Mocking Birdies

http://designarchives.aiga.org
(2006) 365: AIGA Year in Design. 27 (128/179)
Book Design, 2005

This deceptively simple children’s book, depicts a blue and a red bird imitating each other’s actions and “speech.” The lines are also staggered, so the colors and layout work in harmony with its jazzy meter. Eventually, the two birds join up, chirping purple lyrics, until a purple bird joins them as their songs spread this way and that across the page. Even the wires where they perch become bars of music. Annette Simon’s minimalist style makes the most of a few simple shapes and primary colors surrounded by ample white space. The way the figures appear on the page is echo the book's musicality, with their own visual rhythm.