Laura Shore
Senior Vice President of Communications, Mohawk Fine Papers
Albany, NY
mohawkpaper.com

Title: Explore, Charles Luck Stone Center
Company: Werner Design Werks, Inc.
Category: Brochures

“There was so much strong work in this show that I had a number of candidates for judge’s pick but I’ll focus on Explore because it surprised me. In my role as a client, I generally resist designers’ attempts to turn simple brochures into books. So I was prepared to dismiss the Explore book as beautiful, yet overproduced and probably pretentious. But the designer had me on page one, with the beautiful type treatment of the subject’s claim that “You can become a stone fanatic at any age.” This book works at all levels. It communicates the client’s passion and personal commitment and generates a sense of trust. Each spread is unique and beautifully crafted. The writing and photography are inspired and an unlikely subject quickly becomes truly interesting. By the end of the book I had become a stone fanatic. This book takes the glossy corporate capabilities brochure and shakes it up. The designer created an artifact that is as individual as the client and as well crafted as the products that they sell. I will never look at a granite counter top the same way again.”