CREATION
About Ver Sacrum Revived
Ver Sacrum Revived is a research-driven editorial and brand experience project inspired by Ver Sacrum, the historic magazine published by the Vienna Secession movement during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The project explores the visual language, symbolism, poetry, and artistic philosophies surrounding the Secessionist movement, Sacred Spring, and the artists who shaped the publication — including Gustav Klimt, Koloman Moser, Alfred Roller, and others.
The goal of the project was not only to preserve and reinterpret the work found within the magazines, but to make the movement more accessible and experiential for a contemporary audience. Through translated poetry, recreated illustrations, editorial design, and collectible print materials, the project reimagines what it would feel like to discover Ver Sacrum today.
CHALLENGE
Reviving a Lost Movement
The largest challenge of this project was the depth of historical research required to authentically represent the movement and publication. Much of the source material existed only in fragmented archives, scanned copies of century-old magazines, and untranslated texts.
The process involved:
-
Researching the Vienna Secession movement and its cultural context
-
Sourcing and combing through digital archives of original Ver Sacrum issues
-
Translating poetry and written works from their original languages into English
-
Reillustrating historical artwork by hand while preserving the integrity of the original compositions
-
Creating a cohesive modern identity system that still felt rooted in the aesthetics of the era
Balancing historical accuracy with contemporary accessibility became a defining aspect of the project.
Illustrations
My Favorite Moments
BRANDING
Logo Variations
Primary Logo
The primary logo for Ver Sacrum Revived draws inspiration directly from the typography and ornamental symbolism found throughout the original Ver Sacrum publications and the Vienna Secession movement. The mark combines hand-crafted Art Nouveau forms with simplified modern structure to create an identity that feels both archival and contemporary.
Icon/Submark
The icon system is inspired by the ornamental motifs and symbolic framing commonly found throughout Ver Sacrum publications and Vienna Secession artwork. Its hand-drawn forms reference nature, symmetry, and decorative craftsmanship while functioning as a modern brand mark across print and packaging applications.
BRANDING
Type Pairings & Colorways
Primary Colors
#000000
#FFFFFF
DELIVERABLES
The Ver Sacrum Experience
The combined deliverables were titled Ver Sacrum: A Gesamtkunstwerk Experience in reference to the German concept of Gesamtkunstwerk, meaning “total work of art” — an artistic philosophy closely associated with the Vienna Secession movement.
Rather than functioning as separate objects, the poetry book, coloring book, stamps, stickers, and branded materials were designed to work together as one immersive artistic experience that blended illustration, literature, design, and interaction into a unified whole.
Animal Motifs
Redrawn & Reimagined
DELIVERABLES
Sticker Sheets & Stamps
The sticker sheets and physical stamps were created from original illustrations inspired by the animal motifs and decorative imagery found throughout Ver Sacrum magazines.
Each piece was hand-drawn and reinterpreted in a style that reflected the flowing linework and organic symbolism characteristic of the Vienna Secession movement.
These tactile elements were designed to make the experience feel interactive and collectible, transforming historical artwork into usable creative tools.
By incorporating stamps and stickers into the package, the project encouraged audiences to engage with the movement in a hands-on way — similar to creating within the artistic world of Ver Sacrum itself.
DELIVERABLES
Packaging
The packaging for Ver Sacrum: A Gesamtkunstwerk Experience was designed to extend the immersive and collectible nature of the project beyond the printed materials themselves. Inspired by the decorative patterns, organic linework, and handcrafted aesthetics of the Vienna Secession movement, the packaging transforms the collection into an object that feels archival, tactile, and intentionally curated.
The structure and materials were kept minimal and natural to reflect the handcrafted qualities of the original Ver Sacrum publications, while the custom illustrated patterns and branding elements helped unify the entire experience system.
Designed to resemble a specialty art or museum gift package, the final packaging reinforces the project’s goal of making historical art movements feel interactive, accessible, and contemporary.
FINAL PUBLICATION
A Coloring Book for Adults
The coloring book transforms reillustrated artwork from Ver Sacrum into an interactive experience, encouraging viewers to engage directly with the intricate linework and decorative style of the Vienna Secession movement.
Designed as both an educational and collectible piece, it allows audiences to experience the artwork through participation rather than observation alone.
FINAL PUBLICATION
A Collection of Poetry
The poetry book features translated selections inspired by or sourced from original Ver Sacrum publications, reinterpreted through contemporary editorial design.
The goal was to preserve the emotional and artistic atmosphere of the movement while making the writing more accessible to modern audiences.