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text mavis ang photography WinsTon CHUang art direction KaFFY Tan

getting intimate with book authors is part and parcel of designers sarah Tang and alison schoolings job. Under the banner of their design firm sarah and schooling, the best friends are behind the cover design of many paperbacks and art books published by math Paper Press (Books actuallys publishing arm). These include Bursting seams by Jollin Tan, containing poems about her struggle with self-image; and i Will survive edited by leow Yangfa, a collection of real-life stories by singapores lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The design process begins at page one, where sarah and alison speed-read through the manuscript. They then go through intense (and often intimate and revealing) discussions with both the author and math Paper Press founder Kenny leck. We often end up getting to know the authors personally in the attempt of better representing their works, sarah explains of how each cover is conceptualised. alison adds: We cant get this involved creatively and emotionally as designers if we werent working for our own company.

The animated and down-to-earth pair, who met at lasalle, had their eureka moment when a casual chat with Kenny spun off into this collaboration. He eventually offered them an office space and some funding to kick-start their business. Both in their mid-twenties, they feel very fortunate to be able to run their own practice so early in their careers. speaking passionately of their work (they also take on branding projects from other clients), they hint that some book cover designs might be turned into posters. great news for those who love both local literature and sophisticated designs for the home!

who saraH Tang and alison sCHooling

why THe design dUo is resPonsiBle For THe sTYlisH

Covers seen on a series oF loCallY ProdUCed BooKs.

what gets them out of bed in the morning

sPending Time WiTH eaCH oTHer.

Pick up the aforementioned books at the math Paper Press showroom, 62 neil road, tel: 6222-1587; and Books actually, 9 Yong siak street, tel: 6222-9195.

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sarah and alison like to keep their designs simple and stylish. top sarah says alisons easy-going attitude keeps her opinionated nature in check at work.