Klaus Pichler: A Hoax, a Prank, an Internet Scam, an act of Agricultural Bio-Terrorism — Book Design

In July 2020, the US Department of Agriculture began investigating the unsolicited mailings of 19,813 seed packages received by individuals across all US states. After seven months, the cause was identified as a Brush Scam by Chinese online marketplace sellers to boost their seller rankings.

Klaus Pichler’s book delves into the mystery seeds case, exploring the emergence of conspiracy myths and the role of social media in their spread.

From the cover design throughout the book core, the focus lies on the involuntary protagonists of the case: the plant seeds. They are depicted in different stages of growth from seed to seedling to plant and contrasted by social media quotes to illustrate how unsubstantiated assumptions can grow into Alternative Facts.

The material we chose for the book’s wrap is an old-fashioned jacket of plastic known from government file holders, maps, and office desktop pads. It gives the publication an official look and feel and matches the politicized and diplomatically sensitive nature of the subject.