Project Description — Catalog
This project was the official School of Art Degree Show Catalog for the Institute for Art and Culture (IAC), Lahore, undertaken during my time as a student and the head of the university's creative cell. I was tasked with creating the definitive annual document that celebrates and showcases the diverse thesis work of the graduating students.
Category
Publication / Editorial
Time Line
JUL 2024 - AUG 2024
The Story of Process: From Brief to Print
Initial Goal & Scope
The core objective was to move beyond a standard university publication and create a high-end, editorial-grade catalog that would appeal to industry professionals and effectively elevate the perceived value of the student work. The scope covered documenting students across multiple disciplines, requiring meticulous attention to detail in layout, typography, and color reproduction.
Evolution During Design: The Versatile System
The greatest challenge lay in the versatility of the content. The visual needs of a Graphic Design spread (often high-contrast and text-heavy) were completely different from a Fine Art spread (requiring large, uninterrupted image space). This forced an evolution from a simple fixed template to a modular, fluid grid system.
I designed a system that maintained strict underlying structure (consistent margins, running heads, and numbering) while allowing for dynamic variations in how the content was presented. This ensured every student's work was treated individually, yet the publication as a whole felt cohesive.
Typography: The design relied exclusively on a clean, contemporary sans-serif typeface to establish a modern and organized tone. I used variations in weight, size, and color (e.g., using the accent color for key data points) to create a clear visual hierarchy, making the large volume of information easily scannable.
Eventual Product: Function Meets Form
The final product was a cohesive, professionally bound catalog that successfully merged aesthetic appeal with functional design. It featured a strong visual identity (e.g., the high-contrast cover with minimal, bold typography) that enhanced the overall professional presentation of the Degree Show. The detailed pre-press work ensured the complex layouts and critical color fidelity were preserved during the printing process.
The final product was a cohesive, professionally bound catalog that successfully merged aesthetic appeal with functional design. It featured a strong visual identity (e.g., the high-contrast cover with minimal, bold typography) that enhanced the overall professional presentation of the Degree Show. The detailed pre-press work ensured the complex layouts and critical color fidelity were preserved during the printing process.
My Role
This was a complex, team-adjacent project where my role was centralized and demanding:
Creative Lead and Solo Execution: I was fully responsible for the conceptualization, design, layout, and final pre-press production of every page. I established the entire visual language, from the color palette to the paper stock specifications.
Content Management & Liaison: My role required rigorous project management. I acted as the primary bridge between the Head of Department, the student body, and the external printing press. This involved:
Coordinating the collection of hundreds of high-resolution image files and artist statements from all graduating students.
Standardizing asset quality (ensuring correct resolution and color profiles) to meet demanding print specifications.
Managing the workflow for text approvals from the Dean's office and departmental heads under strict deadlines.
This project was a masterclass in combining creative ambition with the organizational rigor required for large-scale editorial production.
The Impact
The success of the catalog extended beyond simply documenting the work; it had a tangible impact on the institution's presentation:
Elevated Professionalism: The clean, sophisticated design was widely praised for setting a new benchmark for the Degree Show’s professional image, making it a more attractive artifact for potential employers and industry visitors.
Demonstration of Skill: It served as a powerful, real-world case study, demonstrating my ability to manage a high-stakes, high-volume design project with a tight deadline. It showcased my mastery of editorial design, typographic hierarchy, and complex file preparation for professional printing.
Institutional Legacy: The catalog now stands as a high-quality historical record, representing the talent and identity of the School of Art for the [Year] academic cycle.