Don't Think of an Elephant — Olivia Lam copy

Synethesia: Don’t Think of an Elephant

Don’t Think of an Elephant is an editorial book exploring how synesthesia shapes perception and memory. The title references the involuntary nature of synesthesia: just as being told not to think of an elephant immediately brings the image to mind, visual responses happen instinctively for people with synesthesia when listening to music.

The book is structured around interviews with three individuals with synesthesia, each forming a color-coded chapter. Imagery throughout each chapter is drawn from the interviewee’s personal memories and associations. At the end of each interview, participants described the visual landscapes they see when listening to their favourite songs, which were translated into illustrated chapter dividers. The project focuses on synesthesia as a lived, subjective experience, while visualising something that is typically intangible.

Role: Print Designer

Skills: Typography, Bookbinding, Publication Design, Illustration

Software: Adobe Indesign, Adobe Photoshop, Procreate

Timeline: 4 Weeks

Book Spreads

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Chosen Images

Illustrations for Chapter Separators

Related Projects

oliviahylam@gmail.com