THE NOTORIOUS A.R.T
Context
True crime is a popular genre, and art theft is the fourth largest black market in the world. Despite this, news of art heists rarely stay in the headlines. This project is a coffee table book that re-tells some of the most audacious art heists in history, combining text, archival material, and original comic scenes. The aim is to engage new audiences by presenting these stories in a visually captivating format that introduces them to the art world in an approachable way.
ART DIRECTION
Art Direction: The book showcases bold, gripping stories like the heist led by Martin Cahill, titled "Dead Man Walking," Stephen Breitweiser’s absurd love for art and theft in "Oh for the Love of Art!," and the infamous, still-unsolved Boston Isabella Gardner Museum theft, titled "Where Art Thou?" The blend of narrative, archival images, and comic-style illustrations creates a dynamic experience that appeals to both true crime fans and art enthusiasts.
I created an original font called "NOTORIOUS" specifically for this project, using Caligraphr to efficiently integrate handwritten-style text and doodles throughout. The font has a grungy aesthetic, designed to complement the true crime theme of the book. By using "NOTORIOUS" for larger text blocks, the font adds both a unique visual element and consistency across the design, perfectly capturing the gritty tone of the genre.
