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Liam Wong
TO:KY:OO

A photographic, cyberpunk-inspired exploration of nocturnal Tokyo

  • Funding ended
  • 2634 backers
  • $168,711.78 of $35,973.00 pledged
Funded 468%
  • Funding ended
  • 2634 backers
  • $168,711.78 of $35,973.00 pledged
Funded 468%

Overview

‘Photography has taken me out of my comfort zone, led me around the world, connected me with people, opportunities and helped unlock creativity within me that I never knew existed,’ so describes one of the youngest ever videogame art director’s new-found passion. Born in Edinburgh, educated in computer arts at Dundee’s University of Abertay (a cauldron of videogame talent), transplanted to Canada to work at Ubisoft at the age of 25, Liam Wong was always destined to produce eye-catching work of substance and originality. His videogame work took him for the first time to Tokyo, where he discovered the ethereality of floating worlds and lurid allure of its nocturnal scenes. ‘I got lost in the beauty of Tokyo at night,’ he explains.

When an opportunity to take a break from his design work presented itself, he picked up his camera and headed to Japan in 2015. Through the combination of self-taught camera work, the influence of creative masters such as Syd Mead and Hideo Kojima, his videogame designer’s eye and the development of his own software techniques, he created images that render Tokyo’s particular nightlife in a surreal form all his own.

His visions have earned him global attention from international news outlets, and legions of fans across social media, the videogame world, photographers and designers alike. TO:KY:OO captures a unique body of work by a uniquely talented artist and designer.

Genre

Photography

Designer

Darren Wall

Specification

280 x 220 mm (upright)
256 pages
Two panoramic gatefolds
Printing in 7 colours

Rewards

Book

A copy of TO:KY:OO

  • Your name in the book
  • Exclusive updates

Closed$45.00

Book Signed

A copy of TO:KY:OO, signed by Liam Wong

  • Your name in the book
  • Exclusive updates
  • Personally inscribed by the author
  • Custom-designed tote bag

Closed$60.00

Book + signed poster

A copy of TO:KY:OO and a 60 x 40 cm print of Memories in Green, both signed by Liam Wong

  • Your name in the book
  • Exclusive updates
  • Personally inscribed by the author
  • Large-scale gallery-quality print
  • Custom-designed tote bag

Closed$100.00

Special Edition

A deluxe edition of TO:KY:OO, signed by Liam Wong

  • Your name in the book
  • Exclusive updates
  • Personally inscribed by the author
  • Custom-designed tote bag
  • Exclusive neon slipcase

Closed$160.00

Online workshop

A signed copy of TO:KY:OO, and a private online workshop with Liam Wong

  • Your name in the book
  • Exclusive updates
  • Custom-designed tote bag
  • One-on-one interaction with the author
  • Develop your own photography work and exchange tips

Closed$380.00

Book Early Bird

A copy of TO:KY:OO

  • Discounted price
  • Your name in the book
  • Exclusive updates

Sold out$40.00

The works

A signed deluxe edition of TO:KY:OO, signed 60 x 40 cm print of Memories in Green, and a private online workshop with Liam Wong

  • All previous rewards

Sold out$510.00

All pledges will be refunded in full if the funding goal is not met within the allotted time.

The Book

‘I want to take real moments and transform them into something surreal, to make the viewer question the reality depicted in each photograph. This body of work encompasses my three years as a photographer and ultimately the completion of my debut photo series,’ writes Wong.

A testament to the deep art of colour composition, this publication – art directed by Wong himself and produced to the highest printing standard – brings together a complete and refined body of images that are evocative, timeless and completely transporting. Rounding out the book’s special treatment is the first publication use of the 45/90 font, designed by Henrik Kubel, of London-based A2-TYPE.

The book also features a section that reveals the creative and technical process of Wong’s method, from identifying the right scene to composition, from capturing the essence of a moment to enhancing colour values and deepening an image’s impact – insights are invaluable to admirers and photography enthusiasts alike.

Wong’s grasp of story illustrated as a ‘place to be’ is remarkable. I applaud the balance of brilliant colour, precise placement of picture elements, and the overall exhibition of expert technique.

Syd Mead, Visual Futurist (Blade Runner, Aliens, Tron)

Special Edition

Volume will produce a deluxe special edition of TO:KY:OO, with an exclusive cover design featuring the phrase ‘the beauty of night’ in Japanese type embossed on real cloth, and housed within a fluorescent plastic slipcase that evokes the neon lightscapes of Tokyo’s nighttime scenes.

This edition is only available during the limited funding period: true fans of Wong’s visions will not want to miss out on this exceptional and covetable production.

Liam’s ‘photos’ are not just photos. In his ‘photos’, you can feel what cannot be normally seen, layered structures of evolutions and decadence of the cities, the atmosphere of the people who had lived and died there. A single ‘photo’ holds a balanced harmony of beauty and the disordered.

Hideo Kojima, Game Creator (Death Stranding, Metal Gear Solid, Snatcher)

Choose your rewards

To fully enter the world of Wong’s photography, Volume supporters have a variety of ways to participate. The first is with a limited-edition poster, signed by Wong, that will animate any setting or space.

Perhaps the most exceptional offering connected with backers of the book is an opportunity to connect with Liam Wong directly, through a private 30-minute one-on-one online session, to review your own work, to learn insights on techniques and composition, or simply to share experiences of Tokyo with Wong himself. For photography enthusiasts seeking feedback, or for visually minded creatives of any persuasion, an encounter with Wong will surely change the way you see the world. Limited to five backers.

And for those seeking the complete TO:KY:OO package, Volume offers the Works: a signed collector’s edition, signed poster and a one-on-one online session with the master himself.

With an aesthetic inspired by science fiction classic Blade Runner and directors such as Gaspar Noe and Wong Kar-wai, a move into film surely can’t be far away.

BBC

Meet the author

Liam Wong is an award-winning art director, currently based in Japan. Graphic Designer, Game Developer and Photographer, he is best known for defining, designing and directing visual identities and was listed as one of Forbes magazine’s influential 30 under 30.

Benefactor names

14 comments

We’re delighted to report that the design and layout for TO:KY:OO is now complete and we are currently in the last stages of editing the the text – including a stirring essay from Liam, that reflects upon his discovery of photography, his equipment and techniques, and the varied stylistic influences that underpin his bold and instantly recognisable aesthetic. As the project nears completion, we are beginning to compile and typeset the list of benefactors to be included in the book, cataloguing the names of the backers who helped to make this book a reality.

To submit or update your benefactor name, please log in to the ‘Account’ section on our website, then select ‘Account Details’. Here you will notice the ‘Benefactor Name’ field. The final deadline for name submissions is the 12 July, this Friday, so please ensure you have submitted your benefactor name by this date.

For those who do not respond by this date, we will use your account name. If you’d prefer us to omit your name entirely, please let me know at dw@vol.co. I’ll be returning to your inbox soon with a full update and fixed shipping details – as always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.

Darren Wall
Volume

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14 Replies to “Benefactor names”

  1. kruzrivera

    I actually received the email for the benefactor name change today July 23. Changed it. Can’t wait for to see how everything comes out.

  2. Stefano Marelli

    No notification and no email was sent, so most of us didn’t know in time the requirement to fill the Benefactor Name. I just updated mine, I hope something can be done.

    1. Darren Wall Editor

      Hi Stefano. We held back on setting the Benefactor names, and I sent another reminder last week via email. Did you receive the mail? Feel free to email me directly at dw@vol.co with your name if you’d prefer.

  3. kittboon

    i just happened to check this page and panicked as I saw the deadline has passed! I added my benefactor name now, I hope something can be done.

    1. Darren Wall Editor

      Hi, please don’t worry, we received it safe and sound! Please email me at dw@vol.co if you’d like any further help.

  4. trashymctrash

    Hi guys,

    Also a bit late, I just changed (to an appropriate) name now!

  5. Gerda-Katrina Samm

    Hello! Sama question!
    I updated the name today. I hope it wasn’t too late…

    1. Darren Wall Editor

      Not at all! We held on for a little longer to allow everyone time to reply. We have it safe and sound.

  6. theboss.luis

    Hi. Only saw now this message, its possible to add my name?

    1. Darren Wall Editor

      Hi! Did you manage to submit your Benefactor name? I can do it manually for you if you email me at dw@vol.co – just let me know.

  7. Liam Wong Creator

    For anyone who purchased multiple copies – get in touch

    1. Liam Wong Creator

      (and would like to list other benefactor names, Darren will be the point of contact)

  8. Darren Wall Editor

    Apologies! Yes we mean this Friday, 12 July.

  9. guegadend

    12 June?
    Didn’t you mean 12 July?

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