High-Quality A5 Landscape Photo Zine Where Shepherds Meet

A5 Landscape Booklets
4pp Cover onto 250gsm Silk
Matt laminated to the outer
36 inside pages onto 130gsm Silk
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated and wire stitched

Print Choices and Design Appreciation

Overview
The book "Where Shepherds Meet" by David Baker is a striking visual narrative that encapsulates the heart of rural life through the lens of Welsh sheep farming. The A5 landscape format immediately grabs attention, allowing for wide, panoramic images that immerse readers in the pastoral settings. The book’s minimalist yet purposeful design effectively communicates the story of shepherds, their trials, and the community around them.

Design and Layout
The A5 landscape orientation is ideal for this photo-centric publication, offering ample space for high-quality images without overwhelming the reader. The binding is a wire-stitched technique, giving it a modest, approachable feel, perfect for a project rooted in rural culture. This method complements the booklet style, which is both practical and economical, resonating with the subject's grounded nature.

Inside, the layout is clean and spacious. The balance between full-page images and the minimal use of text keeps the photography in focus. Typography, set in bold sans-serif typefaces, is effective for its simplicity and legibility. The bilingual presentation (Welsh and English) is seamless, with no clutter, demonstrating a thoughtful integration of both languages. This reinforces the book's cultural roots, connecting with a broad audience while paying homage to its Welsh origin.

Binding Type
The wire-stitched binding is practical and suited to the format. It holds the pages securely, enabling a smooth page-turning experience, essential for visual narratives where uninterrupted flow enhances reader engagement. This binding choice allows the booklet to lay relatively flat, providing an optimal view of the images without breaking the continuity of the layout.

Use of Colour and Imagery
Colour plays a subtle yet significant role throughout the book. The natural hues of rural landscapes dominate the pages, creating a tranquil and immersive atmosphere. There’s an intentional use of earthy tones, with vibrant blues and greens from the landscape, interspersed with softer tones of sheep’s wool and natural materials. The vibrant outdoor shots contrast beautifully with the quieter, more intimate moments captured inside sheepfolds.

David Baker’s photography is the backbone of the project. The framing of each shot tells a story, with large, dynamic images drawing the reader into the sheep’s world. Close-ups of the shepherds at work, the sheepdog trials, and moments of community bonding are all captured with authenticity and warmth. The book feels immersive, a journey into the heart of shepherding life, without the distraction of overly stylised effects.

Typography
The typography is bold and unassuming, which allows the photographs to dominate while ensuring that the necessary information is communicated clearly. The use of a clean, sans-serif typeface is in line with the contemporary design approach, providing contrast to the rustic subject matter. This modern twist on a traditional theme is both engaging and refreshing.

Unique Selling Points (USPs):

• Minimalistic yet impactful design: The decision to use a simple layout that prioritises visual storytelling is highly effective in this photo zine format.
• Bilingual Text: The seamless integration of Welsh and English text honours cultural identity without sacrificing design aesthetics or readability.
• High Production Quality: The use of 250gsm silk for the cover and 130gsm silk for the inner pages, combined with matt lamination, provides a premium feel that elevates the visual experience.
• Immersive Photography: David Baker’s photography is central to the book’s appeal, with striking compositions and the raw emotion of everyday life captured beautifully.

Effectiveness of the Design
The collaboration between the photographer and designer is well-executed, effectively portraying the story of rural shepherd life. By allowing the photographs to speak for themselves, the designer wisely refrains from cluttering the layout with unnecessary elements. The design's restraint enhances the emotional connection to the subject, leaving room for reflection and appreciation.

Actionable Insights

1. Utilise Wire-Stitched Binding for Lightweight Projects:
   • This binding type is both economical and functional, making it a smart choice for projects with a limited page count but a need for durability.
   • Applied in this project, it allows the booklet to open flat, enhancing the visual storytelling experience.
2. Minimalism in Design to Highlight Photography:
   • When working with visually driven projects, a minimalist design approach ensures that the images remain the focal point, as seen in "Where Shepherds Meet."
   • This can be a key recommendation for future authors or designers focusing on photography-heavy books.
3. Bilingual Content Seamlessly Integrated:
   • The inclusion of bilingual text without overwhelming the layout is an excellent example of design meeting functionality.
   • This can be a valuable takeaway for projects that aim to reach diverse linguistic audiences without sacrificing aesthetics.
4. Strategic Use of Colour:
   • The subtle use of earthy tones and natural colours reinforces the book's theme while maintaining visual harmony.
   • Future projects can benefit from considering colour palettes that align with the subject matter, creating an immersive reader experience.
5. Material Selection Reflects Content:
   • The choice of materials (250gsm silk cover with matt lamination and 130gsm silk pages) conveys a premium feel that matches the book’s artistic and cultural significance.
   • This insight highlights the importance of aligning production materials with the project’s narrative and audience expectations.

By combining these elements, the book "Where Shepherds Meet" stands out as a visually arresting and culturally rich project. It reflects the thoughtful integration of photography, design, and high production values to create an engaging and immersive reader experience.

David Baker's Print Journey. “Where Shepherds Meet”

The print journey for David Baker’s Where Shepherds Meet booklet reflects an engaging and collaborative process, showcasing the expertise and care that Ex Why Zed brings to every project.

Initial Consultation and Quote

David Baker first approached us with a clear vision for his photography project, and we swiftly provided him with a warm welcome and comprehensive advice tailored to his needs. From the start, we emphasised our speciality in photography books, offering insights into the best materials to use for optimal photographic reproduction. We recommended printing on silk paper for sharp, vibrant imagery, highlighting its ability to retain crispness, particularly important for projects such as this, where high-quality photography is the focus.

One of the key considerations discussed was the RGB-to-CMYK colour conversion, a frequent issue in photo printing. We ensured that David understood the impact of this conversion on his final printed images, aligning his expectations with the technical realities of print. This upfront transparency and expert advice helped lay the foundation for a smooth print experience.

Navigating the Design and Artwork Process

David expressed a specific design interest, asking how to lay out a double-page spread in InDesign for a stapled booklet. We provided him with detailed instructions on how to set up his artwork, focusing on ensuring that the spreads flowed correctly when converted to a print-ready PDF. We advised him to design as spreads and then export as pages, a method that works seamlessly with the wire-stitched binding chosen for this project.

File preparation is crucial to any print project, especially for booklets where pagination must be precise. David faced a small challenge with his cover page order, which we promptly identified during the preflight check. Our team took the initiative to re-arrange the pages into the correct reading order, ensuring the cover, inside front, and internal pages were properly aligned. This level of attention to detail highlighted our commitment to delivering a flawless final product.

Production and Quality Checks

Once the artwork was approved, the printing process began. The booklets were produced with a 250gsm matt laminated silk cover and 130gsm silk pages, aligning perfectly with David’s vision of a tactile yet premium publication. These materials not only provided a sleek finish but also ensured durability, which was key given the booklet’s small yet impactful print run of 25 to 50 copies.

Throughout the process, we maintained consistent communication with David, updating him at every stage of production. Before going to print, we sent him a final proof for review, ensuring he had the opportunity to double-check all aspects of the project. We offered reassurance that while on-screen proofs can appear slightly different, the final product would reflect his artwork’s quality, especially when viewed on a high-resolution device.

Timely Delivery and Client Satisfaction

David required the booklets delivered to London on a tight deadline to coincide with an exhibition. Despite the time constraints, we worked hard to meet his request, ensuring his booklets arrived on time. Our flexibility with delivery options, including packaging multiple orders for the same event, demonstrated our client-focused approach.

The project concluded with David expressing his delight at the final product. The Where Shepherds Meet booklet was well received by its audience, with only a few copies left by the end of the event. He shared that there were even requests for a larger version, a testament to the booklet’s success and the quality of the print. Additionally, his graduation book, produced by Ex Why Zed, received high praise from both his peers and course leaders, further cementing our reputation as a go-to print partner.

David’s appreciation was reflected in his warm feedback, noting that Ex Why Zed would likely be the first choice for next year’s book. This kind of positive client experience showcases the lasting relationships we build through our dedicated service and high-quality output.

Conclusion

This project exemplifies the hands-on, collaborative process that defines Ex Why Zed’s approach to print. From the initial consultation to the meticulous attention to detail during the preflight and printing stages, we ensured that David Baker’s creative vision was realised to the fullest. Our ability to adapt to tight deadlines, provide expert guidance, and deliver exceptional quality in every facet of the project highlights why clients consistently return to us for their printing needs.