Shared Waters: London Listens, Book Design and Project Consultation for a Photography Book with a Message

The ‘Shared Waters: London Listens’ Photography Book Project

Shared Waters: London Listens’, is a call to Londoners to reconcile with our current and future relationship to the local river and how our actions are affecting our surrounding First Nations communities. There is a direct cause and effect that Londoners are listening to - and sharing responsibility for.

About the Design

Naming and Wordmark Design

In collaboration with Richard Bain of Binea Press Inc, we created the title “Shared Waters: London Listens.” I designed the Wordmark to illustrate the book's content and establish a hierarchy between the two parts of the name. The flowy, blue text in “Shared Waters” represents water. The capitalized letters depict the importance of the message that London listens to.

The Cover Design

The image on the front cover is of Deshkan Ziibing, also known as the Antler River or the Thames River. The spot of the sun creating rays that appear to watch over the water echoes the spiritual connection that First Nations people have with the land and water, as they are considered sentient beings. This scene helps to inspire respect toward the river and brings attention to its plight.

The back cover features two image stripes with photos depicting people and their relationship to the land and each other. This style is in reference to the two-row wampum treaty agreements that our Nations hold with each other.

The cover design poses the question, what are you doing to sustain the land and water for seven generations to come, as the First Nations people did seven generations ago for us.”

Book Layout Design

I designed the interior pages of the book to be brand compliant with Binea Press Inc. The design was to appear consistent with the past publications produced in this photography book series by the London Chamber of Commerce.

Community Consultations

Alongside Richard Bain, I met with representatives from organizations featured in Shared Waters to discuss their relationship with London’s surrounding First Nations. In each meeting, I asked the question, “What are you doing to end the boil-water advisories in the neighbouring First Nations?”

About the Project

The London Chamber of Commerce partnered with acclaimed photographer Richard Bain and award-winning creative designer Katie Wilhelm to produce a book of photography that will bring into focus Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs, and spaces in and around London. 

It centers on what Katie calls “...our relationship to the local river and how our actions are affecting our surrounding First Nations communities. There is a direct cause and effect that Londoners are listening to - and sharing responsibility for.” 

The book thus centers on themes of reconciliation, collaboration and sustainability and connects intentionally with the City of London's Climate Emergency Action Plan. Readers will also see reflected themes that arose from the London Community Recovery Networks’ recent work.

"Canadian businesses have a moral obligation to take meaningful actions in response to the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, specifically the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action." Graham Henderson, CEO, London Chamber of Commerce. "Accordingly, among other actions, the Chamber has undertaken an Indigenous Community Engagement under the guidance of Dr. Nicole Kaniki and Tia Kennedy. We have also begun to provide education for staff, our Board and our members on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, treaties and Indigenous rights, and Indigenous law." This is just the beginning.

The production and execution of our book is part of the London Chamber of Commerce’s reconciliation process with the Indigenous peoples and businesses in and around London. We are guided in this effort by both Katie and Tia.

Adapted from the London Chamber of Commerce Website

Media Links

• “London photographer's new book offers diverse view of Forest City”,  written by Joe Belanger, London Free Press, December 1, 2022

• Recording: Live Interview with Graham Henderson, CEO, London Chamber of Commerce on 1290 CJBK, December 7, 2022

Testimonial