The essence of survival can be expressed in nothing more than a flip of paint across paper, metaphysical purity exposed by a brushstroke on canvas, art drawing upon the font of inspiration flowing below perception, finding inspiration on the edge of feeling, love, and desire.

On the Edge, an exhibition presently showing at Ardel’s DOB Gallery unites eight Thai and deportee artists for an international journey that charts the coast of art and maps the enormous interior of a new, unchartered geography thriving with instinctual spontaneity.

The brief given by the curator, Brian Curtain, was for the artists to find emancipation and joy in the plainness of the line, and this is what audiences will find as they move about the gallery and stare upon each offering. Viewing “On the Edge” is like navigating between the opposing poles of likelihood and impossibility, plotting a path between perceptive representations and indistinct abstraction.

While all eight artists are joyful in their own right, one ray of light shines brightest. This is the second Bangkok group show for Jonathan Gent, an English artist building a dreadful reputation on the international prospect, and here he presents nine works on paper and two on wood.

A few days ago our book-design blog got a comment that made us think about the concept of inspiration I am designing a outline for books and need lots of inspiration. It’s hard to find it on Google.

They would start forgetting about looking for “inspiration” on Google or from other book designs. Why? Because nothing you find created specifically for that particular book. They wouldn’t have been hired if the design was out there. Neither should you stay for something magical coming from beyond. Work toward verdict something that strikes you from the manuscript.

As designers, we must find the top graphical way to present a book. Each book carries within it a unique space, color and contrast that provide a pace. Like music. Designers must remember that the best book design is invisible. It should guide the reader naturally through the book. That can happen only when the design emerges from the manuscript.

• Is it a manual? Determine how to elucidate where instructions begin and finish. Explore font weight variations or different typefaces. Think about what kind of indicators could help the users when troubleshooting.

• Is it a non-fiction narrative? Help people understand the perception by designing a layout that aids the reading of the text. Think of spacing, letter size, white space, clarity, etc.