Inspired by the Russian word toska, which embodies sadness, melancholy, and longing, this project explores materiality as a means of expressing complex emotions. Drawing from my Russian-speaking heritage, I collected and translated poems that reflect these sentiments, using design as an emotional outlet.

The book features white ink on translucent vellum, symbolizing emptiness and fleeting light, with black pages inserted between to represent the darkness associated with toska. The metal covers, crafted through water-jet cutouts, add a physical weight to the concept, further emphasizing the gravity of the word.

Handmaking this book was a challenging process, teaching me invaluable lessons about bookbinding and material experimentation. Printed on 8.5x11 vellum with custom 8.75x11.25 metal covers, this project was completed in Spring 2023 and marks a significant step in my journey of ambitious, concept-driven design.