The Portfolio of Justin Muñoz.
PROJECT.

Be Your Own Icon :
Art Book

A comprehensive art book I designed and produced to honor the life, work, and legacy of my friend, the late artist Nicholai Khan. Designed in close collaboration with art advisor Raquel Cohen, this book was a deeply personal mission to create a definitive volume that could encapsulate his immense talent and infectious spirit. The project culminated in a memorial art exhibition we produced at One Art Space in NYC, where the book was premiered, serving as the centerpiece of a celebration of his life with his friends, family, and the broader art community.

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PhotographyGraphic Design
Go To Project URL https://oneartspace.com/product/be-your-own-icon-nicholai-khan-art-book-limited-edition/
Client(s)
Nicholai Khan Estate
Industry
Fine Art
My Roles
Graphic Designer
Photographer
Software
Adobe Indesign
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Lightroom
Team
Designer : Justin Muñoz
Designer : Raquel Cohen
Photographer : Justin Muñoz
Photographer : Stella Isabella Zoumis
Photographer : Angie LMV

Published By: One Art Space

The Challenge

This project was, first and foremost, an immense emotional challenge. It required navigating the profound grief of losing a close friend while simultaneously assuming the immense responsibility of curating his legacy. The process began with an exhaustive and often painful dive into my personal archives, sorting through years of documentary photography that I had captured while following his life and career. The goal was to find the images that not only showed him as an artist but truly captured the essence of who he was as a person.

Beyond the personal photography, I needed to sort through all of the archival photos I shot of his artwork to showcase his artistic mastery. To give the book his authentic voice, I sifted through his Instagram account, extracting his own words, philosophies, and quotes from his heroes. The content was vast, as he was an early adopter of Instagram when it first launched. The final design challenge was to synthesize these different elements of candid photos, professional art plates, and raw personal text into a cohesive and powerful narrative. The design had to be bold, vibrant, and unapologetic, a true reflection of his personality and his deeply held belief in rejecting the "starving artist" trope.

The Outcome

The final book, "Be Your Own Icon," is more than a catalog; it is an immersive, vibrant, and intimate chronicle of Nicholai Khan's journey. It successfully weaves together the story of the artist and the man, creating a lasting document of his powerful work, his infectious personality, and his unwavering belief in inspiring others. The design is a direct reflection of his spirit: bold, creative, and full of life, telling a story that I know he would have been proud of.

Premiering the book at his memorial exhibition was an incredibly moving experience. It provided a tangible focal point for the community, allowing his friends, family, and collectors to hold a piece of his legacy in their hands. It served as a catalyst for sharing memories and celebrating his life, turning a moment of collective grief into a powerful tribute. The book now stands as the definitive record of his artistic contributions and, more importantly, as a lasting testament to a brilliant and inspiring soul who left an indelible mark on everyone he met.

This book is available through One Art Space. Click Here

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“Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what was almost ripe.”
- Lao Tzu