Perverted Norm, Normal Pervert

Background
Perverted Norm, Normal Pervert is the artist Kuang-Yi Ku’s project inspired by scientific research and explores the normality and abnormality of sexual activities among humans and snails. 

I was invited to collaborate with Ku and a scientist Joris M. Koene to explore the appearance, gender, and related data of snails and humans. I edited the structure of the book, created the illustrations, and designed the book binding. The project started as a handmade book in 2022 and was later published by Limestone Books in 2024.

Concept Development
This bilingual book focuses on gender fluidity. Through black-and-white illustrations, it is divided into four chapters that explore the reproductive systems, structures, and mating positions of snails and humans. The cover design reflects the artist’s exploration of the idea of “normal” (正常）and “abnormal”（變態） by reversing the order of the Traditional Chinese characters in “變態的正常.” 

The book has two special printing details. On the cover, I used hot foil stamping to show the reflective slime of a snail, as if a snail had just crawled across the cover. The other detail comes from the fluorescent ink, which unexpectedly reveals a nocturnal ecosystem under UV light.

Award
The book design was selected for Tokyo TDC 2022 and was selected for The Best Dutch Book Designs 2023 and exhibited at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam from October 17, 2024, to January 5, 2025.