JUKE JOINT BOOK

The Typeface & Book Project

This 8 x 8 inch perfect-bound book, with soft-touch lamination and printed by Smart Press, serves as both a design space and a platform for developing my editorial skills through my own typeface. Juke Joint Slab is more than a typeface—it is a tangible representation of my belief in giving typefaces a place to live, offering a physical experience for viewers to engage with the design.

The book showcases Juke Joint Slab as an African American ecomusicology typeface and manifesto, exploring the rich musical heritage of Mississippi’s African American communities. This interdisciplinary work integrates type, writing, and design to examine the connections between environment, society, and music. From the spirituals of enslaved Africans to the blues and gospel music born from the Delta’s struggles, Mississippi’s ecomusicology reflects a deep narrative of resilience, resistance, and creativity. The book highlights how the region’s natural landscape, socio-economic conditions, and cultural heritage have shaped musical traditions, affirming the lasting impact of African Americans on the evolution of American music and culture.