Exposing the inner-workings: A unique retrospective showcase for an infrastructure design giant.
At DATAGRAPHIC, we thrive on projects that push the boundaries of traditional printing, where meticulous craftsmanship meets innovative design. Our recent collaboration with the esteemed infrastructure design firm HNTB to produce a premium exposed Smyth-sewn hardcover book, “Designing Tomorrow,” stands as a prime example. This wasn’t just a book; it was a tactile and visually striking artifact, meticulously crafted to celebrate HNTB’s remarkable 50-year legacy and showcase their profound impact on the built environment.
HNTB, a name synonymous with groundbreaking infrastructure design, sought a unique and design-forward format to commemorate their milestone anniversary. “Designing Tomorrow” serves as a powerful portfolio piece, offering a curated retrospective of their extensive body of work. The unique exposed Smyth-sewn hardcover book meticulously highlights a diverse range of their completed projects, underscoring both the monumental scale and the intricate craftsmanship inherent in their contributions to shaping our world.
Unveiling the structure of a lasting keepsake.
Specifically created for their 50th-anniversary celebration, this 200-page book transcends the typical portfolio. It’s a commemorative artifact, a tangible representation of HNTB’s journey, designed to not only honor their rich history but also to reinforce their forward-thinking identity as they continue to design tomorrow. Notably, a significant portion of the featured projects are located on college campuses, with a distinct emphasis on stadiums – iconic venues that serve as compelling examples of the firm’s specialization in large-scale, high-impact architectural design.
For DATAGRAPHIC, “Designing Tomorrow” marked an exciting first: the creation of a hardcover book featuring a distinctive die-cut cover that intentionally reveals the spine’s exposed Smyth-sewn binding. This deliberate design choice wasn’t merely aesthetic; it was a tactile, architectural statement intended to reflect the core values of structural integrity, meticulous materials selection, and unwavering attention to detail – principles that deeply resonate with HNTB’s ethos and mirror the myriad impressive works showcased within its pages.
How we crafted this unique exposed Smyth-Sewn hardcover book.
To bring this compelling concept to fruition, we embarked on a journey to select materials that prioritized both visual impact and tactile engagement. We settled on a pristine white uncoated book cloth, which we chose for its natural texture and sophisticated feel. We expertly wrapped this book cloth around a substantial 80-point board to create a turned-edge hardcover that possessed both refinement and an inherent architectural solidity. The weight and feel of the cover immediately communicate the premium nature of the structural wonders within.
The defining feature of this project is the precise 5” × 5” die cut applied to both the spine and the front cover. This bold design element creates a dramatic reveal of the exposed Smyth-sewn hardcover book binding along the spine. The intentional exposure of the binding threads becomes a design feature in itself, offering a glimpse into the book’s construction and highlighting the hand-crafted nature of the piece. This architectural aesthetic directly echoes the structural elements and material honesty central to HNTB’s design philosophy.
Digital printing expertise and hand-craftsmanship produce design excellence.
Inside “Designing Tomorrow,” the book block is digitally printed in full color onto 80# Cougar Opaque Smooth text stock. This paper was selected for its excellent print quality, providing vibrant reproduction of HNTB’s stunning project photography, as well as its smooth finish, which offers a pleasant tactile experience for the reader. Even the beautifully printed end leaves contribute to the overall visual cohesion and premium feel of the book.
Adding a subtle yet deliberate visual element that reinforces the hand-crafted aesthetic is the charcoal gray thread of the exposed Smyth-sewn hardcover book binding. This traditional binding technique involves sewing together sections or “signatures” of the book block with thread, creating an exceptionally strong and durable spine that allows the book to lay relatively flat. By leaving these stitches exposed, we highlight the structural integrity and the meticulous process involved in creating such a high-quality hardcover book.
A unique and impactful element of the binding is how the book block is adhered to the inside back cover only, leaving the front cover and spine completely free-floating. This unconventional binding method creates a dramatic and interactive opening experience. As the reader opens the book, the front cover and spine move independently, offering a tangible representation of the structural elements and adding a layer of intrigue and engagement.
Ensuring precision in every last detail.
The final stages of production involved carefully coordinated trimming to ensure clean edges and precise dimensions. Recognizing the value and delicate nature of this exposed Smyth-sewn hardcover book, we implemented bulk packaging designed to ensure each commemorative book arrived at its destination in pristine condition, ready for HNTB’s 50th-anniversary celebration.
The entire project, from initial concept to final packaged book, was completed within a tight timeframe of less than a month, with a total of 275 books produced. This reflects DATAGRAPHIC’s ability to execute highly customized and complex formats under pressure without ever compromising on quality or attention to detail.
Why DATAGRAPHIC excels at producing exposed Smyth-sewn hardcover books.
“Designing Tomorrow” is more than just a portfolio; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration, innovative design, and meticulous craftsmanship. The exposed Smyth-sewn hardcover book format, with its striking die-cut cover and thoughtful binding, perfectly encapsulates HNTB’s commitment to structural integrity, material selection, and design excellence.
This project showcases DATAGRAPHIC’s smart engineering and design prowess, demonstrating our ability to translate a client’s vision into a tangible and impactful reality. From the initial material selection to the precise die-cutting and the deliberate exposed Smyth-sewn hardcover book binding, every element was carefully considered to deliver not just a book, but a lasting keepsake that HNTB can proudly share as they celebrate their remarkable 50-year journey and continue to design the future. It’s a celebration of their legacy, beautifully bound and thoughtfully presented.