Mihai Barbu is a Romanian photographer and adventure rider who embarked on two motorcycle journeys to Mongolia. His first one took place in 2007 when he rode solo on a 26,000-kilometer journey. Low on funds, Mihai devised a creative way to crowdfund his trip by “selling kilometers” to supporters, promising to send back stories from the road to those who contributed. These stories were later compiled into a book that saw five successful print editions.
Eight years later, Mihai set out again to Mongolia—this time with his partner, Oana, and their six-year-old son, Vladimir. Together, they traveled 28,000 kilometers on a sidecar motorcycle, retracing Mihai’s path to the same destination. This time, Vladimir took on the role of storyteller, sharing his experiences from the road.
These two journeys form the foundation of the book DUSINTORS. Although both expeditions shared the same endpoint, their routes differed: Mihai’s first journey headed North and returned through the South, while the family trip followed the reverse. This reversal inspired the book’s title, DUSINTORS, a Romanian play on words roughly translating to “Out and Back.” The book’s design reflects this concept as well, allowing readers to open it from two directions: one side captures Mihai’s reflections, while the other tells the story from Vladimir’s young perspective. Together, these narratives create a rich, layered account of adventure, family, and the roads that unite them.
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CREDITS
Cover Illustration: Pompiliu Buleu
JOBS DONE
Editorial Design, Production Consultancy
Client: Mihai Barbu
Category: Editorial design
