KENT SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE CATALOGUE

Each summer the Kent School of Architecture marks the end of the academic year with a public exhibition that brings together graduating students, practitioners, and prospective employers. The catalogue is the companion to that show. It gathers the work of every student and frames it with short texts from staff, unit leaders, and the school, setting out the themes explored across the year. In 2016 I led the student production team responsible for turning hundreds of individual submissions into a single, coherent publication to a professional standard.

The task was part editorial, part project management, and part production. We coordinated artwork and text from more than 500 students across undergraduate, master’s, and PhD cohorts. Submissions arrived in different formats and at various stages of readiness, so a clear process was essential. We set technical standards for imagery and type, issued guidance for captions and credits, and created simple checklists so that each student knew exactly what was required. A shared schedule kept the team focused on the weekly priorities as the print deadline approached.

Quality control ran throughout. We checked files on receipt, requested fixes where needed, and ran pre‑flight checks before handing over to print. The relationship with Ex Why Zed, the print supplier, was straightforward and collaborative. Early conversations covered stock, binding, and colour management so there were no surprises at proof stage. The front cover artwork was designed by Serwin Saleme. Giving the catalogue a clear identity and set the tone for the rest of the book.

The result

Working to a tight deadline sharpened decisions. The result was a well‑produced catalogue that showed the breadth of student work and guided visitors through the show. For students, it worked as a calling card in conversations with practice. For the school, it recorded the year’s teaching and matched the quality of the exhibition.