Myth, Mind & Monsters
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 Print & Digital / Book and Magazine
School / University Name:Vega School at Emeris
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Lewis Drummond
Other Contributor(s):Lecturer: Marijke Benade
Professor Name(s):Marijke Benade
Design Status:Prototype
Project Description:
Myth, Mind & Monsters is a hybrid horror anthology that blends graphic storytelling with the eerie tone of folklore and cryptid mythology. The project explores the idea that monsters are not always unknown creatures, but reflections of the fears, memories, and obsessions we already carry. Through eight short stories, each centred on a cryptid, the narrative explores the blurred line between myth, imagination, and psychological fear. The visual design uses a bold black, red, and white palette to create a tense, unsettling atmosphere. Expressive typography, layered text, and symbolic imagery build a cohesive visual identity while reflecting the emotional tone of each story. The project extends beyond the book through supporting elements such as a teaser poster and an interactive cipher bookmark. The bookmark functions as both a reading companion and decoding tool, allowing readers to uncover hidden messages throughout the book and promotional materials. Together, these elements create an immersive experience that encourages curiosity, investigation, and deeper engagement with the world of the stories.
Myth, Mind & Monsters is a hybrid horror anthology that blends graphic storytelling with the eerie tone of folklore and cryptid mythology. The project explores the idea that monsters are not always unknown creatures, but reflections of the fears, memories, and obsessions we already carry. Through eight short stories, each centred on a cryptid, the narrative explores the blurred line between myth, imagination, and psychological fear. The visual design uses a bold black, red, and white palette to create a tense, unsettling atmosphere. Expressive typography, layered text, and symbolic imagery build a cohesive visual identity while reflecting the emotional tone of each story. The project extends beyond the book through supporting elements such as a teaser poster and an interactive cipher bookmark. The bookmark functions as both a reading companion and decoding tool, allowing readers to uncover hidden messages throughout the book and promotional materials. Together, these elements create an immersive experience that encourages curiosity, investigation, and deeper engagement with the world of the stories.
Project Innovation / Specification:
Myth, Mind & Monsters is innovative in its fully self-contained creative approach. The author not only wrote all eight stories but also developed a unique visual language for the project, including a custom alphabet and cipher system. This transforms the book from a traditional anthology into an interactive experience where readers can actively decode hidden messages throughout the narrative. The integration of storytelling, graphic design, and a constructed language creates multiple layers of engagement. Readers are encouraged to investigate the text and visuals more deeply, using the cipher bookmark to interpret symbols and uncover additional meaning within the book and promotional materials. By combining original writing, visual design, and a custom symbolic system, the project moves beyond conventional book design and demonstrates how narrative, typography, and interaction can work together to create a more immersive and participatory reading experience.
Myth, Mind & Monsters is innovative in its fully self-contained creative approach. The author not only wrote all eight stories but also developed a unique visual language for the project, including a custom alphabet and cipher system. This transforms the book from a traditional anthology into an interactive experience where readers can actively decode hidden messages throughout the narrative. The integration of storytelling, graphic design, and a constructed language creates multiple layers of engagement. Readers are encouraged to investigate the text and visuals more deeply, using the cipher bookmark to interpret symbols and uncover additional meaning within the book and promotional materials. By combining original writing, visual design, and a custom symbolic system, the project moves beyond conventional book design and demonstrates how narrative, typography, and interaction can work together to create a more immersive and participatory reading experience.
Project Sustainability Approach:
Myth, Mind & Monsters supports sustainability through efficient and adaptable design. The project uses a limited colour palette and consistent visual system, allowing for more efficient printing and reduced material waste. The concept is also scalable, meaning it can expand into future editions, additional stories, or new media while reusing existing visual elements such as the cipher system and typography. By creating an interactive and collectible reading experience, the project encourages audiences to keep and revisit the book, extending its lifespan and supporting long-term creative value.
Myth, Mind & Monsters supports sustainability through efficient and adaptable design. The project uses a limited colour palette and consistent visual system, allowing for more efficient printing and reduced material waste. The concept is also scalable, meaning it can expand into future editions, additional stories, or new media while reusing existing visual elements such as the cipher system and typography. By creating an interactive and collectible reading experience, the project encourages audiences to keep and revisit the book, extending its lifespan and supporting long-term creative value.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Project:
Locally, Myth, Mind & Monsters contributes to the creative industry by showcasing how graphic design, illustration, and storytelling can combine to create immersive narrative experiences. It encourages emerging designers to explore experimental formats such as interactive print and visual storytelling. Regionally, the project highlights how folklore and digital-age narratives can be reinterpreted through contemporary design. By combining traditional print with interactive elements like a cipher system, it reflects growing interest in multidisciplinary creative projects within publishing and design. Overall, the project demonstrates how design can create engaging cultural experiences that encourage audiences to explore storytelling in more interactive ways.
Locally, Myth, Mind & Monsters contributes to the creative industry by showcasing how graphic design, illustration, and storytelling can combine to create immersive narrative experiences. It encourages emerging designers to explore experimental formats such as interactive print and visual storytelling. Regionally, the project highlights how folklore and digital-age narratives can be reinterpreted through contemporary design. By combining traditional print with interactive elements like a cipher system, it reflects growing interest in multidisciplinary creative projects within publishing and design. Overall, the project demonstrates how design can create engaging cultural experiences that encourage audiences to explore storytelling in more interactive ways.
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Lewis Drummond
