Snip is a book that explores the barber shop universe in the city of Toronto. It can be read as collection of images of one of the best shops in the city and/or as an introductory profile of some barbers, providing rich insights on how they began their careers and what they have to say about this industry today.
The solution for this book was to use a different mix of elements and visual strategies to speak about this world in different and subtle ways. The first aspect is the use of full-bleed photography. They show a wide variety between wide, mid-range, and close up shots, creating a rhythm that resembles the environment of a barber shop. The only black and white photographs are featured on the cover and on the chapter spreads, giving a visual brake from all colours from previous pages and preparing the reader for the next chapter. The visual treatment of the type and the teal colour reflect the “barbicide” products that are present in all shops. The quotes of the barbers are mixed with small collages of elements that can be found in these places, adding a quirky aspect to the spreads. The folios were also placed and designed to reference the barber poles often found in these shops, giving an insight into what it feels like to be in such places.
