Conversations with a Lighthouse

This project responds to the Lighthouses of the World brief by focusing on South Africa’s coastal heritage, with particular emphasis on the iconic Green Point Lighthouse in Cape Town. The goal was to celebrate these historic structures and their enduring connection to the ocean, sailors, and local culture.

The outcome is a publication that merges education with artistry. Structured around five stories of South African lighthouses, the content blends factual history with more personal, narrative-driven accounts, offering readers both insight and emotional resonance.

The opening chapter, A Story About a Lighthouse, personifies the Green Point Lighthouse in a poetic dialogue with the sea. This conversational approach humanizes the structure, transforming it from a static landmark into a living presence within the coastal landscape. The design direction supports this narrative: type manipulation echoes the rhythm of waves, organic line work reflects the fluidity of the ocean, and a restrained color palette maintains clarity while evoking maritime simplicity.

The publication is positioned as both a souvenir and an educational tool for visitors to South Africa. It invites readers to discover the country’s lighthouses not just as navigational aids, but as symbols of resilience, heritage, and human connection to the sea.

Conversations with a Lighthouse ultimately reimagines South Africa’s lighthouses as more than functional structures. Through design, storytelling, and cultural context, the project elevates them into integral parts of the coastal experience, inspiring both locals and tourists to engage with their history and beauty.