Created by poet Eliza O’Toole in collaboration with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the publication draws attention to fifty five species of UK moth listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable within the Red Data Book. Rather than approaching the subject through scientific reporting or conservation data, the project uses poetry, design and physical print to encourage readers to engage with a species group that is often overlooked despite its importance within the natural world.
The concept extends far beyond the words on the page.
Every element of the publication has been carefully considered to reinforce the subject matter and emotional weight of the work.
The striking Bright Red Colorplan cover immediately references the Red Data Book itself, using colour as a visual warning. Rather than relying on foil or overt embellishment, the title is blind debossed into the surface, creating a subtle interaction between light, shadow and texture. The result feels restrained, thoughtful and appropriately serious.
Open the book and the narrative continues.
Black Ebony endpapers introduce a dramatic contrast, reflecting the darkness in which moths live and fly. Throughout the publication, imagery and typography work together to create an atmosphere that feels both beautiful and fragile, echoing the species the book seeks to highlight. According to Eliza O’Toole, even the binding method was chosen to support the story, with the black singer sewn thread intended to reference the traditional practice of pinning and displaying moth specimens whilst simultaneously acting as a symbol of mourning for species that have already been lost.
From a production perspective, the project demonstrates how simplicity can often create the greatest impact.
The 208 x 252mm format provides generous space for the poetry and imagery, whilst Mohawk Superfine White Smooth stock delivers exceptional readability and reproduction quality. Digital white ink on the black endpapers allows text and imagery to emerge from darkness, creating a visual rhythm that reinforces the subject matter throughout the publication. The singer sewn binding enables the pages to open beautifully flat, encouraging a more immersive reading experience.
What makes Red Fifty Five particularly compelling is that the physical book becomes part of the message itself.
This isn’t simply a publication about conservation.
The materials, colours, textures and construction all contribute to the storytelling. The object becomes an extension of the content, creating a deeper emotional connection between the reader and the subject matter.
In an increasingly digital world, projects like this demonstrate the unique ability of print to create meaningful experiences. The weight of the cover, the texture of the stock, the opening of the pages and the permanence of the finished piece all contribute to something that would be impossible to replicate on a screen.
With just 150 copies produced, Red Fifty Five was never intended to be a mass market publication. Instead, it was created as a carefully crafted object designed to be kept, revisited and shared. More than a book, it is a reminder that thoughtful design and exceptional print production still have the power to bring important stories to life.
Discover the Story Behind Red Fifty Five
Whilst the book itself is a beautifully crafted object, Red Fifty Five is ultimately part of a much wider conservation project.
Created by Eliza O’Toole, the publication shines a light on fifty five threatened moth species found across the UK, using poetry, design and visual storytelling to encourage a deeper appreciation of species that often go unnoticed.
The accompanying short film explores the inspiration behind the project, the creative process and the conservation message that sits at its heart.
Watch the Film
Learn More
Read more about the project and its conservation aims:
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/blog/suffolk-wildlife-trust/red-fifty-five
Eliza O’Toole
https://muscaliet.co.uk/red-fifty-five
Projects such as Red Fifty Five demonstrate how print can do far more than communicate information. When thoughtful design, meaningful content and exceptional production come together, the finished piece becomes part of the story itself.
For Dayfold, it represents the type of project we enjoy most. One where craftsmanship, materials and production quality are used to support an important message and create something designed to be treasured long after it has been read.
