For this project, I was tasked with creating a recipe book that marries contemporary elements with a touch of nostalgia, evoking the essence of classic cookbooks.
Beef Stroganoff
Swedish meatballs
I faced many possibilities, somewhat uncertain about where to begin. My vision was clear, though—I aimed to create a cookbook reminiscent of the 1970s. Turning to ChatGPT, I sought ideas for iconic dishes from that era, and it provided me with an array of options. Ultimately, I settled on beef stroganoff and meatballs as the featured recipes.
One distinctive feature of the 1970s was the visual style of food in advertising, often characterized by a somewhat artificial appearance. In keeping with that spirit, I deliberately chose to eschew online imagery. Instead, I leveraged Adobe Firefly to generate custom images that perfectly aligned with the nostalgic vibe I sought to capture.
Front Cover
Beef Stroganoff
Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Swedish Meatballs
Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Back Cover
I made a deliberate choice to employ ChatGPT as my resource for both recipe content and the creation of the cookbook's back cover. This decision significantly streamlined the process and offered a level of assistance that, in the past, would have presented formidable challenges.
I opted to curate my color palette through Adobe Color, kicking off the selection process by exploring retro-themed hues. I aimed to capture the warm and subtly muted tones reminiscent of the 1970s era, infusing my project with that laid-back, vintage vibe.
Front and Back Cover with Spine
Swedish Meatballs
Texture played a crucial role in my creative process. When considering the aesthetics of old photographs, the distinct graininess imparted by film always comes to mind. I integrated this texture into the AI-generated images to maintain that vintage essence, ensuring the book retained its aged appearance.
In the case of the cover, I introduced a specific texture to emphasize the unique tactile feel associated with vintage-style books, in contrast to the smoother surfaces of contemporary publications. This blending of textures added an authentic touch to the project, seamlessly fusing the old with the new.
