Project brief: To document an installation of three monumental sculptures by contemporary Los Angeles artist Paul McCarthy at a new art space in Los Angeles in one volume and the preparatory work that led him to the sculptures (based on a group of studies of Hummel figurines) in a companion volume. Both volumes contain the artist’s statements, essays and checklists.

Approach: The books combine working models, process pictures and final images of finished works. Inspired by sweet figurines of children, these particular works inspired us to use a large “picture book” format, uncoated paper and a color scheme that alludes to the uneasy biological, fleshy interpretation embodied in Paul McCarthy’s work. The books were designed hand in hand with the artist so they represent a sort of “artist’s book/designer’s book” hybrid.

Effectiveness: Hard to say! But people respond to the weird mood of these two volumes.

Straightforward yet creepy and gorgeous.