This little black bomb of a book is characterised by a radical design choice. Not only all of the images, but the whole of the book is printed in negative. A choice that clearly complements the theme of bootlegging (or ‘unauthorised usage’). Questions surrounding ownership, what constitutes lawful or unlawful use of material and licences, are a perennial feature of the art and graphic design worlds. 2023 however was exceptional, given the proliferation of generative tools – ChatGPT (launched in November 2022) being both the trailblazer and the black sheep among these – concerning which it is generally still unclear what and whose material these are making legal or illegal use of. Seen within this context, UNLICENSED is a refreshing, creative exploration.
This pocket-sized paperback rests lightly in the hand, and with its laminated cover feels good. The gleaming, double printed black cover contrasts well with the interior printed on uncoated paper, which almost tends towards grey. The laser cut-out on the front, reading ‘UNLICENSED’ diagonally across the cover, is a nice finishing touch.