look don’t
touch
In Look Don’t Touch, I created a 125-page book of scanned textures that transform everyday objects into something abstract and unrecognizable. Using a scanner, I captured items like baked beans, a knitted scarf, plastic wrap, and an aluminum baking pan, then zoomed in so closely that their original identities became obscured. My goal was to build a “library” of textures I could use in future projects, but the process led me to see these familiar materials in entirely new ways.
Tags: Graphic Design, Photography, Typography, Book Design
What started as practical resource-building turned into a playful exploration of texture and perception. The scanned images strip objects of their function, turning them into patterns, shapes, and surfaces that feel strange and unfamiliar. At the same time, I wanted to balance this sense of mystery with humor. The book includes an index at the back that reveals each object with silly, lighthearted names, bringing the viewer back to reality in an unexpected way.
The scanner became my main tool for this project, allowing me to capture detail while flattening physical objects into two-dimensional images. I loved how this process took everyday materials and made them digital, abstract, and full of new possibilities. The final book feels complete on its own, but it also serves as a resource for future work—these textures could find their way into digital designs, collages, or experimental projects down the road.
