Author: GEORGE HIRTHLER
Publisher: RINGWORKS PRESS
Title: THE IDEALIST: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BARON PIERRE DE COUBERTIN, REIMAGINED
CONTEXT: To most citizens of the world, the Olympics are a sporting event. To athletes, it is a goal, the highest dream. To sponsoring organizations, the Olympics are big business, a high visibility avenue to a global audience. Yet in its origins and its vision, Olympism is a movement for world friendship and peace through sport. Author George Hirthler is one of the Olympic movement’s most eloquent advocates. He spent several decades working as writer and strategist; he also developed a deep admiration for Pierre de Coubertin, the Olympic ‘Rennovateur’. Though The Idealist is a historical novel about Coubertin’s life, it is scrupulously researched and accurate in its rich narrative details. It is both a paean to a heroic individual and a clarion call to Olympians to remember and carry forward the high minded ideals of their founder.
DESIGN THINKING: This is a lengthy and absorbing work of prose, part manifesto, part romance. The container is of great importance—ceremonial as well as functional. The publication and distribution plan includes three editions: trade paperback, trade hardcover, as well as a deluxe signed and numbered limited edition. The handsome slipcase and custom binding adds an important imprimatur to the presentation of the Coubertin story.
IMPACT: The Idealist received resounding endorsements from many former Olympic champions and organizers, including former Los Angeles Olympic chairman Peter Ueberroth, Ambassador Andrew Young, Atlanta Olympic CEO Billy Payne, and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
Author: LUCINDA BUNNEN
Publisher: LAMAR DODD ART CENTER
Title: TRAILS, TALES AND TRANSFORMATIONS
ISBN-13: 978-0963671714
DESIGN THINKING: A catalog of a retrospective exhibition of one of the south’s most influential photographers, this book surveys 4 decades of creative exploration. Its form is also creative: it is actually three books within a single package: the narrative sections are included in two signatures bound into the inside front and back flaps, while the main book block contains only photography, leaving the viewer free to connect on a purely visual level. The book also includes an innovative combination of slip case and shipping carton- a folding wrap of archival corrugated with film laminated graphics and a velcro closure.
IMPACT: Though already Bunnen was already widely known and respected, the appearance of Trails, Tales and Transformations catapulted her to national visibility. The photographer’s national exhibition schedule grew dramatically, and she was named by Modern Photography magazine as one of he 20 most influential people in photography.
Author: DR. DON E. SALIERS
Publisher: NORTH GEORGIA UMC CONFERENCE
Title: FILLED WITH LIGHT
ISBN-13: 978-0615236094
DESIGN THINKING: Dr. Saliers, a prominent church historian, documents the period of 1927-2007 in the life of one of the most vibrant and activist churches in the Southern US. The book’s theme “a lantern on a hill” elaborates on a theme of “inward faith and outward works”. The author shows how the art, architecture and music of the sacred spaces builds a strong community of faith, which in turn is expressed in the wider world. The book begins with detailed review of the scriptural stained glass in the sanctuary and then parallels growth of facilities, congregation and community outreach. The book design utilizes information graphic techniques to demonstrate the growth of facilities from a single room to an 8 building campus fueled the growth of a vibrant congregation.
IMPACT: Published at the outset of an ambitious major capital campaign, Filled With Light gave the congregation a narrative of its multi-generational history, its numerous accomplishments, and its destiny. The campaign was successful and provided the funds to add facilities for education and outreach.
INFOGRAPHICS: The book uses visual diagrams to help make the connection between artwork and scripture. These make for both quicker comprehension and added meaning to the worship spaces.
