“Great image-making and art direction are about embracing the idea that the finality is the sum of many parts — the perfect juxtaposition and blending of various ingredients and talents,” writes Ezra Petronio in his self-titled debut monograph, which spans his storied career in the creative industries.

The role of an art director is inherently multifaceted; it requires juggling the visual language of a project with being able to articulate your ideas clearly to a team and then executing the creative vision to make the finished product – be it a film, ad, magazine, or book cover.

Petronio is best known as the founder and art director behind creative agency Petronio Associates, which has worked with brands such as Chanel and Comme des Garçons along with some of the biggest names in fashion. But he’s also an avid photographer, the founder of digital agency Content Matters, and has served as editor-in-chief and creative director of cult biannual fashion magazine, Self Service, since 1994.