Book cover · Amar Ekushey Boimela 2024
A love letter, bound as a book: the cover and campaign for Sakib Bin Rashid and Mehzabeen Ahmad’s book on real relationships.
The letter
সম্পর্ক 101 is a book about everything in between: the fights, the sulking and the trying again. Sakib and Mehzabeen wrote down the mistakes they made, and what they learned, while trying to be a good child, a good friend and a good partner.
সাকিব-মেহজাবীনের বন্ধুত্বের বয়স ১৪ বছর, সংসারের বয়স ৩ বছর। এই পুরোটা সময় বহু ঝগড়া-মনোমালিন্য হয়েছে, কিন্তু চেষ্টা করা বন্ধ হয়নি।
from the book’s blurbFrom & To
From
One of 10 Minute School’s very first instructors. Since 2015 he has made English, general-knowledge and skills courses there, and is now its Principal Specialist, with more than six lakh learners. He also co-wrote লোকে কী বলবে? with Ayman Sadiq.
Say hi on Facebook
To
A development researcher with a Master of Public Affairs from The University of Texas at Austin, and a content creator who shares everyday life and relationships with tens of thousands of followers.
Follow on Instagram“Fights and disagreements are only normal and even healthy, as long as you set a line that isn’t crossed.”Mehzabeen, in a 2022 interview
Why a letter
A book written by a real couple about a real relationship shouldn’t look like a textbook. It should feel like something one of them would slip under the other’s door. So the whole cover became an airmail envelope, and the title became its stamp.
খসড়া · The rounds
Round 01 First draftsThe casual shoot, and a cartoon-style treatment.
Round 02 Finding the frameFive takes on the cutout edge, the hearts and the blue circle.
Round 03 The other sideTwo backs, until the windows found each other.
Sent ✓
The envelope
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The back cover
On the back, the two of them talk from two windows through tin-can phones, the oldest long-distance call there is. The string between the cups loops right across the cover, with hearts riding on it.
watch the heart make the call ↙
Delivered
The campaign
For the Boimela, the couple became the campaign: a poster each, one together, and social art pointing people to Pavilion ১৫ and to Rokomari.
Behind the lens
Asif directed the studio photoshoot for the campaign: the pointing, the poking, the handshake and the fist bump.
Photoshoot direction: Asif Hossain · February 2023