Not Another Soiree – Print & Bookbinding
- Designer Joe Gallagher
At the end of 2020 I was challenged to make a bespoke typographic book to accompany and explain a fictitious dinner party I was to host.
The dinner party was to host 6 guests, idols of mine, which I showcase throughout the book. The book was then to be printed on a specified paper stock and bound by me.
The contents are presented in the same way a formal dinner would be – starters, entrees, desserts, and then being excused from the table. The bulk of the content about each guest is in the entrees, such is in real life as it is the ‘main course’. The running order mimics the seating plan that is discussed in the beginning.
The aesthetic for my book is based on the red place-mats I have in my family home. The colour and size are identical, and the inner pages are perforated near the fold so that each may be ripped out to be used as a mat themselves.
Each guest gets their own typeface which is used and experimented with in a creative manner on their pages. This is to reflect their unique personalities to me.
The book is finished with a chain stitch which complements the considered stock choices, adding another layer of bespoke luxury and sophistication.

Personally done chain stitch binding with luxurious paper

Perforation in the pages so that each can be ripped out and used as their respective guest’s place-mats

Close-up of overprinting technique using motif colour and stylised type

Bold and contrasting colours on each page spread

Varying typographic layouts

Spread playing with respective typography and motifs