One Hundred.

I've just (semi-)completed a brief set by ISTD (International Society of Typographic Designers). It was called "100" and the aim of the brief was to produce a piece of design that somehow represented the importance of the number 100.

The number 100 has a certain aura about it; it is a special number. It denotes a whole: one hundred percent. It holds historic significance; a century is a pivotal time frame. The Romans would organise their troops into centuries, with a centurian in charge of them.

There is a town called 'Hundred' in West Virginia, in the USA. I became fascinated with its story; the town gained its name from the story of Henry Church and his wife, the first settlers who lived to be 109 and 106. In the late 19th century, Church would sit on a rocking chair on his porch near the train station. As the train came into the station, people would say "There's old Hundred," referring to his age. Eventually the name stuck and the station, and later- the town- became known as Hundred. This got me thinking; why do some people manage to outlive others to reach such great ages? And is there a way of living that will increase your life span?

This led my research to nurses forums; on which nurses and doctors had posted various different (and somewhat 'cheesy' in most cases) lists of "ways to reach the age of 100". It was this idea that led me to my final response.

I compiled an accordion book, featuring 100 designs that illustrate a selection of some of the tips the nurses had posted on their forums. Although not fully serious, I felt that they were a quirky and somewhat intriguing idea; the idea that the book would inform its audience with ways of improving their lifestyles but in a tongue-in-cheek fashion.