WERTWÜRDIG*

Through its interactive narrative structure, the book itself becomes an object whose value only becomes apparent within its context. Information and emotion merge, creating a space for reflection on individual and collective values. In this way, new connections are forged and unexpected relationships are revealed.

WERTWÜRDIG* explores the emotional connection to personal treasures and compares how different generations attach meaning, memories, and identity to objects. Central to the work is the theoretical exploration of the topics of material culture, emotional attachment, and generational dynamics. The context-dependency of objects in intergenerational comparison serves not only as the starting point for the investigations but also as a design basis for making cultural, biographical, and societal aspects visible and tangible.

Theoretical insights are linked to ethnographic data and translated into an experimental form. The research and design strategy aims not only to impart knowledge but also to make it accessible as an experiential stimulus for reflection. The medium itself functions as an “encrypted” object, embodying the content and actively triggering discourse. This creates a reading experience that reveals parallels to real-world objects of value, as the object only reveals its true worth through the correct context, in the form of a book-like table of contents.

The design concept is based on a tripartite page layout, in which the individual levels are physically separated yet interwoven. Split page formats allow for the simultaneous reading of different levels, creating an overlap between theoretical content and emotional contributions. Clearly structured information areas and crisp typography meet visually and emotionally engaging imagery and a vibrant color palette that serves as a generational concept. This results in a dynamic interplay between analysis and experience.

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Content taken from WORTHYWORTH*