About Us

The Ilex Press has achieved an international reputation as a publisher of high quality illustrated reference books which cover all aspects of creativity and popular culture. The company was formed in January 2000 as a collaborative venture between the directors of The Ivy Press and Alastair Campbell. Ilex Press books are published under its own imprint, ILEX, throughout the World in the English language (excluding North America), and are distributed in these markets by Thames & Hudson. In North America Ilex Press books are sold under various imprints by well-known publishers such as The Reader's Digest, Chronicle Books, Abrams, Harper Collins, Watson Guptill, St Martin's Press, Running Press, and O'Reilly. Ilex Press books are translated into many languages including French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Korean, etc.

The ILEX list exists to address the new creative needs which are constantly being unveiled by the fast moving pace of the modern media, digital technology and popular culture. Whether they address difficult practical and technical problems, or the natural desire for inspiration, wonder and fun, every ILEX book takes a clear, in-depth look at its chosen subject, opening doors for the reader, creating new perspectives and breathing fresh life into classic themes.

The fast moving field of digital photography has created the need for intensely practical handbooks and reference works for professional and amateur alike, and ILEX continues to answer that need with authoritative and exciting titles. ILEX is now considered to be one of the foremost publishers of digital photography titles in the world, with many of its titles appearing regularly in the category bestsellers.

Popular culture and the visual media are constantly throwing up new talents, new genres and new challenges – and ILEX's inspirational surveys allow the reader to be instantly up-to-date with the latest trends. Meanwhile, the ubiquity of the home computer allows for innovative expressions of classic themes.

ILEX's key to success is its ability to identify the needs of the digital creative which have hitherto been ignored by general trade publishing, and also its ability to develop high quality products for both consumers and professionals alike. ILEX books are authored by leading exponents in their fields, and set out to provide both practical, hands-on instruction for the reader as well as inspiration and ideas.