52 KUHLMANN-LEAVITT
How best to demonstrate the capabilities of a printing house? By putting
them to work, of course. That is exactly what happened when L.A.-
based The Ligature embarked on creating informational material for the
firm. The result was “The Ligature on Ligatures,” a collaborative project
between typography expert Doyald Young, editor Penny Benda and designer
Deanna Kuhlmann-Leavitt.
“The Ligature on Ligatures” is a mini-book that contains five
chapters about Æ, the character ligature that is also the company’s
logo. Because the definition of the name is a mystery to some,
“The Ligature wanted a piece that would explain ligatures simply
and with depth to satisfy the curiosity of both the novice and
the educated reader,” Kuhlmann-Leavitt explains. The text functions
to educate but also works to exhibit the various materials
and processes the printer offers. By using lithography, embossing,
foil stamping and more, each French-folded sheet establishes the
versatility of the firm. Because “interacting with printed communications
goes beyond words and images on the page,” the team
selected the most tactile papers possible. Careful attention to
detail “sends the reader the subtle signal that the book was made
by craftspeople.” by Lauren J. Grundhofer
Kuhlmann-Leavitt | Designer: Deanna Kuhlmann-Leavitt | Client: The Ligature | Contact: www.kuhlmannleavitt.com