The Pinnacle of Creative Education ?
Central Saint Martins, a part of the University of the Arts London (UAL), is a breeding ground for creative minds. The BA Product and Industrial Design course is the best place for budding Jonathan Ives’. This case study delves into the intricacies of their Degree Show Catalogue printing, a task that Ex Why Zed was proud to undertake once again.
The Personal Approach
We are very much advocates of speaking to our clients, instigating a conversation and ensuring they have the complete set of information to make informed choices about their publications. Plenty of companies hide behind their website and rely on a baffling series of drag’n’drop pages and jargon filled pricing spreadsheets. Thankfully that is not what we do at Ex Why Zed. Each book is made with the client in mind. We are here to help you make your book look as good as it can, and we will work with you on all the creative aspects of its design and layout.
Flexible options
We offer a range of flexible options, including a variety of artist catalogue printing materials, the choice of custom sizes, FSC and Recycled papers and no minimum order quantity.
Actionable Design Insights
• Images supplied at a minimum of 300dpi will achieve the best results.
• Our state-of-the-art HP Indigo digital machines and Heidelberg litho presses are high-end equipment specifically tailored towards producing stunning books.
• We don’t charge for delivery and book printing is zero rated for vat. There are no sneaky hidden charges with Ex Why Zed.
? For a whole world of inspiration, enjoy looking through our Degree Show Catalogue Portfolio.
Author Bio: Meet Libby Higgins ?
Libby Higgins, a Graduate Teaching Assistant in Graphic Communication Design at Central Saint Martins, spearheaded this book printing in London. A former student of the Graphic Design course herself, Libby brings a unique blend of academic and practical experience to the table.
The Ex Why Zed Print Journey: From Quote to Print ?️
In the bustling corridors of Central St Martins, Libby Higgins and her diligent team from the Product, Ceramic, and Industrial Design sectors were on the cusp of a dream. With the degree show on the horizon, they envisioned an A5 catalogue that would serve as a testament to their creative journey. Their aspirations were crystal clear: A5 book printing that mirrored their unwavering dedication to artistry. The catalogue serving as sales brochure printing of their work would span 200-250 perfect bound pages.
With a quest as important as this, they turned to the knowledgeable team at Ex Why Zed, a reputed London art book printer. As trusted suppliers of UAL over many years and recognised for their expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness in the world of print, Ex Why Zed was the beacon of hope for many pondering, “where can I print an art book in London?” Acknowledging the institution’s stature as a forerunner in design, they expressed their eagerness to be a part of this monumental project, highlighting their previous collaborations with other UAL student printers.
But Ex Why Zed’s commitment to excellence wasn’t confined to words alone. They dove deep, seeking clarifications on paper finishes and offering insightful resources to ensure that the end product was nothing short of a masterpiece.
In this intricate tapestry of dreams, ink, and paper, Ex Why Zed emerged as a partner in Central St Martins’ journey of creation, ensuring that the echoes of their craftsmanship reverberated in every catalogue page.
Book Printing London Design Insights
Central St Martin’s BA Honours Product and Industrial design – this is a substantial example of book printing. The front cover is really effective. Although the grey is printed it maintains a slight silver effect. Nice text down the spine to add detail. The abstract circle on the front cover is awesome and that pattern’s repeated on the first text page as well.
Ex Why Zed’s A5 Printing Services: Student Showcase
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Ex Why Zed raises the bar again—this time with an A5 book that serves as a canvas for student creativity. Let’s deep-dive into this extraordinary specimen, where subtlety meets vibrancy in a print odyssey!
Author’s Style: A Curator of Talent
The author’s style leans towards curation, tastefully selecting a broad range of student works. From abstract art to technical diagrams, the subject matter is as diverse as it is compelling, providing a panoramic view of young talent. Short stories about each student are intermingled within the internal pages and budding authors gush about their experience at Central St Martins and excitedly look forward to their next adventure.
High Quality Visual Aesthetics: Less is More ?️
The cover sets the tone—solid grey with crisp, white text. It’s like the sophisticated intro to a rock concert, setting the stage for the full colour spectacle inside.
The inside pages show uniformity in their styling and page design. The images are plenty big enough and the contact details in a 60 or 70% grey shade are subtle and don’t clash with the artwork.
Typography: The Unsung Hero ?
The typography is a masterpiece of restraint and focus. The white text on the grey cover is subtly brilliant, while the typography inside is clean, readable, and perfectly aligned with the vibrant student works it accompanies.
Orientation: The Perfect Stage ?
Despite Ex Why Zed offering a range of size for booklet and book printing, A5 size is very much the go-to choice for degree show catalogue and ensures a great first impression. It’s compact enough for easy handling, yet provides ample space for the art and text to breathe.
Binding Style: Premium Quality ?
The perfect binding ensures that this 260-page behemoth not only stays together but also feels like a unified, cohesive work. It’s the finishing touch on an already impressive package.
The Central St Martin students from London have arrived at a cohesive design all the way through and their work jumps off the pages. We have a total of just over 250 pages giving a chunky 15mm spine.
Short Run, Quick Response Books
This wasn’t our first rodeo and we have been printing art student books for 17 years so know what the idiosyncracies are to look out for. Timing is key and while we offer next working day delivery so your books will arrive in London the day after they leave us, it is always a good idea to leave ample time before special events. No-one wants to be worrying about delivery services on the day of your Graduate Show.
Your Roadmap to Showcasing Brilliance ?
Want to compile an anthology of creative works? Take cues from this Ex Why Zed publication. Opt for a subtle, professional cover to contrast with the vibrant interior. Make every design choice intentional.
With a 4pp cover onto 250gsm uncoated card and one Pantone spot colour grey double-sided, the tactile experience is just as nuanced as the visual. The 260pp text block onto 120gsm uncoated paper was a significant number of pages and forms a substantial yet manageable softback book, trimmed, collated, and perfectly bound for a seamless finish. Uncoated, matt paper gives a softer aesthetic and allows the reader to discover the work within the bound books rather than have it glaring at them which can sometimes be the case with a gloss or satin sheen.
As always the University of the Arts London students, curated an example of great quality book printing and a winning publication for the students to hand out in the heart of London for potential employers to look through.
Ready to turn your anthology project into a tactile and visual feast? Ex Why Zed is the key to unlocking that potential. ?
Your Next Creative Endeavour Awaits ?
Inspired by this case study? Ex Why Zed is your go-to for all your creative printing needs. Check out more of Central Saint Martins’ work and consider printing your next big project with us.
