A Shower of Proofs

Inspired by “the number of proofs that can be produced easily and cheaply in the digital printing process,” graphic designer Azadeh Yaraghi took proofing to another level with the creation of her Psycho Curtain, pictured here.

Yaraghi created an original color image paying homage to the shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's movie, Psycho, using pencil crayons on paper to produce the originals. These she scanned and color-adjusted along the way “to try different effects and colors.” She then digitally output the proofs with a Xerox iGen3 onto Xerox Digital Color Silk 100 lb. cover stock. The final curtain, measuring 6 ft. 8 in. x 6 ft. 8 in., comprises a cascade of proofs held together by binder rings.

The project is just one of many included in The Art & Science of Digital Printing: The Parsons Guide to Getting it Right, from New York City's Parsons School of Design in conjunction with Xerox. The first half of the 70-page book focuses on the artistic side of digital printing and includes notes from the Parsons students on how they produced their projects. The book's second half describes the technical side of digital printing and offers tips on a variety of issues, including maintaining consistent color and checking image resolution.

Produced on a Xerox iGen3 printer, the guide will initially be available upon request from Xerox Graphic Arts Premier Partners who use iGen3 presses in the metro New York area; it will then be released nationwide throughout the year. (Xerox: www.xerox.com/xpp, Parsons School of Design: www.parsons.edu)