I wandered into graphic design accidentally. As a musician, I had always created the posters and packaging for bands I played with. When I saw that a local book arts center was offering rental time in their letterpress print shop, I figured it would be a good cheap way to do some of my own CD packaging. Before I knew it, I was being asked to design and print CD packages for other folks, and I was printing at all hours of the day and night. I ended up buying a press and setting up shop on Havemeyer Street in Brooklyn (later moving to 13th Street in Manhattan). That was the beginning of Rag & Bone Shop.

Gradually the harsh economics of printing caused me to migrate towards traditional design work, and I found that I enjoyed it even more. I spent a number of years designing and art directing at New York City publishing houses, and doing freelance work on the side for bands, record labels, and anyone in need of a creative designer and a good listener.

In 2005, I moved with my family to Phoenicia, a small town in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York, where I continue to design books, music packaging, logos, and whatever else comes my way. For the truly intrepid, more news and personal musings can be found at my blog.

My design work has been praised in the pages of Spin, the Village Voice, the New York Times, Rolling Stone, and the journal of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and—more importantly—by many satisfied clients.

Thanks for looking around. Please give me a call or email me to discuss your project.

Mark Lerner
32 Waterworks Rd.
Phoenicia, NY 12464
Telephone: (845) 688-5297
mark@ragandboneshop.com