The Study of Time Visual Identity

The International Society for the Study of Time (ISST) is an interdisciplinary organization of scholars, scientists, philosophers and artists who study and explore the role time plays in the physical, organic, intellectual, and social worlds. The Study of Time is the 18-volume series of selected works collected after each ISST triennial conference.

Morris Design was asked to create an updated visual identity for the series and provide templates that supported ISST and its publisher with the design of future volumes. The final design utilized strong typography and paired full-bleed imagery with a coloured overlay, creating a textured background that ensured maximum legibility.
Additional design options were inspired by the bold patterns of 1970s book covers, using line patterns as abstract representations of timelines, journeys and backward and forward movement. Also referenced was Janus, the Roman god of transitions and dualities who was portrayed with two faces: one looking into the past and one looking into the future.