240x190mm Zines
4pp Cover onto 240gsm Uncoated
Matt laminated to the outer
74 inside pages onto 115gsm Uncoated
Black and White print throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound.
Manuela Amey’s zine, “Looking for Love,” is a black-and-white visual odyssey that explores the complexities of love and relationships. It’s a parody of personal ads, but it’s also a deep dive into the human psyche, asking what it means to be loved for who you truly are—flaws and all.
Hands down our favourite job of the year so far is this awesome FMP. Brilliantly photographed, unbelievably creative and unapologetically honest. It follows Manuela as she traverses the UK and Yorkshire looking for love and then concludes…it’s just better to chat to your mates, eat a bowl of porridge and think about climbing a tree.
Brilliant black and white photography all the way through with a focus on Manuela’s hand drawn and hand painted signage. It’s just an awesome, engaging book at unique custom print size.
If you’re going to do an FMP this year or next year, this is the benchmark. We love it!
Manuela Amey is a final year BA Fine Art student at the University of Leeds. Her work was showcased in the BA Fine Art Degree Show 2023, titled “Can you let us in?” The show explored themes such as domesticity, social sustainability, migration, identity, and femininity. Manuela’s project stands out as a bold statement on love and self-acceptance.
From the initial glimpse of the email conversation, Manuela Amey is discussing her unique art series titled ‘Looking 4 Love’. She provides a brief description of her project, which involves a parody of personal ads from newspapers, presented through black & white film photographs with corresponding text.
We’ll further delve into the conversation to capture the essence of the interactions, Manuela’s aspirations for her final major project, and how Ex Why Zed provided solutions and support.
The email conversation between first time self-publisher Manuela Amey and Ex Why Zed unfolds as follows:
To encapsulate, Manuela Amey’s burning desire to materialise her artistic introspection into ‘A5 Final Major Project printing’ found the perfect partner in Ex Why Zed. Their harmonious collaboration was a testament to the magic of merging art with expertise. This narrative left many budding artists pondering, “Where can I print a final major project?” as they dreamt of a similar transformative journey.
In a world saturated with colour, Ex Why Zed took a daring step back into the realm of black and white, delivering a publication that’s a masterclass in minimalist design. The 240x190mm book is an ode to simplicity, yet it packs a punch that’s hard to forget. ??
For the tech aficionados, this gem came with a 4pp cover on 240gsm uncoated paper, matt laminated to the outer for that premium feel. The 74 inside pages were printed on 115gsm uncoated paper. The black and white print throughout is a statement, not a limitation. ?
The author’s style is refreshingly straightforward. It’s a no-frills approach that aligns perfectly with the monochromatic theme, proving that less can indeed be more.
A deep dive into the various facets of human experiences, this publication doesn’t need colours to make its point.
The visuals are a monochrome dream. The design choices are calculated to maximise the impact of each page, even without the crutch of colour.
The typography is clean, sleek, and tailored to enhance readability. It’s a beautiful example of how text can carry a design when executed skill fully.
Or rather, the lack thereof. The black and white scheme serves a purpose—drawing attention to the content and design without distractions.
The 240x190mm orientation complements the book’s content, giving it a unique form factor. And let’s not forget the perfect binding that ensures the book not only looks good but feels good in the hand.
This isn’t a book you merely read; it’s a book you experience. The monochromatic design taps into a primal sense of aesthetic appreciation that’s universally relatable.
Inspired to create your own black and white masterpiece? Here’s how:
Ex Why Zed has outdone themselves yet again. This time, by embracing the power of simplicity through a monochromatic lens. It’s a publication that challenges norms while setting new standards in the print industry. ?
Inspired by Manuela’s journey? Ex Why Zed can bring your creative vision to life, too. Check out Manuela’s other works and get started on your own project today!
