Theo Neuman:
Works with Books

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" Ancora imparo
I am still learning. "
—Michelangelo, at 87




Vibes Vernacular, archival, formative, analog, tactile, personal, Eastern, and material‑rich
Vibes Vernacular, archival, formative, analog, tactile, personal, Eastern, and material‑rich


In Memoriam of a Good·Friend·Korean

195x245 mm, 184 pages, thread sewing; dummy book printed on matte paper—Red River Premium Matte Paper, 120 gsm; authored by Taehoon Um in English
 composed of vernacular photographs from family albums, tracing the personal and societal evolution of Um Tae Hoon. Originally private, these images were never meant for public display or artistic recognition, yet together they form a narrative of identity, transformation, and rebirth. Through the lens of personal archives, the book reflects on the experience of growing up in a homogeneous society—capturing not just an individual’s journey but the cultural forces that shaped it.








Process
Trial and error is vital to bookmaking, revealing what works and what doesn’t in tangible form. PDFs can’t replicate physical nuances—dummies or mockups become essential steps in refining the final design.







Prologue Image and Text
The prologue’s obituary announces the main character’s passing, while his formal portrait contrasts with the baby photo on the cover, inviting curiosity about his journey to adulthood.




Structural Pages
The contents, dividers, and final sections form the visual pillars of this story, featuring Pal-gwe or Bagua, the eight trigrams from Korea’s national flag. Drawn from the I Ching, they serve as numerical markers and powerful symbols of life’s changing dynamics, guiding readers through each chapter’s transformation.







Interactive Elements
Personal archival photos gain narrative depth through interactive features that engage readers beyond mere viewing. By leveraging the book’s physical form, these devices transform the act of turning pages into a tactile storytelling experience.







Fold-Out
Unfolding these pages exposes the transform-ation from civilian to military man, capturing the rigorous path of training in a single expansive view.
Fold-Out  Unfolding these pages exposes the transform-ation from civilian to military man, capturing the rigorous path of training in a single expansive view.








Gatefold
Each fold reveals opposing identities—students in uniforms with test rankings versus in casual clothes with nature. Fully opened, the main character appears in a new context, emphasizing this contrast.
Gatefold  Each fold reveals opposing identities—students in uniforms with test rankings versus in casual clothes with nature. Fully opened, the main character appears in a new context, emphasizing this contrast.





Translation
The insert flap provides English text for Korean-language materials, integrating seamlessly into the original design without overshadowing it.






Collage
A key storytelling technique, collage groups images to reveal different aspects and themes, showcasing editing choices across analogue and digital photos.