The unflattened picturebook: a practice-based investigation into the use of the physical form of the book-object as narrative language

In the thesis, I define picturebooks that emphasise the importance of using the physical book-object to convey the narrative as unflattened picturebooks. They can be seen as the evolution from movable books which employ the design principles for integrating further types of play into picturebooks through the use of book-objects. They enhance the effect of reading the book on children’s development, while also presenting a more engaging narrative. Within this context, this practice-based art research took place to explore the relationship between the narrative and the physicality of the book-object. It also aims to provide a framework for designing unflattened picturebooks and make a connection between the ‘academic’ and ‘practitioner’. The thesis is divided into four main processes: 1) clarifying the definition and features of unflattened picturebooks, 2) analysing published unflattened picturebooks, 3) studying the design method of unflattened picturebooks from the established artists, 4) performing, documenting and analysing my own practice. My findings firstly are the three narrative attributes of unflattened picturebooks: spatiality, materiality and dynamics. Designers need to carefully consider and innovate upon these attributes through the book design process. Secondly, during this research, I designed three picturebooks. The reflective practice played a fundamental role in exploring and generating the practical design framework for unflattened design. I concluded that using constraints is vital to the unflattened picturebook design process and Bruno Munari’s design process can be employed as a useful tool for designing unflattened picturebooks.