Lately, I’ve been buying books on a particular topic in pairs in order to get a broader perspective. Here are two books on book design.
“Book Design” by Andrew Haslam
A veritable encyclopædia on book design and manufacture. It serves well as a reference and has excellent supporting diagrams. Light on philosophy and prescription, but lots of practical information for the beginner. In addition to the diagrams he has created to illustrate concepts, Haslam has curated a choice selection of other book designer’s work.
Laurence King Publishing Ltd. London, 2006
“On Book Design” by Richard Hendel
What an excellent concept – get a bunch of designers to write a chapter each on their personal approach to book design. Unfortunately, a poor result. Although it steadfastly refuses to be a historical review or instruction manual, 30 pages are spent on book design fundamentals. Hendel provides an account of his own experience in designing On Book Design. The meta nature of this is initially interesting, but ultimately as satisfying as the situation of author-designer is common. The remaining essays by other designers lack insight, reflection and philosophy and end up reading as rather mundane accounts of how a particular book was put together (and not particularly inspiring books at that). Hendel’s smarmy tone is also rather off-putting.
Yale University Press, 1998
To summarise, I would recommend Andrew Haslam’s Book Design for the beginner or someone who wants a handy reference on book design and manufacture. Those hoping for a higher-level reflective discourse about the art and meaning of book design should skip On Book Design. I’ll continue to look for such a book.
