Artist/designer Joana Lira sent me this book which documents all of the work she created for the Recife Carnival in Brazil. With bright colorful patterns, character designs, and graphics, she really transformed the streets into a festive place. Her designs started as 2D sketches but were then reproduced at enormous proportions, made into huge parade size balloons, lanterns, banners, and papier-mache creations. This book shows her flat graphics alongside the spectacular decorations they became. I wish I could read more about the process, the text is in Portuguese. But seeing the sketches she’s included along with the final images, you can see how the designs really made the party!- a party I sure wish I could have attended! Learn more about Joana’s work here.

© Julia Rothman 2007