CREAMY
JAIN MODI.
Vayu: A Peculiar Gas
Self-initiated project for the Book Design course at the National Institute of Design, Andhra Pradesh
SECTOR
Children’s Publishing · Social Awareness · Editorial Design
Growing up in a family that lived through the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, I always felt a quiet connection to this story. Creating a children’s book about it became my way of preserving those memories with care and simplicity.​
​
I wanted to introduce this part of history to children in a way that felt honest but not frightening. Instead of focusing on the tragedy itself, the story follows Vayu, a curious and unusual little gas who drifts through the city and notices small changes around him. Through his eyes, young readers gently understand how an event can affect people, places, and everyday life without being exposed to anything overwhelming.
​
The visual language was designed to feel soft and safe. Rounded shapes, calm colours, and friendly characters help balance the seriousness of the subject. Each spread was composed with clarity, guiding early readers through the story without burdening them. The layout and typography follow a simple rhythm so the book feels open and approachable.
​
My aim was not to retell the tragedy in detail, but to spark awareness and empathy. Children outside Madhya Pradesh often never hear about the incident, and I wanted this book to serve as a gentle introduction to something that opens conversation rather than closing it with fear.​
Working on Vayu: A Peculiar Gas taught me how design can hold space for difficult stories. It showed me that even sensitive topics can be made accessible when treated with respect, softness, and intention. And it reminded me that storytelling for children is not about simplifying the truth, but about delivering it with care.