A documentary series in print exploring reproduction and the rationale behind  the works of artists and designers, 1:1:1 is a series of small publications in which printing matter converges with the subject matter, the image with the text, the reproduction with the original and ‘the designer’ with ‘the client’. Each issue will be inspired by the works of a specially selected artist, designer or musician which will dictate the number of issues in this series. The subject of conversation is the basis for investigating graphic design and printing as a form of expression. 1:1:1 is an initiative of Niessen & de Vries.

The first issue was made in collaboration with Eylem Aladogan. Eylem Aladogan (the Netherlands, 1975) makes monumental sculptures and spatial installations; where the rich use of materials and the strange, yet familiar-looking forms refer to a world in which high tension exists between technological ingenuity, cultural richness and desires that are as dangerous as they are fascinating. 

One of Eylems sources of inspiration is a comic book or ‘graphic novel’ by Frank Miller. Taking this into consideration, Niessen & de Vries incorporated the graphic style of frames to lay-out the imagery.

Eylem was interviewed about her work and about the way she thinks about the reproduction of her work. We decided to only publish the answers she gave, as an interrupted monologue.

The design tries to focus on the 3-dimensionality and the richness of layers in Eylems work by showing works from different angles as if the camera moves around the work, sometimes overprinting images and mixing colors.

The booklet was printed in 2 types of black (a red one and a blue one) that are sometimes printed on top of each other.

In between the two black layers, an opaque white offset colour was printed twice. This unusual ink produces beautiful effects.

The publication has a limited print run of 500 and an accompanying poster that  was produced in an edition of 20. The poster utilises the test prints from 1:1:1 with silkscreened design layered on top.