CLIENT BOOK IN A BOX
CONTEXT BACHELOR PROJECT
ROLE BRAND ARCHITECT, LEAD RESEARCHER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER

INITIAL BRIEF

For my bachelor project in Creative Branding, I developed a comprehensive brand strategy and visual identity for Book in a Box, a Danish subscription service offering premium fantasy and romantasy titles. Founded in 2023 with the release of Fourth Wing, the company is driven by the founder’s personal passion for literature and has since grown into a small entrepreneurial team. The project addresses the challenge of standing out in a competitive, international market shaped by established players and hype-driven communities.

Using a structured design process, I led the project end-to-end—from research and strategy to concept and visual execution. Through interviews, competitor analysis, and trend research, I translated qualitative insights into a clear positioning, resulting in a refined brand platform, manifesto, and a conceptual direction rooted in analog aesthetics.

RESEARCH

BOOKTOK MADE ME BUY IT

As of early 2025, #BookTok has surpassed 370 billion views, making it a major force in publishing and entertainment. Romance (44%) and fantasy (22%) dominate the platform, driving the rise of “romantasy” and fueling demand for collectible book boxes from brands like Fairyloot, Owlcrate, Bookish Box, and Illumicrate. This puts Book in a Box in a competitive but opportunity-rich position, where standing out requires more than following hype-driven trends.

Research revealed a key tension: while Book in a Box is built on strong values of community and artistic integrity, it struggles to scale against larger competitors. At the same time, consumer insights showed that fantasy readers see books as both escapism and identity, yet often feel stigma around their preferences. Combined with growing digital fatigue and a desire for more meaningful, analog experiences, this highlighted a clear opportunity to position the brand around emotional value, ownership, and a more intentional, long-lasting connection to books.

BRAND
STRATEGY

 

CORE DEMOGRAPHIC

Avid readered between the ages 25 to 35, primarily women

WHY WE’RE DIFFERENT

We’re the accessible option with a longevity oriented approach – because a well-written story is universally appealing, no matter what the hypecycles are currently uplifting.

WHAT DO WE VALUE THE MOST

Good reading experiences, reliability and simply good handcraft. 

WHAT DO WE DO

What we offer is a curation of excellent reading experiences, to both broaden your horizont and to decorate your shelf. 

WHY ARE WE HERE

Because fantasy readeres need a space where their taste does not need justification. 

OUR AMBITION

The ambition is simple: to become the best and most beloved curator and tastemaker in the fantasy and romantasy genre. 

VISUAL IDENTITY

The visual world of this project draws from thethe patina of antique shops. A touch of whimsygoth softens the overall darkness with a subtle, dreamlike quality, adding a quiet enchantment that balances the heavier elements and allows the space to feel both grounded and magical. An essential inspiration discussed was also gilmore girls and dark academia. 

Wanna chat?