240x170mm Books.
4pp Cover onto 300gsm Uncoated.
Plus a 150mm flap tipping out from both the front and back covers.
Matt Lamination to outer.
76pp Text onto 120gsm Uncoated.
Four colour print throughout.
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound.
The limited-edition photo book Carried Away by Grégoire Bernardi presents a meticulously crafted visual narrative through its photography, layout, and overall design. Produced by Ex Why Zed, the book embodies a harmonious balance of minimalist design and immersive storytelling that invites readers into a reflective journey across two estuaries.
The book employs perfect binding, which is ideal for maintaining the clean, minimalist aesthetic of the work. This binding method complements the simplicity of the design, providing a seamless reading experience where the pages are firmly held together yet flexible enough for the viewer to open the spreads fully and engage with the images in their entirety. The use of perfect binding adds a level of durability to the book while keeping it slim and refined, a choice that mirrors the understated elegance of the project.
The page layout adheres to an intentional simplicity. Full-bleed images are used sparingly but effectively, allowing for moments of visual immersion. In other sections, the use of white space and margin allows the viewer to contemplate each photograph individually. The positioning of the text is minimal and clear, typically placed off to the side or in areas that do not detract from the central imagery. Notably, the typography remains secondary to the photographs, which are clearly the focal point of the design.
The typography of Carried Away is clean, elegant, and modern, featuring sans-serif fonts that are sophisticated yet unintrusive. The type size is moderate, ensuring legibility without overwhelming the page. This choice enhances the overall visual coherence of the book, creating a seamless transition between the written elements and the photographic content. On the cover, the title and author’s name are placed asymmetrically, with a subtle tilt to the composition that adds a dynamic element to an otherwise serene cover. The typeface used for the title offers contrast without distraction, reflecting the careful balance between calm and tension that pervades the entire publication.
The muted, monochromatic colour palette used on the cover and inside pages aligns perfectly with the theme of the book. The tones chosen—shades of grey on the cover and soft, natural hues inside—evoke a sense of quietude and reflection, reinforcing the atmospheric nature of the photographs. The four-colour print method used for the inner pages ensures that the colours of the photographs remain vibrant yet natural, amplifying the sense of place that the images evoke without overwhelming the viewer.
The visual aesthetic of Carried Away is minimalist, focusing on the stark beauty of the natural world and the quiet stories within. Bernardi’s photographs are contemplative and explore the intersection of nature, solitude, and human traces. The consistency of this aesthetic throughout the book allows for an immersive viewing experience, guiding the reader’s emotions as they journey through each page. There’s a deliberate use of contrasts between vibrant scenes of nature and black-and-white portraits, adding depth and variety to the visual narrative.
In terms of content, the book reflects a journey across estuaries, conveyed powerfully through the visual motifs of stillness, isolation, and human interaction with the landscape. The use of high-quality paper (120gsm uncoated for the text pages) adds a tactile element, making the experience of flipping through the pages almost meditative. The paper choice complements the natural, understated tone of the book, ensuring that the photographs remain the focus without unnecessary sheen or glare.
The book features flaps tipping out from both the front and back covers, an elegant production touch that adds an element of interactivity. These flaps allow the reader to feel as if they are unwrapping or discovering something as they open the book, mirroring the sense of exploration that the photographs evoke. Additionally, the Matt Lamination on the outer cover gives the book a smooth, professional finish while also providing durability to withstand handling. This, coupled with the uncoated paper inside, offers a delightful textural contrast.
The collaboration between the author and designer shines through in how the images and layout work together to create a cohesive narrative. Every design choice—from the subdued colour palette to the minimal typography—serves to heighten the emotional resonance of the photographs. The book’s layout fosters a rhythm that mirrors the ebb and flow of the estuaries, inviting the reader to pause and reflect with each turn of the page. This pacing, coupled with the impactful visual storytelling, effectively conveys the quiet yet powerful essence of the book’s theme.
These insights showcase the effectiveness of careful design and material choices, which have come together to create a visually and texturally immersive experience.
The journey of creating Carried Away by Grégoire Bernardi was an intricate and collaborative process between the photographer and Ex Why Zed. This case study highlights the evolution of the project, from initial design concepts to final print delivery, emphasising the attention to detail and craftsmanship that went into producing this limited-edition photobook.
Grégoire first approached Ex Why Zed in February 2018, seeking advice on printing specifications and budgeting. Drawing inspiration from the photobook “Topographies” by Jess Gough, which was included in the sample pack, Grégoire aimed to create a similarly sized publication for his project, Carried Away. His early inquiries focused on understanding the production costs for a small print run of 100 copies, a figure that would evolve as the project took shape.
Throughout the early discussions, Grégoire’s primary concern was ensuring the quality of the print while staying within budget. The back-and-forth communication reflected a deep collaborative effort, with Ex Why Zed providing detailed insights on various print options. The Ex Why Zed team emphasised the importance of finalising the book’s size and specifications, advising Grégoire to finalise his design with the help of his graphic designer before a formal quote could be provided.
As the project progressed, technical questions arose, especially regarding the cover design and interior paper choices. The flap design was a key feature of the book, and its size was adjusted several times during the conversation. Grégoire initially estimated a 700mm cover width but later revised it to 660mm, including the spine. Ex Why Zed’s responsive customer service ensured that these design iterations were smoothly accommodated, with clear instructions on adjusting the bleed and file setup for the perfect bound book.
A significant challenge was selecting the right paper. Grégoire sought advice on whether to use uncoated or recycled paper, and after discussing the merits of each option with Ex Why Zed, he chose to go with an uncoated paper for its natural texture and softer reproduction of colours. Ex Why Zed provided detailed feedback on how the images would appear on various paper types, ultimately steering Grégoire towards uncoated stock for its atmospheric, grainy quality—an aesthetic that suited the theme of his photography.
Grégoire’s hesitancy and inexperience with printing technology (as this was his first book) became evident during these exchanges. However, Ex Why Zed’s willingness to answer his questions and offer practical suggestions helped streamline the decision-making process, ensuring that the final product would meet his artistic vision.
Once the design was finalised, Grégoire ordered a prototype copy to ensure that the print quality matched his expectations. During the proofing stage, he expressed concerns about the sharpness of the front cover font and a vertical white mark on the last page. Ex Why Zed acknowledged that the white mark was a production error caused by the binding process, which they assured would not appear in the final run if given adequate drying time. The communication was transparent, and Ex Why Zed maintained an open line of dialogue with Grégoire throughout the proofing process, ensuring that all concerns were addressed before the final print run.
In particular, the conversion of black-and-white images from CMYK to grayscale was a key consideration, as printing these types of images digitally posed challenges. Ex Why Zed offered technical advice on how to achieve the best results, emphasising the difficulty of reproducing rich black tones in digital printing. Despite the potential limitations, they assured Grégoire that the final print would be of impressive quality.
Once satisfied with the prototype, Grégoire placed an order for 150 copies, up from the originally intended 100, reflecting his growing confidence in the project. Ex Why Zed handled the increase with ease, accommodating the last-minute adjustment and revising the invoice accordingly.
However, the logistical challenges of printing during the 2020 holiday season posed some timing issues. Grégoire had launched the pre-sale for Carried Away and needed the books delivered to Pantin, France, before Christmas. Ex Why Zed did everything possible to expedite the process, even paying a premium for express shipping when the original courier failed to collect the packages. This level of dedication ensured that the books arrived just in time, much to Grégoire’s relief.
Grégoire was impressed with the final quality of Carried Away, particularly the reproduction of the black-and-white images, which exceeded his expectations. He praised the overall print quality and customer service provided by Ex Why Zed, acknowledging the team’s support and patience throughout the process. The project’s success can be attributed to Ex Why Zed’s expertise in guiding first-time authors through the complexities of book printing, ensuring that the final product met high standards of craftsmanship.
This successful collaboration not only resulted in a stunning photobook but also opened the door for potential future projects between Grégoire and Ex Why Zed. The project exemplified Ex Why Zed’s commitment to delivering exceptional service, even under tight deadlines and challenging circumstances.
The creation of Carried Away demonstrates the importance of clear communication and expert guidance in producing high-quality print products. Ex Why Zed’s ability to offer tailored advice on everything from file setup to paper choice ensured that Grégoire’s vision for his first book was realised without compromise. The project highlights Ex Why Zed’s strengths as a photobook specialist, capable of handling complex requests while delivering a finished product that delights both the creator and the audience.
