Information Office is an art book publisher and design practice. The office approaches publishing as a meeting of curation and design, emphasizing projects that collaborate with artists and cultural institutions.

History

Following a successful tenure as a graphic designer in both studio and art museum contexts, Derek Barnett formed the independent design studio Information Office in 2006, which produced graphic design, websites, identities and art book projects with cultural institutions and independent contemporary artists. In 2017, Barnett began discussions with long-time artistic collaborator Jonathan Middleton of transitioning Information Office into an art and design institution. Middleton is an established curator and facilitator in Canada's artist-run centre community, notably at the helm of Fillip Magazine, the Western Front, the Or Gallery, and as a member of numerous provincial and federal art advisory boards. Together, they realized publishing was a natural direction for the company, given their respective careers and individual interests in supporting contemporary artist publishing. In 2018/2019 Middleton left Information Office to take the helm of Art Metropole (Toronto) but remains a frequent collaborator with Information Office on special book projects.

Product Image

Collaborations

Past and frequent collaborators include Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery (Vancouver), Vancouver Art Gallery, Julia Stoschek Collection (Berlin/Düsseldorf), The Vinyl Factory UK, Environmental Design Archive at UC Berkeley, Kunstverein in Hamburg, Simon Fraser University Galleries (Vancouver), The Cinematheque (Vancouver), The Polygon Gallery (North Vancouver), Schinkel Pavillon (Berlin), The Power Plant (Toronto), Ikon Gallery (Birmingham), Contemporary Art Gallery (Vancouver), Museu Picasso (Barcelona), and the Seattle Art Museum.

Distribution

Idea Books is a specialist wholesaler and distributor of books and exhibition catalogues on contemporary architecture, art, photography, design, fashion, and film. Founded in 1976, Idea Books distributes for publishers and institutions from around the world. For INFO Books distribution to US and International retailers, please visit:http://www.ideabooks.nl/

Art Metropole is a retailer and distributor committed to the dissemination of artist publications. Founded in 1974 by the artist collective General Idea as an artist-run centre, ArtMet proved the model for other artist-run bookstores, and today strives to be the foremost source of contemporary Canadian art books. For INFO Books distribution to Canadian retailers, please visit: https://artmetropole.com/

For general wholesale and distribution inquiries, please contact info@i-o.cc.

Profiles

Derek Barnett, Principal
d@i-o.cc

Stephanie Rebick, Editor
s@i-o.cc

Emma Walter, Editor e@i-o.cc

Site designed by Information Office.
Developed by Document Services.