JAPANESE TEXTBOOK COVERS
Proposed book cover designs for the University of Hawaiʻi Japanese language textbooks (Volume I of Musubi: A New Approach to Language and Culture in Reading & Writing and Oral Communication).
This design uses a modern illustration style to appeal to a younger audience and express the excitement of learning Japanese language.
CATEGORY
Illustration, Print
TOOLS
Adobe Illustrator
MUSUBI: A NEW APPROACH
The Musubi textbook series is written by University of Hawaiʻi Japanese language professors with lessons tailored specifically for their students. Lessons include characters from Hawaiʻi and mention local stores and restaurants to bring a sense of familiarity and relatability to University students.
The textbooks are printed on campus as loose-leaf packets, but currently have no cover design. This design aims to convey the unique, customized mix of local and Japanese culture that you won't find in other Japanese textbooks.
ORAL COMMUNICATION
In Volume I of the Oral Communication book, students learn to introduce themselves and make small talk in Japanese, such as where they are from and what they like to do. Thus, the imagery in the design focuses on hobbies, interests, and activities that people commonly talk about.
READING & WRITING
In Volume I of the Reading & Writing book, students practice writing in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji. Students also learn about Japanese culture and customs and how it is similar and different from the local culture in Hawaiʻi. This book cover designs brings both cultures together by mixing Hawaiian and Japanese imagery.