Strats
Publication Design
2024

A publication containing a collection of eBay listings for the popular “Stratocaster” model of electric guitar. Images from these listings are presented with the guitars themselves cut out, leaving only their backgrounds. Similarly, captions pulled from listing descriptions make no direct mentions of the instruments themselves. In doing so, Strats attempts to account for these objects by looking away from and around them. This approach is informed by philosopher Bruno Latour’s essay, “The Berlin Key or How to do Words with Things” wherein he argues that “Consider things, and you will have humans. Consider humans, and you are by that very act, interested in things.” Likewise, the publication argues that objects are constituted in their surrounding objects and subjects, and can only be truly understood in these relationships. 

The original images from the eBay listings were laser printed, cut out by hand, then scanned in order to maintain their organic and personal feel. The cutout silhouettes of the guitars are centered and kept the same size on each page, allowing for a flip book effect when rapidly turning the pages. The design of the book takes a traditional approach, opting for a traditional serif typeface to contrast with the amateurish textual content and imagery. This approach only amplifies the absurdity of it all. 

Designer+Writer
Humberto Ochoa

Course
Making+Meaning: The Visual Archive

Professor  

Pascal Glissman


Photographer 

Olivia Rae Harris










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