Remembering Martin Lee (1941-2025)

Martin Lee managed print production for the D&AD Annuals from 2001 to 2019. We were fortunate to have him work with us during the last 19 years of his long and prolific career, which gave us plenty of time to get to know Martin. He was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about his speciality. He strived for perfection and took pride in his work. He shared his love for books and the craft of producing them with everyone around him — D&AD may have been his client, but he never stopped teaching us about printing and book production.

We worked together on complex projects, often under tight deadlines. This would never faze him, as he enjoyed the process of creating a book and finding solutions to even the most extreme production challenges. When he was in action at the printing presses in Italy, where most of our books were printed, he was in his element, knowing exactly what was happening and what needed to happen, fully in control and on top of the world.

Many who worked with him — clients, suppliers, printers, and designers — will remember him fondly for his precision, commitment, passion, knowledge, and kindness. For us, he is forever a member of the D&AD family, and he remains with us through the many D&AD Annuals he made so beautiful. Thank you, Martin; you will be missed.