Joe SalterWork
The Book: In The Groove







April 2025
B5
114 Pages ‘In The Groove: A Brief Adventure into Drums’, is my response to the brief, ‘Everything About One Thing’. The book explores a wide, varied range of topics from the technical and social history of drumming to their representation in film. 

Having played the drums for around 8 years now, the topic is close to my heart; I know how drumming brings people together, crafting unique communities as well as huge cultural events. The book explores this, delving into different communities as well as asking individual drummers how their craft shapes their lives. Each drummer is different, they enjoy different styles, different rhythms, and different ways of playing; the book also delves into this, looking at the evolution of different genres and practices; exploring how the drummers that came before us have shaped the eclectic musical world we see today. Understanding modern drumming and all its complexities would be impossible without knowing the building blocks of the instrument that we see today.

The opening chapter, ‘What’s That Racket’ aims to aanswer any questions a reader may have when it comes to the origins of drumming, investigating how the use and purpose of drums evolved overtime, how drums actually work and finally the types of drums.

The overall aim of the book is to be an accessible read for anyone who’s interested in drumming. Although some dry content at times, there’s light-hearted sections that keep the book from feeling too dense, like cheerful tutorials that teach beginners some simple beats, or personal stories which detail drummers’ worst gig experiences! Body Stock








Chapter Breaks








Covers









Typeface
The body stock is Munken Design: Lynx Rough Natural White, 120gsm. I chose this paper stock due to its natural quality and feel, representing the often-tactile nature of drums, like a worn drumhead for example. Furthermore, its natural white shade ‘bring images to completion’, making it ideal for my book as there’s lots of imagery. 





Chapter breaks also use Munken Design, however, using the Kristall Smooth True White variant. This was to create a clear divide between chapters through a change in texture and feel. 






The covers were printed on the same paper, at 300gsm. This creates a contrast to the paper inside, but also represents drums’ rapid technological advancements in the last 100 or so years, where modern technology allows muscians to create whatever they want; from sleek to rough.






Dinamo’s ‘Social’ felt like a natural choice this publication. Described as a “multi-people, multi-width mega collaboration made by many eyes and many players”, the construction of Social perfectly mirrors the way in which music is created and enjoyed, making for a harmonious visual complement to the subject matter.

Music is one of the most diverse, expressive art forms, allowing for immense creativity. The typeface should reflect this; Social’s freely designed forms and rounded shapes also go hand in hand with drumming, and music as a whole. Its playful yet intentional structure echoes the spontaneity of a drum fill or the groove of a well-locked rhythm section. 

Just as no two performances are ever the same, Social embraces variation and adaptability, offering a wide range of widths and styles that can shift in tone without losing coherence. This flexibility makes it an ideal visual voice for a publication centred on rhythm and expression. In this way, Social doesn’t just accompany the content; it actively participates in the performance.