When I design a book, I want help the author to speak directly to their readers. Whether they aim to be clear, compelling, persuasive, or whatever.
Reading or using a book is something that occurs in time and space. It is an embodied act. A book is a three-dimensional object and turning the pages takes time. It also engages more than just the eyes: books have weight, temperature, smell, tactile values. And there is the content: does it make you laugh, or cry, or does it just make you bored, does it even make you wish to conquer nations?
When I design a book, in order to help the author communicate with the reader, I think about the physical dimensions of the book, and the sort of paper and binding to be used. I think about selecting and editing the pictures. I think about how the text and the images fit together. I might typeset the book, and turn the typesetting and illustrations into made up pages. And I might prepare the files for print.
I’ve designed more books than you can shake a stick at, that has given me a lot of time to think about the subject. But I still find new and different challenges in every book I design.
