beginning structured and organized, it purposefully becomes more erratic in reference to the symptoms that it describes and the changing condition of the book. As the content moves to care of the patient, so the typography reverts to a more structured appearance and reflecting how care can assist in an improved quality of life. The narrative throughout humanizes the book as if it were the patient itself. This is juxtaposed with the medical information, prompting the reader to feel as if they themselves are the carer.
Adopting the position of carer is also emphasized by the increase of interaction required of the reader. Beginning as diagnosis, they are invited to compare their own cognitive functions through examples of mental examination questions typographically distorted to echo the increased level of confusion the patient feels. Content on stigma of the disease is placed behind a fold that the reader must open to read, metaphorically stating that the condition should not be hidden away but rather faced on. As the reader progresses through the book, a series of overlaying pages convey the feeling of disorientation and gaps in memory that the patient can experience at certain times of the day. To parallel information on care, specifically sensitive aspects like washing and dressing require the reader to untie pages that have been bound together - a laborious task that requires more delicate handling of the book itself.
The overall focus of the book should help the reader form a greater understanding of what is would be like to develop the condition, in a way that is both informative and emotive. The use of the narrative is specifically included to emotionally connect with the reader and to help form a greater empathy with sufferers of the disease.
