BOOK DESIGN
Ghislaine Howard: The Human Touch
Award-winning art book design exploring the life and work of one of Britain’s leading figurative painters.
Project Details
Client: Manchester Metropolitan University / Contemporary Art Society North West (Collect)
Author: Michael Howard
Service: Book Design / Editorial Design / Art Direction / Print Production
Year: 2017
Published by Manchester Metropolitan University and Collect, Ghislaine Howard: The Human Touch is a substantial 287-page monograph documenting the life, influences and artistic practice of acclaimed British painter Ghislaine Howard.
Written by Michael Howard, the publication brings together extensive essays, archival material and hundreds of full-colour reproductions spanning decades of Howard’s work.
The design sought to create a publication that reflected both the humanity and distinctive visual language of the artist. Particular attention was given to pacing, image sequencing, typography and material selection, ensuring the book functioned as both a scholarly reference and a tactile object.
The cover concept emerged directly from Howard's practice and personal history. Having produced works exploring willed blindness and the vulnerability of the fragile self in her self-portraits wearing a blindfold, her name was placed boldly across her eyes. While unconventional for an artist monograph, the intervention reflected themes already present throughout her work and created a distinctive presence on the bookshelf.
Published by Manchester Metropolitan University and Collect, Ghislaine Howard: The Human Touch is a substantial 287-page monograph documenting the life, influences a
The title was also refined to strengthen the publication's identity, positioning Ghislaine Howard prominently while retaining The Human Touch as a subtitle. The result was a clearer and more memorable publication, helping the book stand apart from more conventional artist biographies.
Considerable research was undertaken into materials and production finishes, including sourcing an unusually soft cloth covering from the Netherlands. These decisions reinforced the tactile qualities central to both the publication and Howard's artistic concerns, creating a book that reflects the sensitivity and humanity found throughout her work.
The publication demonstrates a concept-led approach to editorial design, where typography, materials and production choices become active contributors to the narrative rather than simply containers for content.
See Kingdom, Be Still, and Sparks and Wake for published art book design.
“Ghislaine and I have worked with Micah Purnell on a number of projects including Ghislaine Howard: The Human Touch. He is an exceptional designer, always sensitive to the needs, possibilities and challenges of any project. His knowledge, professionalism and inventiveness are a crucial part of the creative process, of which the completed text is only the beginning. He delivers.”
— Michael Howard, Author