Photobook / Coffee Table Book Design Brief
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
Photobook / Coffee Table Book Design Brief
Project Overview
We are designing a high-end photobook/coffee table book that documents Cape Town based creative collective “The Broke Boyz”.
The final product must be print-ready, with a focus on clean design, strong image presentation, and premium finishing.
The design should capture the raw, candid, and cultural feel of references like the Supreme book and the moodboard provided (see attached). The balance between white space, full-bleed images, and structured layouts is crucial.
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Book Specifications
• Format: Hardcover photobook
• Trim Size: 32cm (H) x 26cm (W)
• Page Count: 300 pages (150 spreads)
• Orientation: Portrait
• Paper Stock:
• Interior: 150–170gsm matte coated paper (for rich photo reproduction, minimal glare)
• Cover: 3mm thick board wrapped in printed cover material, with optional spot UV or embossing for logo/title
• Binding: Smyth-sewn binding for durability (flat-lay opening preferred)
• Print Finish: Full-colour CMYK, high-resolution, print-ready PDFs
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Layout Inspiration
• Mix of layouts: Full-bleed images, white borders, collage-style groupings, and minimal text.
• Pacing: Visual rhythm — some pages feature single iconic photos, others combine multiple images to create narrative tension.
• Typography: Clean, modern, minimal. Suggestion: Helvetica Neue, Arial, or similar sans-serif.
• Mood: Authentic, cultural, raw but elevated. Think of it as both an art object and documentary archive.
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Content
• Photography: All images supplied (high-res, print-ready).
• Sections: Book may be divided into thematic chapters or presented as a flowing visual journey.
• Text: Minimal. Possible short captions, intro essay, or quotes. Typography should never overpower images.
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Deliverables
1. Initial Design Concepts – 2–3 spreads showing direction (layout, typography, pacing).
2. Full Book Layout – Designed across 300 pages with consistency and flow.
3. Final Print-Ready Files – Supplied as:
• PDF/X-1a (300dpi, CMYK, with bleeds + crop marks).
• Cover file supplied separately with correct spine width (to be confirmed with printer).
⸻
Technical Details
• Bleed: 5mm all around
• Safe Zone: 10mm inside trim edge
• Image Resolution: Minimum 300dpi at print size
• Colour Profile: CMYK (ISO Coated v2 or printer-specific)
Project Overview
We are designing a high-end photobook/coffee table book that documents Cape Town based creative collective “The Broke Boyz”.
The final product must be print-ready, with a focus on clean design, strong image presentation, and premium finishing.
The design should capture the raw, candid, and cultural feel of references like the Supreme book and the moodboard provided (see attached). The balance between white space, full-bleed images, and structured layouts is crucial.
⸻
Book Specifications
• Format: Hardcover photobook
• Trim Size: 32cm (H) x 26cm (W)
• Page Count: 300 pages (150 spreads)
• Orientation: Portrait
• Paper Stock:
• Interior: 150–170gsm matte coated paper (for rich photo reproduction, minimal glare)
• Cover: 3mm thick board wrapped in printed cover material, with optional spot UV or embossing for logo/title
• Binding: Smyth-sewn binding for durability (flat-lay opening preferred)
• Print Finish: Full-colour CMYK, high-resolution, print-ready PDFs
⸻
Layout Inspiration
• Mix of layouts: Full-bleed images, white borders, collage-style groupings, and minimal text.
• Pacing: Visual rhythm — some pages feature single iconic photos, others combine multiple images to create narrative tension.
• Typography: Clean, modern, minimal. Suggestion: Helvetica Neue, Arial, or similar sans-serif.
• Mood: Authentic, cultural, raw but elevated. Think of it as both an art object and documentary archive.
⸻
Content
• Photography: All images supplied (high-res, print-ready).
• Sections: Book may be divided into thematic chapters or presented as a flowing visual journey.
• Text: Minimal. Possible short captions, intro essay, or quotes. Typography should never overpower images.
⸻
Deliverables
1. Initial Design Concepts – 2–3 spreads showing direction (layout, typography, pacing).
2. Full Book Layout – Designed across 300 pages with consistency and flow.
3. Final Print-Ready Files – Supplied as:
• PDF/X-1a (300dpi, CMYK, with bleeds + crop marks).
• Cover file supplied separately with correct spine width (to be confirmed with printer).
⸻
Technical Details
• Bleed: 5mm all around
• Safe Zone: 10mm inside trim edge
• Image Resolution: Minimum 300dpi at print size
• Colour Profile: CMYK (ISO Coated v2 or printer-specific)