‘the Russian Mennonite STory’
Art direction and graphic design of a 106-page, full-colour book, ‘The Russian Mennonite Story’, published by the Centre for Transnational Mennonite Studies at the University of Winnipeg. The focus of the design was to showcase and highlight nearly 100 archival photos, many of which the public had never seen before. The images tell the story alongside well-crafted text. Carefully scanned archival maps, retouched historical photographs, and a unique print technique combined to make this a stunning publication. Purchase here. 2018
“Thanks for your creativity and hard work. Your design of this book is incredible and made it into something that is truly special. It has been wonderful to work with you."
– Dr. Aileen Friesen Executive Director, D. F. Plett Historical Research Foundation, Assistant Professor at the University of Winnipeg
“Anikó…congratulations on a most excellent book!"
– Royden Loewen Professor of History, Chair in Mennonite Studies, University of Winnipeg
MENNONITE FLOOR PATTERNS FIELD JOURNAL
Since 2001 Margruite Krahn has been involved in the restoration and documentation of Neubergthal, a late-nineteenth-century Mennonite street village and National Historic Site in Manitoba. While visiting several historic housebarns, she uncovered hand-painted patterns on the floorboards. She proceeded to recreate these historic floor patterns which are featured in this field journal. Pages have room for sketching and writing. This project accompanied her exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and required design, production management, photography art direction, and overseeing the print process. 2017
The field journal has a 'stitched' spine and therefore opens flat for sketching and writing.
This book make a great gift, contact me for more information!
A replica of the Sommerfeld housebarn floor pattern, at the Mennonite Heritage Village, Steinbach, Manitoba, handpainted by M. Krahn, 2010.
Detail of a historic Mennonite floor pattern.
Pages in the book have either ruled lines for journaling or blank pages for sketching.
Each floor pattern is featured at the back of the book information on the origins of the pattern.
Mennonite History for Young People
Awarded the Art Direction contract to design and produce the ten volume educational series, 'Mennonite History for Young People', published by the D.F. Plett Historical Research Foundation. The books are geared towards middle school children. The books will be used in the education system to teach Mennonite history. 2016 – Present
Colourful illustrations were created for chapter title pages.
“Anikó provided an excellent balance of listening carefully to my vision of the history reader for young people that I was working on, encouraging my own creative thinking, providing clear guidance around matters of what would and would not work design-wise, and then applying her talent, creativity, expertise and common sense to designing a very satisfactory product."
– Rosabel Fast, M.Ed. M.Ed., Project Manager and Writer
Cover design for volume one.
Back cover, spine and cover of volume one.
Beautiful illustrations were created for the chapter title pages.
Custom map creation and design were required throughout the series.
A new design direction was applied to the second set of three books referred to as the 'Canada' series. This series is geared towards an older readership, high school aged students. The text is written in a more detailed manner, the text is set in a smaller size, the colours are less primary and there are fewer illustrations and images while keeping a similar style and tone to the first set of three books.
A combination of historic photographs and historically accurate illustrations were used.
Cover design for volume four.
'A Collected History'
Art Direction and graphic design for the 50th Anniversary Souvenir book 'A Collected History' for the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach, Manitoba. This large scale project required detailed drawings prior to working with the photographer to create custom layouts. The history of Mennonites is conveyed through the use of historic objects that belong to the museum collection. 2014
'A Collected History', recently won the “Association of Manitoba Museum's Award of Excellence for Research and Publication”. The award is for exceptional research activities and/or outcomes that enhance the experience and knowledge of the museum visitor, museum professional and/or subject experts.
Winnipeg Humane Society Newsletter
The Winnipeg Humane Society decided to take a new approach with the design and content of their newsletter. Using bright colours, a progressive layout and streamlined editorial, a heart-felt and informative approach was created. The new design saw an increase in donations from $1,000 to over $12,000. A co-ordinated mail-out envelope was also designed. First issue, Spring 2014
“Aniko is not only extremely creative, she is thorough and detail oriented; thinking through the project and suggesting ways to improve. Her experience, talent and eye for design is an asset to any project she works on.”
– Aileen White Director, Communications & Public Affairs
I was honoured when asked to design the Winnipeg Humane Society's 2015 Annual Report. Along with the Annual Report, promotional material for the Annual General Meeting was required. Using an earthy and sophisticated colour palette, striking photography along with an active layout, we were able accommodate the varying types of information the WHS needed to convey. Spring, 2015.
“Thanks as always for your hard work, enthusiasm and talent. It is a pleasure working with you!”
– Laina Hughes Former Communications Coordinator, WHS
‘Kroeger Clocks’
Graphic design of ‘Kroeger Clocks’ by Arthur Kroeger is a fascinating book which required directing photo shoots of the available clocks, organizing content, layout and design, directing the detailed Photoshop work required to salvage the damaged historic images and overseeing the print process. 2012
“Anikó has produced design work for a number of projects at Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) over the last several years. MHV is a world-class village museum which educates and entertains over 40,000 guests from more than 50 countries every year. We value excellence in all areas of our work and public presentation. Anikó Szabó’s work clearly meets our requirements for quality and excellence. Most recently Anikó did the graphic design for Kroeger Clocks, a book MHV published in 2012. This glossy coffee-table book includes many photos and stories about a significant element of Mennonite culture. The quality of the type face, layout, and reproduction of photographs has contributed to the popularity of the book.”
– Barry Dyck Executive Director, Mennonite Heritage Village
Before re-touching
After re-touching
When working with historic material, professional photographic re-touching is often required to bring a publication up to the visual standards the client expects.
‘Health for All – Building Winnipeg's Health Equity Action Plan’
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority required art direction and graphic design for two documents: Health for All: Building Winnipeg's Health Equity Action Plan, a 65-page report assessing health equity in Winnipeg, printed and posted as a PDF file on the WRHA web site and Health Equity Indicator Resource, a 74-page companion document. Charts, maps, and graphs were extracted from Word and Excel files, reformatted for aesthetics and readability. 2013
The Beaver Magazine
Canada’s History Magazine, formerly The Beaver underwent a redesign before being renamed. The design of a seasonal ‘over-cover’ was produced for the December issue featured here. 2003
The back and front of the ‘over-cover’
The ‘over-cover’ folded around the December issue of The Beaver offering a Christmas subscription discount
The Manitoba Museum Annual Report 1999
The Manitoba Museum’s 1998/99 Annual Report featured the newly-acquired butterfly collection. Working closely with the communications department, I was responsible for the the design, layout, photography, art direction, and overseeing the print process. 1999
View of the inside front and back cover spread