Cole&Son
Categories
Editorial Design, Print Design, Digital Publications
Client
Cole&Son
Project
Editorial and Technical Publications
Services
Editorial Design Print Production and Pre-press Interactive PDF Design Layout Systems
Year
2021–2025
Cole&Son is a British design house known internationally for its distinctive wallpapers and fabrics. Between 2021 and 2025, I led the design of more than 40 editorial and technical publications, alongside advertising for leading interiors magazines. Working directly with the client as the sole designer, I translated extensive visual, narrative and product information into image-led brand books, collection guides and technical materials. The challenge was to preserve the expressive character of each collection while maintaining accuracy, consistency and usability across print and digital formats, often working with large volumes of content and exacting production requirements under tight deadlines.
The publications ranged from comprehensive brand books organised by colour, collection and design to interactive guides supporting new collection releases. Working within Cole&Son’s established identity, I developed layouts, grids, typographic hierarchies and reusable editorial systems that could accommodate collection stories, colourways, materials, technical specifications and marketing content. Consistent structures made each publication recognisably Cole&Son, while considered variations in composition, colour and pacing gave individual collections their own character.
The digital collection guides combined storytelling with detailed product information for an international audience of customers, interior designers, architects, retailers, trade partners and sales teams. I structured each guide as an interactive PDF, incorporating contents pages, internal navigation and external links to support movement through substantial documents. Client-supplied photography and copy were organised into clear, image-led sequences that balanced visual impact with the practical requirements of product presentation and technical reference.
For the technical publications, precision was central to the design process. Sample backstamp books presented full pattern repeats alongside specifications, barcodes and production information across A3, A4 and A5 formats, while roll wrap artwork documented panel configurations, measurements and installation details. I managed artwork preparation, print specifications, colour checking, proofing and pre-press, occasionally liaising directly with printers. Because these were highly produced and costly physical pieces, every file required close scrutiny to ensure visual and technical accuracy before production.
Alongside the core publications, I designed company magazines and advertising artwork for fashion, interiors and design titles, translating Cole&Son’s established visual language into considered, publication-ready layouts.
