A CAUTIONARY TALE

Publication Design & Satire

An overturned wine glass spilling red liquid, with orange slices beside it on a white surface.

This hand-bound cocktail recipe book showcases the writings and imagined workspaces of various well-known authors all of whom died from alcohol-related deaths.

Alcohol has long been used creative conduit by literary greats. This notion has been culturally welcomed and even celebrated. For some authors this conduit transcended into a substance dependency and ultimately alcoholism.

Not only did alcohol detrimentally impact their careers and personal lives but in far too many cases resulted in premature deaths.

Areas of Focus

Cultural Vices
Design Fiction
Scenario Development
Satire & Subversion
Critical Design
Publication Design

Methods

Bookbinding
Graphic Design
Investigative Research
Design Research

Year

2014

Awards

2015 Judges Choice via Publishing Professionals Network

BOOK FEATURES

    • Each author’s workspace is styled with props to capture the unique ambiance of their writing environment.

    • Props and décor reflect elements of the author’s life and style, immersing readers in the setting that inspired their works.

    • The setup provides insight into each author’s creative process and historical context.

    • The book profiles six influential authors: Brendan Behan, O. Henry, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Patrick Hamilton, Jack Kerouac, and Christopher Hitchens.

    • Each of these authors was selected for their impact on literature and their intriguing lifestyles, offering a diverse look at various literary movements and personal histories.

    • Profiles include micro-biographies highlighting each author’s life, career, and literary contributions

    • Each section notes the author’s cause of death, offering a complete life narrative.

    • Each author’s favorite cocktail is featured with a historically-based recipe.

    • Cocktails add a sensory layer, letting readers experience the authors' lifestyles.

    • Recipes evoke the flavors of each author’s era and personal taste.

    • The book is a unique artifact, constructed and bound entirely by hand, showcasing an artisanal approach that reflects the care and creativity behind each element.

    • This handcrafted design enhances the book's tactile experience, making it not only a literary work but a collector's item that honors the legacy of the authors it features.

Open magazine page showing a vintage blue typewriter with a paper in it, a glass of water with a lime wedge, a small bottle of hot sauce, a slice of lime, a glass, a small map book, a cigar, a metal lighter, and some matches on a grey surface.
Open book with quote: "I am a drinker with a writing problem." by B. Behan
Open cookbook showing a cocktail recipe on the right page and ingredients on the left page, including a bottle of bourbon, simple syrup, orange peel, ice, and a glass, on a gray surface.
Open cookbook page with a cocktail recipe titled 'Bloody Mary' next to a prepared ingredients layout, including lime wedges, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, celery stalk, and a wooden board with spices, along with a glass and a lemon.
A person holding an open book showing a page about O. Henry on the left, and on the right, a flat lay of a watch, a piece of hair, a tipped-over glass, a white notepad, and an orange pen on a dark grey surface.