Tough Enough for the Job Site. Clean Enough for a Design Studio.
Considerations & Thought Process
I've done plenty of catalogues in the past, but I chose this one to display on this website as it required a bit more thought than most. This wasn’t just a prettier version of the old catalogue, it was a complete rethink of what a commercial hardware catalogue could be. The goal was to create something that not only looked better, but worked harder in the real world: tougher, clearer, easier to navigate, and actually useful across all touchpoints, from the builder on-site to the architect at their desk.
1. Built to Last
The last few catalogues got wrecked fast, scuffed covers, worn pages, totally thrashed after a few weeks on the job. So I made the call to invest in a matte laminate cover, even at a higher per-unit cost, because it keeps the catalogue looking clean and sharp longer. I also chose low-sheen semi-gloss stock inside, tough enough to survive dusty benches and glovebox storage, but with enough finish to make the product imagery and diagrams punchy and professional.
2. Navigation That Actually Helps
Most catalogues use colour-coded sections to help with navigation. That works, but I didn’t want to break brand just to make it easier to flip pages. So I kept everything on-brand with Miles Nelson green and introduced a new two-tiered margin system:
A vertical glossary of sections on every spread, with the current one highlighted and underlined
A list of sub-sections specific to that section, also clearly marked
It’s fast, scannable, and always visible, no more flipping to the index or relying on memory. Just smart, subtle wayfinding that gets you where you need to go.
3. Technical Info That Speaks Their Language
Locksmiths, builders, architects, they all need different things from a product page. I created original CAD-style technical illustrations for all mortice locks and rebate kits, including precise measurements and key installation points. This turned the catalogue into a practical reference tool, not just a sales brochure. Less guesswork, fewer mistakes, faster installs.
4. A Product Code System That Makes Sense
In the commercial mortice lock category, there are so many variations we couldn’t list them all without blowing out the page count. So I dedicated a full spread to explaining the product code system, a visual breakdown that helps customers build the exact code they need, based on function, size, and finish. Clear, clean, and way less frustrating than trying to interpret a wall of text.
5. From Wholesale Collateral to Coffee Table Quality
Ultimately, this project was about raising the standard. The catalogue had to be tough enough for trade, but clean enough to feel like a piece of industrial design. We took something that’s usually forgettable and made it feel valuable, something worth keeping, referencing, and using again and again.
