Light and shadows bring stories to life in new Japanese pop-up book

The simple act of storytelling involves moral narratives that are played out by characters. One that involves a boy and a girl. Or two penguins. Which is then developed further by a plot (cliche or not), and ultimately winding down to an end.

Male penguins aside for the Singapore readers, let Megumi Kajiwara and Tatsuhiko Nijima take you into the art of shadow making.

“We cast a shadow on something wherever we stand, and it is no good moving from place to place to save things; because the shadow always follows. Choose a place where you won’t do harm – yes, choose a place where you won’t do very much harm, and stand in it for all you are worth, facing the sunshine.”E.M. Forster, A Room With A View

They created shadows on text that combine seamlessly with an illustrated story. In all, they have designed interactive books in a way that’s elegant and simplistic and direct.

In their book titled Motion Silhouette, readers interact with the book by manipulating with light, casting shadows that change the landscapes with simultaneous play. With every turn of page, a pop-up paper cut-out emerges at the reader’s whim to cast a shadow of a ‘moonlit’ tree in winter or a ‘travelling’ ghoul in the night.

Let’s step out from the shadows and enjoy the authors’ unique vision. GIFs courtesy of the awesome compilation and creative skills of Lustik.

Visit Megumi Kajiwara and Tatsuhiko Niijima’s site.

Tags: book, design, light, Megumi Kajiwara, motion, National Library, penguins, pop-up, shadows, silhouette, Tatsuhiko Nijima