The British Museum’s Silk Roads exhibition was one of its most ambitious in recent years, running from September 2024 to February 2025. Featuring over 300 artefacts from 29 institutions across Asia, Africa, and Europe, it explored the networks of trade, culture, and ideas that shaped civilisations. We were commissioned to design the exhibition’s companion book, working closely with curators to translate its narrative into print.
Our role
We led the cover design and internal layouts in collaboration with curators and editors. Our design ensured that chapter openers, imagery, maps, and essays echoed the exhibition’s curatorial flow, creating a visual rhythm that mirrored the experience of moving through the galleries.
Weaving objects and narratives together
The book brought together objects spanning centuries and continents, requiring a design that balanced variety with academic authority. We used clear typography, consistent image handling, and careful pacing to allow artefacts, maps, and scholarship to sit together in harmony, guiding readers through this complex cultural story.
Impact
The exhibition attracted widespread press coverage. The Guardian called it a “captivating exploration of interconnectedness across continents,” while Reuters highlighted the extraordinary range of artefacts, from Asian ceramics to Byzantine jewellery and ancient chess pieces. By designing the companion book, we extended the life of this landmark exhibition, creating a permanent record of its scale and significance.
