Picture Perfect: Crafting a Coffee Table Book for Master Photographer Ron Evans
COVER DESIGN
INTERIOR PAGE LAYOUT
PREPRESS
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
CREATIVE DIRECTION
PRINT PRODUCTION
My goal for Ron's first photography portfolio book was to design a timeless, sophisticated coffee table book that serves as a testament to Arizona's rich history and everyday beauty. This case study delves into the collaborative journey of crafting the Arkansas Photography Coffee Table Book, a testament to Arkansas's rich history and everyday beauty, through the lens of an esteemed documentary art photographer, Ron Evans, and myself, a seasoned graphic designer.
The Challenge
Ron Evans, a renowned documentary art photographer with over 50 years of experience, contacted me to design his first coffee table book showcasing his early work from Arkansas. Ron had spent decades capturing powerful black-and-white images of everyday life in Arkansas. Using his beloved 35mm camera and traditional darkroom processes, Ron’s photography celebrates the rich history of Arkansas, offering the viewer a momentary glimpse back in time. Ron wanted me to compile these photographs and create a premium photography coffee table book to showcase his work and ensure the book's design and production properly reflected the soul and artistry of his images.
The Approach
Ron, a traditionalist at heart, felt it was crucial that the book's design and materials reflected the timeless, handcrafted nature of his photography. He didn't want anything flashy or gimmicky—the focus needed to be squarely on his incredible body of work. However, Ron also wanted the book to be a sophisticated, limited-edition piece that employed unique design and printing techniques to make it a treasured object for collectors.
By taking on this project, I was tasked with a very important job—to strike the perfect balance between a minimalist design that let Ron's powerful images shine while still incorporating premium materials and processes that elevated the book to an artisanal, collectible level. I also needed to educate Ron on the various printing options, materials, and finishes available to achieve his vision. It was important to me that he understood my design approach and could find some reassurance in knowing a great deal of detail, attention, and care was put into creating this book design.
For the interior layout, I opted for a clean, minimalist approach that would highlight the raw beauty and authenticity of Ron's photography. This meant incorporating generous spacing around each photograph and using readable but unobtrusive captions. In addition, small folio details added a subtle but impactful touch of elegance throughout.
Ron loved this direction, so I carefully designed and laid out the entire book, ensuring each spread allowed his photographs to shine. I then realized that Ron’s ongoing success as a photographer could lead to future volumes, so I gave the cover typography a timeless, classic treatment. This choice not only exudes a sense of timeless refinement and cohesiveness but also pays homage to Ron's traditional approach to photography.
While the exterior design came together quite nicely, one of my biggest challenges was selecting the perfect paper stock. After speaking at length with Ron, we wanted a warm, slightly off-white paper with enough weight and opacity that images wouldn't show through from the other side. This was essential to achieving that high-quality aesthetic many art book collectors appreciate. After testing numerous paper samples by printing drawdowns of Ron's photographs, we found the ideal paper that complemented his rich black-and-white aesthetic.
The Design Solution
After an in-depth review of Ron's photographs, I grasped the overall mood and emotional connection he aimed to convey. His black-and-white photographs possess immense richness and depth of tonality. By eliminating the distraction of color, he directs the viewer’s focus to the subject, textures, shapes, patterns, and composition. Each image tells its own story, while collectively, they narrate a larger story of Arkansas, his home state.
The Design intention was for each photograph to live and breathe on its own page. Some images might almost fill the page, while others could be smaller, more deliberate rectangles or squares. This varied presentation allowed each image to tell its own story without conforming to a rigid layout. The principles of timelessness and minimalism were integral to his work and my design, ensuring that the photographs remained the focal point, free from unnecessary design elements. From here, I recommended a dramatic dark gray linen cover with silver metallic and black matte foil stamp details. This design choice would achieve Ron's request for a minimalist yet understated look while incorporating premium embellishment techniques.
The 100#T Super Smooth Uncoated paper had multiple features, making it the right choice for our professional and artistic printing needs. The “100#T” indicates it is a 100-pound text-weight paper, meaning it is thicker and sturdier than your usual office paper. The “Super Smooth” aspect notes its smooth finish, ensuring printed images and text appear as sharp, clear, and polished as possible. As opposed to a glossy or matte coating, the uncoated finish gives the paper a natural feel and appearance, resulting in a more classic and sophisticated look. The absorbent nature of uncoated paper can also improve the vibrancy of colors and crispness of details, lending to a softer and more organic print. All of these qualities and characteristics helped deliver a premium feel and sophisticated aesthetic for this book design.
A crucial step was to work with an expert printing partner who could bring all the high-end details and finishes to life while maintaining exceptional quality. My extensive experience in print production gave me the knowledge and know-how to speak "printer"; working with unique materials like linen and multiple foil stamps makes the process more effective, and there is less room for errors when you speak the same language. I oversaw every aspect of prepress and print production. This included meticulously checking each photograph for proper resolution and font spacing, where all were consistent and the file would print correctly.
The Result
When the final printed book arrived, Ron was overjoyed at how it captured and elevated his Arkansas work. The premium materials, thoughtful design aesthetic, and exceptional print quality combined to create a timeless coffee table photography art book as powerful and enduring as his iconic photographs.
But Ron's sentiments weren't the only validation we received. Soon after sending out copies, he received letters of congratulations and praise from renowned photographers and curators. Sally Mann, celebrated for her large-format black-and-white portraiture, sent a personal note to Ron highlighting some of her favorite spreads. Peter Barberie of the Philadelphia Museum of Art took a copy for their permanent collection. The book even made its way to former President Bill Clinton's personal library, receiving his acclaim.
These extraordinary accolades illustrated that by taking the time to craft every aspect of the design and production process thoughtfully– from materials and printing techniques down to the smallest details–we succeeded in creating a museum-quality photography art coffee table book worthy of Ron's masterful photography.
In a world where quick fixes and shortcuts abound, the Arkansas Photography Coffee Table Book exemplifies the value of investing in quality craftsmanship and collaboration. Working with a professional graphic designer and partnering with a reputable, skilled printing partner, you ensure your creative visions are represented to their full potential in an elevated, enduring piece. Cut corners or settle for less, and you ultimately do your work a disservice. But take the time, care, and expertise to do it right, and you'll have a timeless object and source of pride for years to come.
To purchase his book or photographs, please contact After Image Photograph Gallery.
“My first book of photographs were pictures that I made back in my home state of Arkansas, half a century ago. Ms. Lomax helped me through the agony of the unknown, which was, just how would my first book eventually turn out? It turned out just beautifully, thanks to her attention to detail and creative talent. I offer my congratulations to those who select her to work on their projects, she is at the top of her game.”
– Ron Evans, Documentary Photographer