When confronted by a blank page, Mónica Zacarías connects intuitively and directly with the vision of each author: a book is gestated between the two of them, and the editorial work occurs in its own good time, luminously and naturally. As soon as she gets the green light to proceed, her hands take charge of transforming letters and lines as material and resources: each of her books is a harmonious body, well-proportioned on each page, fold, fly leaf, and stich born out of that precise logic, so hard to find, between the lectio-visual tradition and functional renovation. Mónica understands disegno as both concept and invention and therefore, every object that leaves the presses is reconstituted as a subject that communicates at the same time knowledge, enjoyment, and delight.

—Jaime Cuadriello, Art Historian

In 2012, Pilar Jiménez, my sister Jazmín and I asked Mónica Zacarías to design a book on the life of my father: Jaime Sabines. Notes for a biography. For five or six months, we met once a week to review texts and select old photographs and documents: unforgettable afternoons during which laughter and memories were shared. The result was a beautiful, elegant book, a gift from Mónica along with her friendship.

—Judith Sabines, Editor

They say an image speaks a thousand words. In the case of Mónica Zacarías, the image fully accompanies and more often than not, responds to the thousands of words in the books she designs, creating a parallel narrative. More than synthesizing with her cover designs, Mónica succeeds in inviting us to explore the contents of the book while adding layers of meaning. She combines the elegance of classic British design with a touch of audacity in which typography is a powerful visual element. In her work, she seeks maximum iconic significance and experiments with trends in such a way that instead of corroborating the meaning of the work –every reader finds their own, after all– Mónica creates a mystery, a door for the reader to open. Given that she is an inveterate reader and film buff in her own right, Mónica knows, she always knows, that behind those thousands of words lie many more.

—Rosa Beltrán, Author

Working with Mónica is not only a pleasure, but a complement, a lesson in constantly keeping an eye open for details and connections one never imagined... one of those binomials where the openness is such, that ideas flow as quickly as laughter, because enjoyment can be found anywhere. She is the master of limitless guides, of classic, measured texts; a constant seeker of innovation in book form. But don't take my word for it, pick up one of her publications and see for yourself.

—Julieta Hernández, Image Maker

Binding is our trade. For the past few years, Mónica Zacarías has advised us on how some of these artifacts, in addition to a novel structural system, may contain texts. Such is the case of the tripartite binding we developed that can be opened three different ways. We met with Mónica in an attempt not to leave any pages blank. That is how Back to Front was launched, a project dedicated to enhancing the traditional process of book composition by starting out with the binding, followed by the intervention of a designer who alternates between the features of the artist-book and the creativity of the author, who is the last one to have a seat at the table. Mónica not only took up the challenge, she transformed it into a solid, viable project; a harmonious, functional, and versatile object both in its physical form and its readable content.

—Luis Enríquez and Martha Romero, Restorers and Binders

When I first conceived of the idea of writing Wine Cellars of Mexico, I had no experience as an author except for my Bachelor's thesis and a few letters here and there. That's when Mónica Zacarías appeared along the way and became my guide and teacher –whether or not she is willing to admit it. Mónica took me by the hand to better explore and understand the fascinating challenge of creating a book. With her natural talent, vast experience, and endearing friendship, she made in an incredible voyage across lands and paths that were unknown to me: she even gave the narrative a subtle touch of freshness, finery and elegance that seduces, charms and amuses. It was a real joy working with her!

—Gabriel Gadsden Carrasco, Entrepreneur

I have known Mónica Zacarías for over three decades and have witnessed firsthand her impeccable creative evolution. Crowning the solid foundation of this growth is an extraordinary person of firm convictions, both endearing and positive, with whom it is easy to share an ethical stance in life. Not to mention her exquisite, enviable aesthetic sensitivity and spectacular passion for editorial detail and rigor, as well as her delightful cultural baggage. Given the ingredients, it comes as no surprise that in every new project with Mónica, trajectory becomes destiny with such ease.

—Josep Palau, Design Entrepreneur

When confronted by a blank page, Mónica Zacarías connects intuitively and directly with the vision of each author: a book is gestated between the two of them, and the editorial work occurs in its own good time, luminously and naturally. As soon as she gets the green light to proceed, her hands take charge of transforming letters and lines as material and resources: each of her books is a harmonious body, well-proportioned on each page, fold, fly leaf, and stich born out of that precise logic, so hard to find, between the lectio-visual tradition and functional renovation. Mónica understands disegno as both concept and invention and therefore, every object that leaves the presses is reconstituted as a subject that communicates at the same time knowledge, enjoyment, and delight.

—Jaime Cuadriello, Art Historian

In 2012, Pilar Jiménez, my sister Jazmín and I asked Mónica Zacarías to design a book on the life of my father: Jaime Sabines. Notes for a biography. For five or six months, we met once a week to review texts and select old photographs and documents: unforgettable afternoons during which laughter and memories were shared. The result was a beautiful, elegant book, a gift from Mónica along with her friendship.

—Judith Sabines, Editor

They say an image speaks a thousand words. In the case of Mónica Zacarías, the image fully accompanies and more often than not, responds to the thousands of words in the books she designs, creating a parallel narrative. More than synthesizing with her cover designs, Mónica succeeds in inviting us to explore the contents of the book while adding layers of meaning. She combines the elegance of classic British design with a touch of audacity in which typography is a powerful visual element. In her work, she seeks maximum iconic significance and experiments with trends in such a way that instead of corroborating the meaning of the work –every reader finds their own, after all– Mónica creates a mystery, a door for the reader to open. Given that she is an inveterate reader and film buff in her own right, Mónica knows, she always knows, that behind those thousands of words lie many more.

—Rosa Beltrán, Author

Working with Mónica is not only a pleasure, but a complement, a lesson in constantly keeping an eye open for details and connections one never imagined... one of those binomials where the openness is such, that ideas flow as quickly as laughter, because enjoyment can be found anywhere. She is the master of limitless guides, of classic, measured texts; a constant seeker of innovation in book form. But don't take my word for it, pick up one of her publications and see for yourself.

—Julieta Hernández, Image Maker

Binding is our trade. For the past few years, Mónica Zacarías has advised us on how some of these artifacts, in addition to a novel structural system, may contain texts. Such is the case of the tripartite binding we developed that can be opened three different ways. We met with Mónica in an attempt not to leave any pages blank. That is how Back to Front was launched, a project dedicated to enhancing the traditional process of book composition by starting out with the binding, followed by the intervention of a designer who alternates between the features of the artist-book and the creativity of the author, who is the last one to have a seat at the table. Mónica not only took up the challenge, she transformed it into a solid, viable project; a harmonious, functional, and versatile object both in its physical form and its readable content.

—Luis Enríquez and Martha Romero, Restorers and Binders

When I first conceived of the idea of writing Wine Cellars of Mexico, I had no experience as an author except for my Bachelor's thesis and a few letters here and there. That's when Mónica Zacarías appeared along the way and became my guide and teacher –whether or not she is willing to admit it. Mónica took me by the hand to better explore and understand the fascinating challenge of creating a book. With her natural talent, vast experience, and endearing friendship, she made in an incredible voyage across lands and paths that were unknown to me: she even gave the narrative a subtle touch of freshness, finery and elegance that seduces, charms and amuses. It was a real joy working with her!

—Gabriel Gadsden Carrasco, Entrepreneur

I have known Mónica Zacarías for over three decades and have witnessed firsthand her impeccable creative evolution. Crowning the solid foundation of this growth is an extraordinary person of firm convictions, both endearing and positive, with whom it is easy to share an ethical stance in life. Not to mention her exquisite, enviable aesthetic sensitivity and spectacular passion for editorial detail and rigor, as well as her delightful cultural baggage. Given the ingredients, it comes as no surprise that in every new project with Mónica, trajectory becomes destiny with such ease.

—Josep Palau, Design Entrepreneur