29 GRAPHICULTURE
Dedicated solely to the creation and promotion of photographic arts, the
Minnesota Center for Photography (MCP) bills itself as “the leading center
for photography in the upper Midwest.” While at first glance this exhibition
catalog for MCP’s annual auction is unassuming—perhaps almost
prosaic—a closer look reveals the restrained appropriateness of its design.
“This event draws avid collectors of fine-art photography and is
the organization’s largest fundraiser,” says Graphiculture designer
Kelly English. “Its job is to help sell the images at the live auction.”
With a simple one-color cover, the handbook-size catalog opens
to reveal subtle but effective flourishes, such as a tiny repeating
pattern of the crop marks and cross hairs that appear on the catalog’s
cover. Inside pages place the emphasis squarely on the photographic
images, while giving order to captions, photographer bios
and bidding information. Fully considered, the catalog is a shining
example of information design with panache. by Sheree Clark
Graphiculture | Designer: Kelly English | Client: Minnesota Center for Photography | Contact: www.graphiculture.com