This signed and numbered edition of 1Q84 is limited to exactly 111 copies. The front and back covers are printed on Somerset, a 100 percent cotton archival paper, using a Swiss-made 1963 Gietz Art Platen hand-fed letterpress. This limited edition is a collaboration between Simon Rhodes, Kristen Harrison at  The Curved House and designer  Stefanie Posavec. Text design by Jim Smith. Covers printed by Justin Knopp at   Typoretum. Text pages printed and bound by Graphicom, Verona. Published by Harvill Secker in 2011.

1Q84 Limited Edition – Books 1, 2 & 3

1Q84 Limited Edition – Signed back of Book 3

1Q84 Limited Edition – Book 3

1Q84 Limited Edition – Book 2 (detail)

More photographs of this project can be viewed on our  Flickr Photostream.

“Tension is frequently described as a positive in design, with designers balancing opposing constraints and visual ideas in often ‘perfect tension’. Design work balances a whole series of tensions: analogue–digital; male–female; Twitter–Facebook; art–design; East–West; old–young; interns–employees; global–local; micro–macro; educated–‘feral’; in-house–independent; degree course–short course/apprenticeship; designer–client.

In these uncertain times of economic and educational cutbacks, what of the old adage that from adversity comes creativity? In the aftermath of WWII, the exhibition ‘Britain can make it’ celebrated the potential of design as a tool for national recovery. The political struggles of the 1960s fuelled the portfolios of a generation of our most celebrated graphic designers. So where are seeds of creativity emerging from current struggles? What are the key points of tension today and what possibilities for designerly making and thinking are opening up as a result? Is tension vital to the design process itself?

Join us to such ask questions and more at Critical Tensions, the tenth annual St Bride Library conference, 10–11 November 2011. Embracing history, education and design practice, this two-day event provides a space for meeting and voicing concerns, for collectively exploring ideas, sharing strategies, consolidating knowledge, and for challenging and reaffirming values.”

For further information, or to book tickets to the Conference, click  here or visit the  St Bride Library website.