Heung-Min Son: 400 Appearances

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FOOTBALL CLUB

I was tasked with the design and layout of a 200 page commemorative book and display box, presented to Tottenham Hotspur captain Heung-Min Son on the occasion of his 400th club appearance.

As a present for a club legend, the design needed to be very personal and considered. The inner pages of the book feature small details such as Hangul page numbering and titling. I also used a hand-illustrated interpretation of Sonny’s signature celebration as a text break on pages where there was a large body of written content. In finishing, we opted for a variety of stock to break up sections of the book, using quotes from fellow professionals on trace pages overlaid on related imagery.

For an extra personal touch, we commissioned an Manhwa-style illustration of Sonny’s Puskas Award-winning goal against Burnley from artist Eoin Brady. This made a beautiful and eye catching double page spread, and was also used as a decorative wrap for the inside of the presentation box. Several of our in-house team members also contributed individual page designs and illustrations to celebrate key moments in his career.

Sonny was delighted to receive the book, presented to him at the Training Centre in the week following his 400th appearance. A special content feature was filmed, with the book as the centrepiece, as he talked through his memories and best moments at the club.

Year

2024

Project Type

GRAPHIC DESIGN | EDITORIAL DESIGN

Presentation Box

The presentation box features a gold-foiled Spurs cockerel alongside the Korean 사백, which translates as four hundred in Hangul. As a proud countryman, it was important to acknowledge Sonny's nationality to give the gift a truly personal feel.

Inside Illustration

We commissioned a double page spread illustration from Eoin Brady (@bradyink). This was to be drawn in a traditional Korean Manhwa style, and told story of Sonny's goal vs Burnley in 2020, for which he was awarded the prestigious Puskás Award.

This illustration featured in full colour in a later section of the book, but was also utilised in a monotone Spurs navy on the inside of the presentation box.

Cover

The front cover of the book itself is a composition-based design incorporating the form of the Hangul four hundred. It features a compilation of celebratory shots from throughout Sonny's career. The text and cockerel are foiled in gold.

Details

The inner pages of the book feature small details such as Hangul page numbering and titling. I also used a hand-illustrated interpretation of Sonny's signature celebration as a text break on pages where there was a large body of written content. In finishing, we opted for a variety of stock to break up sections of the book, using quotes from fellow professionals on trace pages overlaid on related imagery.