2023 to Present
Independent
Principal
An independent practice for identity, editorial, and digital work. One or two commissions at a time, drawn at full size.
About
Clara Voss.
Clara Voss is a designer and art director working under Platemark, a practice for identity, editorial, and digital work. She treats every commission as a plate to be inked: held in one hand, made to be used, and built to last.
She works with publishers, houses, and institutions that care how they are seen. The studio is small on purpose. One or two projects at a time, drawn at full size, then reduced with care.
Houses and publishers
Meridian HouseCalder EditionsThe Strand SocietyOak and LetterAugust PressWren Bindery
Studio table
Proofs, 2025
Approach
Look hard. Draw. Print a proof.
01
Look
Read the work that already exists. Sit with the thing that has to be made, and with the people who will use it.
02
Draw
Full size first. Type, marks, and pictures are designed together, not assembled at the end.
03
Proof
Print it, put it on a table, and adjust until it feels inevitable. Then reduce it with care.
Appointments
15-25
2020 to 2023
Full-time
Art Director
Identity and publication design for a small literary publisher: jackets, series marks, and the paper they live on.
2017 to 2020
Full-time
Designer
Catalogues, stills, and campaign pictures for an independent press.
2015 to 2017
Assistant
Studio Assistant
Typesetting, proofing, and press checks, learning to look hard before drawing.
In Print
22-25
2025
The Imprint
A practice of paper
A short conversation on working at the size of a plate, then reducing with care.
2024
August School
Visiting lecture
Type and image, given to the graduate class in publication design.
2023
Paper Annual
Northbound Press, selected
The Northbound Press identity, chosen for the year’s survey of printed work.
2022
Letter and Room
Studio visit
A look at the table, the proofs, and how a commission moves through the room.