Melissa Bruss

This book begins with an exploration of various typographical concepts, then leads into utilizing all of the concepts and creating meaning by taking existing texts and making comparisons. This is the book cover. It is titled Then & Now because the meaning in this book is inspired by Italo Calvino's 'Cities and Memory' from the book 'Invisible Cities'. It talks about how memory is still contained in what exists today.

Here is the grid that was used throughout the book.

A spread simply showing text on page. A great example of hierarchy, and the different levels of headings.

Many of the spreads utilize an altered version of paper models I made for a previous project. The picture of the paper model shows many different lines created by the paper, essentially different paths. The previous project commented on the paths you take in life, and the memories you make. Which also relates to the theme of memory in this book.

A closeup of a quote.

A spread with a dynamic picture of a light post and building in Milwaukee.

The image used in this spread is from Design Within Reach in Milwaukee. It is a place that houses many contemporary art pieces and showcases up-and-coming artists, all inside a building that was originally Wirth and Hammel stables - horse stables that served Engine Company #10.

This fireman statue sits in front of the Engine House #10 that was rebuilt shortly after the 'Great Fire' of 1892. Both a memory of the event, and of what used to be a predominantly Irish Third Ward.

This spread shows image interacting with text.