The amulet, the talisman, the charm
Maria Luísa Pinto, Roberta Miranda and Victoria Borges Brites
This editorial project arose in the Project curricular unit, within a collaborative dynamic that simulates the relationship between client and designer: one group develops the concept and the initial content, while the other develops it and turns it into a final proposal. The challenge set for us was to create a coffee table book devoted to amulets, talismans and charms, exploring their symbolism, historical uses and cultural resonances.
Our response started from a reflection on the precious nature of these objects, both material and immaterial. We therefore chose a rectangular format, close to square, which gives balance and visual presence. The art direction was designed so that the book itself would also become an object of contemplation, almost like a modern talisman. The images, gathered from museum collections, were treated in black and white and presented at a large scale, highlighting the form and detail of each piece. As a complement, a poster brings the amulets together in color, reinforcing the visual impact and the symbolic diversity.
Each chapter opens with a short invitation to the reader, encouraging them to interact with the book as if it were a magical artifact, evoking gestures of contemplation, ritual or imagination. The project thus goes beyond a mere compilation of images and information, becoming a visual, tactile and conceptual experience that values the cultural diversity of these artifacts. By presenting amulets as material and spiritual heritage, the publication contributes to the dissemination of ancestral practices and beliefs, encouraging reflection on the permanence and transformation of symbols of protection, luck and faith throughout history.
Imprint / Technical Rider:
Year: 2024/2025
Dimensions: 200 × 250 mm; 200 pages
Materials: Munken Lynx 150 g/m²; Couché Gloss 150 g/m².
Production and finishing: Text block laser-printed; annotations in silver Pantone; hand-bound (perfect binding).
Resources and credits: Typefaces: Gordita (Thomas Gillett, 2016) and ZT Bros Oskon 90s (Khairun Nas, 2023); software: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop; texts based on the references listed in the book.
Curricular Unit:
Project (1st year)
Supervising Professor:
Cristina Ferreira
Keywords: Editorial Design, Coffee Table Book, Material Culture, Amulets and Talismans