This publication serves as an index of speakeasies in NYC, designed with a menu-inspired layout to emphasize its focus on bars. The title and introduction are printed in the shape of a business card, reinforcing its connection to the bar industry.
The collection is divided into three sections: a book detailing the history of speakeasies, a photo book featuring bars from my visits, and a printed index of speakeasies currently operating in New York City as of 2023, organized alphabetically. The halftone-printed photo adds a vintage touch, while its grainy, obscured appearance enhances the sense of enigma and secrecy.
The pagination of the photo book enhances the speakeasy theme by introducing an element of discovery. The first half presents bar photos in sequential order, while the second half provides corresponding information. Rather than following traditional page numbers, both sections are synchronized—meaning that if a bar’s photo appears on page 7 in the first half, its information will also be on page 7 in the second half. This design offers readers the experience of uncovering hidden intrigue as they explore the book, just like finding hidden speakeasies in the city.
Instructor: Scott Vander Zee