DESCRIPTION Graphic Arts Studio Poster (1 of 4) CLIENT Graphic Arts Studio DATE January – April, 2009 DESIGN CREDITS Design: Bob Faust Production: Jason Walzer Inspiration: Sally Faust Poster Series Concept: Thirst PRINT CREDITS Printing: Graphic Arts Studio Embossing: Delta Press TYPE CREDITS Akkurat

QUANTITY PRODUCED 500 PRODUCTION COST $3,700 PRODUCTION TIME 2 weeks DIMENSIONS: WIDTH × HEIGHT × DEPTH 24 in × 36 in PRINT METHOD Offset PAPER STOCK Astrolite, White, Smooth, 80 lb Cover NUMBER OF COLORS 6 spot OTHER Embossing

When their old time client, Graphic Arts Studio, wanted to promote their new 6-color press, as well as establish themselves as a design-conscious business, 3st’s Rick Valicenti suggested to create a poster series with other Chicago-based design firms. 3st, Studio Blue, Legendre+Rutter and, featured here today, Faust Ltd. designed a vivid set of posters with all the accouterments of a print promotion piece. Bob Faust, explains their idea:

While we were discussing the project the idea of actually using the press process as part of the design process was brought up and the “Design on press” theme was born. I was exploring some strobing op art ideas at the time because my wife had just been diagnosed with vertigo and couldn’t stand up without spinning. I was trying to find ways to make the ink spin and move on the page through optical illusion and had some mild success but ultimately bagged that idea for what we ended up with. It just seemed a more pure thought and was more directly typographic. It was also very complicated without trying too hard, which made it perfect to me. I also thought it might make the self-proclaimed king of “More is More” (Rick) smile.

The vertiginous design was complemented with a sweet embossing of the words design/press (it takes a keen eye to see both words) and it really gives this poster serious depth. On the genesis of the embossing Bob explains:

As for the emboss, I actually wrestled with the idea. I thought it might steal from the purity of the piece and was a bit afraid the registration could be an issue. But with some encouragement from the printer I did it, and am very happy to have added that level. No pun intended. Well maybe.

This poster (or any of the other three) are available for request from the Graphic Arts Studio web site.