Douglas Blazek
Douglas Blazek: Open the Mirror Like a Window Exhibition Catalog
Overview
In early 2019, I had the privilege of designing a limited-edition catalog for Douglas Blazek, an extraordinary fine artist and poet. This collection, titled Open the Mirror Like a Window, was created for his exhibition at the University Library Gallery at California State University, Sacramento. Many of the pieces in the exhibition—and consequently in this catalog—had never been publicly shared before, making this project especially meaningful.
The catalog includes an introduction by James D. Fox and two written pieces by Blazek himself: Breakfast in Heaven and As an Artist / As a Poet. It features 40 full-page color reproductions of the artist’s collages, representing about half of the works in the exhibition. This 80+ page catalog captures the unique, multimedia nature of Blazek’s art, with careful attention to the integrity and complexity of his work. My goal was to present his diverse collages and compositions in a way that honored their intimacy and depth, creating a design that allowed the rawness of his vision to shine while staying true to the project’s specific brief.
The Idea
The catalog needed to reflect Blazek’s deeply personal artistic voice and the layered intricacy of his collages, while maintaining a clean, cohesive design that supported and elevated his work.
Inspired by the multi-dimensionality of Blazek’s art and the artists adamant desire for each piece to feature prominently, I designed layouts that allowed each piece to breathe, balancing white space with thoughtful typography to complement the richness of the imagery. The cover design was intentionally minimal, using elegant typography to echo the catalog’s focus on Blazek’s artwork as the centerpiece. The catalog’s limited-edition nature was underscored by numbering each book individually, creating a sense of exclusivity and value.
Design Execution
Material Selection: The catalog was printed on Mohawk Everyday Digital Silk paper, chosen for its tactile quality and ability to reproduce the vibrant textures and tones of the artwork.
Binding & Format: The 7.25 x 9-inch perfect-bound format provided a polished, refined finish, enhancing the catalog’s feel as an exclusive artifact.
Printing Process: A 4/4 full-color ink process was used to achieve rich, vivid reproductions of Blazek’s layered compositions.
Limited Edition Details: Each catalog was individually numbered (e.g., 1/300), emphasizing its exclusivity and collectible nature.
The Process
Designing this catalog presented unique challenges due to Blazek’s strong creative vision and the intimate nature of his work. Collaboration required careful negotiation between his artistic preferences and my design expertise.
Key steps in the process included:
Art Presentation: Archival photographs of Blazek’s intricate, multimedia works were carefully edited and arranged to preserve their authenticity and vibrancy. The book features 40 full color images.
Layout Development: Each spread was designed to highlight the texture and depth of the artwork, using a balanced grid and clean typography to avoid overwhelming the imagery.
Client Collaboration: Working directly with Blazek required active listening and patience, ensuring that his input shaped the final outcome while maintaining a polished, professional design.
Reflection
Designing Open the Mirror Like a Window was one of the most creatively and personally rewarding projects of my career. The lack of precedent for presenting Blazek’s work publicly required a highly tailored approach, balancing his artistic vision with my own design instincts. The project demanded diplomacy, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace challenges.
What made this project especially significant was the opportunity to focus on purely illustrative and fine-art elements—an aspect I have had limited opportunities to explore in my career. Working on a collection of such raw and intimate art reminded me of the transformative power of thoughtful design to honor an artist’s vision while creating something impactful and enduring.
In the end, the catalog became more than a book—it was a testament to the importance of collaboration, patience, and the role of design in preserving and sharing creative work with the world. Its also a pretty great anecdote on how designers and fine artists are dramatically different creatures.
Copy and images shown within mockups/photographs of the book are copyright Douglas Blazek 2019.