Sleep Is Your Superpower

Sleep is one of the most essential things our bodies need to survive. However, most people tend to sacrifice it for other time-consuming tasks. There is a Ted Talk by Matt Walker that goes in-depth about why sleep is so vital. Using the transcript as inspiration, an artist made a book illustrating his words.

Similar to how Matt Walker was incredibly straightforward and sugarcoated nothing when delivering his sobering news, this book works to express that same raw feeling. Using a minimal but intense color scheme of black, white, and red, as well as incorporating collage to create an unsettling vibe, the book has a grotesque aesthetic. The book is held together with two binder rings, making it feel cold and harsh. Just as Walker was brutally honest about the dangers of sleep deprivation, the book’s jarring visuals reflect that bluntness. The fragmented images and sparse colors aim to convey the mental fog and emotional volatility that can result from lack of sleep. Like Walker’s cutting words, the book’s disjointed design jars the reader and reiterates the gravity of his message. Through its bold graphic style, the book drives home Walker’s wake-up call about respecting sleep’s vital role.