From Trash to Treasure: Unpacking the Mysteries of Hoarding Through Book Design
2025
Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop
“From Trash To Treasure” is a 50 page hand bound book composed of curated articles and excerpts exploring the roots and impacts of hoarding. Hoarding is a complex and highly misunderstood mental illness, afflicting 5-6% of the population. Through this book, I wanted readers to gain a deeper sense of understanding and empathy for those who hoard.
As someone whose family has been deeply impacted by hoarding, this book serves as a bridge for me to try to better understand my grandmother and my own mother’s childhood.
As someone whose family has been deeply impacted by hoarding, this book serves as a bridge for me to try to better understand my grandmother and my own mother’s childhood.
This book is split into two sections. “Limitless Potential” gives readers an introduction to what hoarding is and how it impacts relationships.
“The Pain Of Letting Go” allows readers to dive deeper into the reasons why hoarding happens, and what it takes to curb the behavior.
“The Pain Of Letting Go” allows readers to dive deeper into the reasons why hoarding happens, and what it takes to curb the behavior.
Many of the images in this book are photos my mom and I took over the last few years, capturing moments inside my grandparent’s home. Before 2022, no visitors, including family members, had been allowed inside for twenty years due to their expanding hoard.
Here are some of my main takeaways:
- Good type design requires a lot of trial and error: I went through several different body copy and display font options before I found the combination that properly fit the tone of my book.
- Crafting visual balance and breathing room was key to creating a book that drew people in.
- Book binding was an incredible way to feel deeply connected to my book, and helped me understand how complex book design truly is.