Founded in 2011, Textbook Studio is the creative practice of Chris Shearston. The studio focuses on the design and art direction of printed materials, especially visual identity, editorial and publication design, for predominantly Arts & Culture sector clients. Since 2014 Textbook has worked as the design team of Cloudwater Brew Co across everything from logo design, label artwork, taproom layout and video editing.

The studio was established as a means of pursuing an independent multi-disciplinary practice, rejecting the traditional studio model in favour of a more democratic structure and approach to working with people. Each project should belong equally to everybody involved and so I prefer to establish, as partners, more long-term relationships with clients.

Physically making things is important to the practice, often the studio itself functions as a workshop and printroom. Outside of designing and teaching, the studio undertakes self-initiated and often collaborative projects which have no external client, allowing play, testing of ideas, experimentation and development of new skills.

In 2015, I co-founded a shared studio space is situated within the grounds of Islington Mill Studios, Salford. The Engine House Collective is a group of close friends and fellow creatives, with the aim of creating a work space which fostered collaboration, experimentation, the sharing of tools, and the idea of solidarity in friendship.