The Project
For Hillsdale College’s Online Courses division, I was tasked with creating a Course Companion/Coffee Table Book for the online course, The Genesis Story: Reading Biblical Narratives. This course dives into the Book of Genesis, examining its religious, literary, and cultural significance. My role involved designing the visual narrative of this course companion by pairing key quotes and theological insights with fine art images, aiming to elevate the learning experience for students.
The goal of this project was to create a visually appealing, thoughtful, and cohesive design that not only complemented the course content but also added depth to the theological themes discussed in each lecture. Specifically, I needed to ensure that the selected fine art images aligned with and enriched the narrative insights, helping students visualize the themes from Genesis.
Content Analysis: I reviewed the lecture content provided by the Online Courses team, including insights from Dr. Larry P. Arnn and Dr. Justin A. Jackson. These lectures dissected stories such as the creation of Adam and Eve, the binding of Isaac, and Joseph’s trials. By analyzing the tone, themes, and theological points made in each lecture, I was able to determine appropriate moments for visual accompaniment.
Image Curation: Each lecture was paired with historically significant works of fine art, such as:
• Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam
• Gustave Doré’s God Creating Light
• Raphael’s The School of Athens
• Rembrandt’s Jacob Wrestling with the Angel
These images were chosen not only for their aesthetic value but also for their ability to convey the course’s central ideas. For instance, The Creation of Adam serves as an iconic visual representation of the human-divine relationship that is a recurring theme in the course. The fine art images helped to bridge the gap between the ancient biblical texts and the modern reader, providing a visual anchor for theological reflection. The Online Courses staff provided a large sum of images for me to curate, I culled all images that would not meet printing requirements, and we collaborated on the best layout for the final image set.
Typography and Layout: The design employed a classic and elegant typographic layout to ensure readability and to highlight the intellectual rigor of the content. The layout of each spread was carefully balanced, with quotes occupying a prominent position beside their corresponding art. This approach created a harmonious blend of text and visuals, providing moments of reflection between reading and viewing.
Reflection of Themes: The book is not merely an art collection but a meditative guide. The visual selections were chosen to provoke deeper contemplation of the course’s themes, such as the complexity of the God-man relationship, human fallibility, and divine mercy.
Final Product: The final product was a polished, visually rich course companion that students could use both as a reference and a coffee table book. It not only complements the online lectures but also provides a tactile, visually immersive experience that enriches the understanding of Genesis. The combination of fine art and biblical text opens new pathways of interpretation, making the companion a valuable resource for students engaged in theological and literary study.
Impact: The course companion was well-received by instructors, donors, and students alike. The thoughtfully chosen art pieces, paired with insightful text, offered a richer learning experience, providing both intellectual and emotional engagement. This project underscored the power of combining design with education to deepen understanding and foster a more profound connection to the subject matter.