Alex Durlak Creative Operator
20+ years bridging art, sound, print & technology
Crafting experiences with an eclectic toolkit: from printing presses to DAWs, vinyl records to microcontrollers, and spreadsheets to legal contracts. Equipped with a knack for problem-solving and a love for figuring things out on the spot.

This site is a selection of case studies of various projects.

Available for full-time and freelance work, while also maintaining an art practice.

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08 AMATEUR PRINTER v2
An artists’ book


Art Direction
Print ProductionThe Amateur Printer project exemplifies my passion for bridging historical printing techniques with contemporary design and production methods. Inspired by Peter Beilenson's 1949 essay urging commercial printers to rediscover the joy of their craft, I took on the challenge of creating a modern interpretation that honours the spirit of the original while exploring the possibilities of digital printing and design.

Drawing from my expertise in typography and graphic design, I created vector illustrations in Adobe Illustrator and laid out the book in InDesign, referencing the elegant proportions of Egyptian papyri as outlined in Robert Bringhurst's The Elements of Typographic Style. This approach allowed me to create a visual language that resonates with the historical context of the essay while maintaining a fresh, contemporary feel. The production process showcased my resourcefulness, as I sourced a rare, textured coated stock – now discontinued – to achieve the perfect tactile quality for the project. Printing on a digital press, I was able to maintain the high level of detail in the illustrations while ensuring colour consistency throughout the limited run. The result is a beautifully crafted book that not only pays homage to the art of printing but also serves as a playground for progressive experimentation in design, embodying the very essence of Beilenson's call to action.



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Seeing sounds, hearing images