Perish Plains Vol. 1-4

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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06 PERISH PLAINS VOL. 1-4

A curated series of illustrated collaborations

Print Production
Layout

As the publisher of Perish Publishing, I brought to life the Perish Plains series, an innovative concept originally envisioned by my editor, Ryan Dodgson. This groundbreaking project paired contemporary artists to collaborate on 20-30 pages of abstract landscapes or environments, spotlighting talent from the alternative comics and zine scene. Ryan's artistic direction in selecting and pairing artists was crucial, while my role focused on overseeing the intricate production process. This involved guiding artists through the complexities of high-resolution scanning and proper file setup for colour separations, ensuring that each contribution maintained its artistic integrity while meeting our technical requirements.

The production process was a testament to craftsmanship and technical precision. I personally operated all the printing equipment, including risographs for the vibrant, psychedelic colour schemes that became a hallmark of the series. The finishing touches - die-cutting, foil stamping, and saddle-stitching - were executed under my supervision, elevating each volume into a unique, custom-crafted piece. The roster of artists was impressive, featuring influential names like Ron Rege Jr., Fiona Smyth, Patrick Kyle, and Michael DeForge. Each volume brought a distinctive energy to the project, quickly gaining a cult following with all four volumes selling out rapidly. This success not only validated our artistic vision but also expanded the possibilities of risograph printing, resulting in books that were as much works of art as they were showcases of talent.

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Seeing sounds, hearing images