The Joy of the Mountains

John Harrison is an amazing man. He died on a mountain trying to save four young chaps in 1966 at the age of 33. Not only was he a pioneering mountaineer, but also a fantastic graphic artist. His story has totally captured me.

Here's some of what the designs look like for the book on his amazing journey that John Wilson is about to publish. 

I've spent this afternoon printing some beautiful old wood blocks of John Harrison's drawings that we want to use on the chapter heads (down were you see the boots on the above spread). It feels like such a privilege to able to hold these historic items and to have the opportunity to take a print from them. I just have to record it here and feel so lucky that I do the job that I do.

If you ever get a chance to read this book when it's published, I highly recommend it. A truly amazing and inspirational life story. Passion— it really is what the world is about.

There's about 10 in total and the lead image is attached to the blocks with tiny little tacks ... so special.

23 August 2012

The cover is just about finished now as well and I need to add it here too.

Scholastic NZ titles gain international acceptance

What wonderful recognition for Diana Murray and the Scholastic team. The books they are producing are just great and we are loving designing them.http://publishers.org.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=337%3Ascholastic-nz-titles-gain-international-acceptance&catid=23%3Amembers&Itemid=56

Senior Graphic Design position available

Carpe Diem | Book Design is a graphic design company specialising in book design for both pbooks and ebooks. Our strong client values and beautifully produced books have placed us near the top of our game and we are now looking for a new senior designer to join the team at our Birkenhead studio.

Are you are a talented, confident and experienced graphic designer who ...

• loves designing for a living
• is self motivated and directed
• enjoys managing their own clients & multi-tasking
• works well to deadlines
• wants to explore new technologies and challenges within the publishing industry.

Are you friendly with Creative Suite?
This position will require an insight into all parts of this package, especially InDesign and Photoshop. We have also started to play with interactive content so HTML, Dreamweaver and Acrobat knowledge would be a huge advantage.

Top of the list though, you need to be a team player with great communication skills and a want to have fun and enjoy doing what you do.

Please remember that successful applicant for this full time position will have 5 years + industry experience and be a New Zealand permanent resident.

Please send your CV and stunning portfolio to our Studio Manager.

Kim Dovey
Carpe Diem Publications and Book Design Limited
Email: kim@bookdesign.co.nz

Some new light reading

Sarah has had a blast today mastering indexing in epubs and playing with layouts to get the designs just how she likes them. Plus she got a new ipad to do it on. Lucky girl.

Introducing Lisa

Lisa joined us in November as our new Studio Design Manager.
She has a spectacular background as a senior designer working in publishing and corporate design.
It was her book design portfolio that totally blew us away and we feel very privileged to have her leading our Auckland studio.
Lisa's wonderful organisational skills have already been put to the test and she just shone.
Thanks so much Lisa for sharing so many of your talents with us. We are really enjoying working with you.

Xmas Trees

I'm really please with our christmas card design this year. Lisa and Sarah have done a fantastic job in putting together this xmas tree original die-line. We'd love to know what you think, please leave a comment and tell us.

Hard work of publisher restructuring begins

Martin Taylor always offers food for thought and this article is no different.

http://activitypress.com/blog/2012/01/25/the-hard-restructuring-begins-but-dont-tell-us-ebooks-are-just-another-format/