Open Adebiet. Open-source kazakh literature
Background
In summer 2024, I spent extensive time in the National Library researching books published in Almaty during the 1970s. Their exceptional design and handmade illustrations reflected what seemed to be a golden era of graphic design in the city. Coinciding with a period when Kazakhstan (as part of the Soviet Union) was one of the leading countries in engineering, architecture, construction, and design.
While exploring the library, I noticed that many books from classic Kazakh writers had never been digitized. In general, public access to Kazakh literature was limited, with most titles locked behind paid subscriptions. To address this, I decided to launch a side project to make these works freely available. I chose Instagram for its large local audience and decided to present the books in the platform’s stories format. The visual style drew from the 1970s’ design heritage – timeless Swiss-inspired layouts, simple color palettes, and strong typography.
Outcome
After 2 months, I closed the project due to limited audience engagement and the time commitment it required. While short-lived, it deepened my appreciation for Kazakhstan’s design legacy and highlighted the challenges of bringing cultural projects to a modern audience.
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Teammates (in ABC order)
Tota Kalzhan, Zarina Baimussina
Software
Adobe Illustrator