Contribuições do design para uma melhor experiência de leitura da Bíblia

Abstract

According to Brown (2006), it is uncommon to think of the Bible as a book whose content was formed immediately. Instead, it is understood as a historical result, shaped by numerous design changes aimed at making its consultation and reading more efficient for its audience. This study seeks to answer the question: How can design contribute to a better reading experience of the Bible? Is it possible to develop a solution that respects its long-established structure while incorporating innovations to enhance its usability? The objective of this research is to present design contributions to improve the reading experience of a specific section of the Bible: the Gospel of John. The methodological process begins with a historical overview, highlighting editorial parameters that have changed over time. These parameters are then analyzed within the context of the Brazilian Bible publishing market, identifying subdivisions and characteristics found in current editions. From this analysis, problems related to readability are identified, based on criteria defined by editorial design. These reflections support the central problematization and guide the definition of design criteria for the project. As a result, the study develops an editorial proposal for the Gospel of John, covering initial decisions such as text treatment and typographic studies, up to the creation of a physical prototype, including layout design and materiality. The research highlights that designing a Bible requires defining which qualities should be prioritized and how they should be hierarchized, since emphasizing one aspect may directly affect another.