National Geographic
Fire of Love

Advertising

Extending a seismic love
story from
screen to print

An Academy Award® nominee for Best Documentary Feature, Fire of Love is a poetic tribute to the pioneering volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, celebrating their lives and contributions. To promote the film, we created a captivating coffee table book that beautifully captures the Kraffts’ deep affection for each other—and their profound connection to the natural world—using stunning imagery carefully selected from their remarkable archive. The finished book, distinguished by its top-tier printing methods and high-quality production, effectively heightened the film’s visibility among film critics and the press.

CHALLENGE
Craft a limited edition companion piece to share with critics and press to reinforce the film’s poignant impact and accolades.

INSIGHT
The Kraffts’ own words thread a narrative that brings powerful imagery to life through their unique philosophical lens, mirroring the experience the documentary delivers in sound and footage.

APPROACH
Fire of Love’s most powerful imagery is fiery and arresting. The book shell brings that dynamic drama to the forefront, using color and texture to invoke lava flowing against volcanic rock. With carefully curated full-page imagery, the enclosed book creates delightful juxtapositions and situates the Kraffts as they lived—as natural forms belonging to their volcanic landscapes.

“We had a big idea for Fire of Love to produce a premium, collector's item photo book. Suzy and team jumped on the assignment, were incredibly creative and innovative, were flexible with our ideas, worked seamlessly with our directors on their feedback, and produced one of the items I am most proud of for the entire campaign.” Chris Albert Executive Vice President, Marketing & Communications, National Geographic Documentary Films

 

EXECUTION
The matte-coated box plays against super glossy UV-coated lava imagery on the box interior and book cover, and a foil-stamped title pops off the matte black field. Opening the cover reveals a reflective foil board title spread—conjuring the space-age protective gear worn by Katia and Maurice Krafft—and a contrasting matte red title stamp.

A STRIKING PERSPECTIVE
Images in the Fire of Love book were compiled from motion footage and the Kraffts’ photo archive, combined to invoke the couples’ unique point of view as scientists and human beings experiencing nature in extreme and inspiring conditions. The books are limited edition and hand-numbered, honoring the Kraffts’ legacy, energy, and outlook.

COLORING BOOK
In addition to the coffee table book, we created a Fire of Love coloring book, a unique item given away at select bookstores nationwide to spark awareness of the documentary. The book featured hand-drawn versions of images found in the coffee table book, accompanied by large quotes from the Kraffts, all of which can be colored in. It offered a novel, engaging way to interact with the source material, styled with a vintage flair that matched the era of the Kraffts’ volcanic exploration.

 

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