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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07 OST INATO EP1
A lathe cut record with handbound packaging


ART DIRECTION
PRINT PRODUCTION EP1 marks the debut of my electronic music project, Ost inato. Inspired by a conversation with friend and author Ray Nayler (who also penned the poem on the back cover) about the benefits of working on one piece at a time until completion, I set out to create a collection of hardware-driven electronic compositions. The EP blends four-on-the-floor and broken rhythms, all cloaked in a hazy, dubby atmosphere. Samples of DJ battle records and field recordings of Toronto's Bluffer's Beach are woven into a rich tapestry of sound that slowly unfolds and evolves. Each piece is a carefully constructed journey, with subaqueous basslines underpinning shimmering, reverb-drenched textures. The result is a deep listen that rewards attentive ears with subtle shifts in liminal spaces.

The physical edition of the album is as much a labour of love as the music itself. Each copy is housed in a manually printed and bound 12" jacket, from which a clear lathe-cut 10" disc slides out on a tray. Wanting to reconnect with hands-on creation after being inspired by a friend's video on traditional bookbinding techniques, I crafted the packaging without the use of modern machinery, all within the confines of my home studio. The jacket text was printed using a relief technique involving polymer dies, echoing the process of gravestone rubbings. I imported Arjowiggins Keaykolour Vellum (now discontinued) paper in "Port Wine" and "Holly" shades for the jacket, which encases a black bookboard tray featuring a clever locking mechanism to control the depth of its opening.

This painstaking process spanned three months to produce just a dozen copies, each one a unique artifact that honours the craftsmanship of traditional printing and binding methods. The process, similar to creating tipped-on record jackets but entirely by hand, required patience, precision, and a deep appreciation for the art of bookbinding. The result is a truly distinctive physical release that complements the carefully constructed sounds within, offering a complete sensory experience that bridges the gap between digital audio and tactile artistry.

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Seeing sounds, hearing images