For this project, I created a catalog focused on musical legends Richard and Robert Sherman. You may be thinking you have no idea who these brothers are, but I would bet money that you know the words to their songs. The Sherman brothers are the creators of the music heard throughout the Disney Parks as well as some movies. While much of their music has been phased out of the parks, some of their most iconic songs remain like the “Enchanted Tiki Room” and the infamous “It’s a Small World”. For this project, I wanted to explore a style of design that was outside of my comfort zone. I decided to draw inspiration from 80s Memphis Style Design as the playful and colorful retro style pairs well with the nostalgia associated with the Disney Parks. I approached the illustration in vector to help keep the project modern while the colors and pattern bring in the retro aesthetic. Additionally, I decided not to include hand-drawn lettering (shocking if you’ve seen the rest of my portfolio). Don’t worry though because the project still features lots of fun type—it wouldn’t be in my portfolio if it didn’t!
Rather than hand lettering, I decided to create decorative typefaces to use as set type throughout the book. I based the letter forms on existing typefaces (I promise that’s not cheating) and then added some flair.
Rather than hand lettering, I decided to create decorative typefaces to use as set type throughout the book. I based the letter forms on existing typefaces (I promise that’s not cheating) and then added some flair.
Rather than hand lettering, I decided to create decorative typefaces to use as set type throughout the book. I based the letter forms on existing typefaces (I promise that’s not cheating) and then added some flair.
When designing the catalog, I felt that it was important to push the limits of the spreads in a tactical manner. I wanted the reader to be able to interact with the book in a memorable way. On this spread, I featured the iconic lyrics from “It's A Small World”. This song is the most publicly performed song of all time, so I wanted to give it a full spread of its own. I apologize if the song is now stuck in your head as it will probably be there for the rest of the day. The page opens up to reveal the equally iconic edifice of the ride.
The center of the book features a die-cut circular page based on the Epcot Ball, pictured below. Placing a circular page in the book required me to consider the composition of the surrounding pages, those on either side below, and patterns to fit within the semi-circular shape.
For the “Enchanted Tiki Room”, I created another fold-out, or in this case a fold-up. The right page folds up, revealing the rest of the chorus as well as a large tiki statue. Including this fold-out allows for a dramatic scale shift between the birds singing words, the crooning flowers, and the tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki statues.
All the spreads feature bold type that highlights that specific song’s chorus. Paired with the type is a flat image inspired by the ride itself, be it the vessel you ride in or something that you see while on the ride. The use of pattern, custom drop caps, and unique text placement keeps the catalog informational yet light-hearted and childlike.
project specifications
PROGRAMS: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop
FONTS: Bebas Neue, Started by a Mouse, Futura, Hypatia Sans Pro
COPY: Wikipedia
ART DIRECTION: Scott Laserow