NEW YORK–With subjects from Viking ships to Vegas providing the inspiration, Barnes & Noble will release its second, expanded group of back-to-school items through its product development partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design’s Working Class Studio this summer. Eight present and past student artists designed this year’s range of contemporary graphics for journals, notebooks, sketchbooks, pencil cases and messenger bags.
This year’s collection numbers about 20 items, up from 15 last year, said Bill Miller, vice president of gift for Barnes & Noble. “Now, we have more depth in the collection,” he said. “We have a bigger focus on back-to-school.” The traditional back-to-school offering for students is “pretty basic,” he added, but the Barnes & Noble collection with SCAD is a “more unique presentation. It’s for students that want more than a black and white notebook.”
In addition, the new collection is “more gender neutral,” and some designs include metallic finishes because “metallics are so hot now.”
Of last year’s collection, about four of the designs are now in Barnes & Noble core assortment. Miller added that Barnes & Noble will have more announcements on new collections separate from the SCAD partnership in the coming months.
