SugarcoatedOver the past 20 years, manufacturers of the drug Ecstasy have been improving the way they produce pill designs to keep their product fresh. Sugarcoated examines design trends in ecstasy and other recreational drugs. Aimed at audiences interested in rave history and design, the publication showcases collected imagery of ecstasy pills documented during research. The title Sugarcoated references the deceptive nature of these designs—pills are stamped with distinctive logos, colours, and motifs to imply branding or quality, despite their contents remaining unknown to users. This intersection of illicit marketing, pop culture borrowing, and secretive production creates a visually charged story.
The publication features an iridescent cover with a holographic vinyl-cut title, bound with spine tape—its script typeface playfully echoing the ‘Sugarcoated’ theme. Packaged in a plastic bag mimicking ecstasy distribution, the design includes transparent paper printed with pill imagery as opener/closer pages, repeated on the contents spread and throughout as a recurring graphic motif.