Now that more people in the class are doing book designs, I thought that it'd be interesting to look into a company that specializes in the field. I've thought about pursuing a career in book design, so I was happy to see that there are specialized companies that deal mainly with this.
My example comes from Brio Publishing. As the name suggests, the company does more than just designing and printing. Here's a snipet from their website describing their services:
BRIO publishing services are for authors who need more than printing alone. We will consult with you about your book and make recommendations to create a professionally finished product. Suggested services may include editing, cover design, illustrating, interior layout, printing, formulating a promotional plan for yourself and your book, storing your books, and fulfilling orders. We create customized solutions, not packages that include services you don’t need. We will find the answer for you within your budget.
This company jumps into things beyond basic cover design. The focus on the book as a whole, designing page by page, working with the client to ensure a cohesive feel.
This is kind of where I am with my book. I have the cover down, and I think I have the style down on the inside as well, but I still need to focus on the product as a whole to ensure it delivers the message of hand-rendered type and illustration as one entity.
Simply put, I was just happy to find a company that does what I want to do after graduation. :)
Book design is great, but I always seem to get really fed up when constructing a book. The ones I have made are decent, but I wish I could challenge myself a bit more. Brio publishing services sounds like a great place to get help. I would consider them if I ever work on another book.
ReplyDeleteI have respect for people who are book designers, to me it's different than designing for a single piece or even a small series. Every time I make books, I always make the cover last and the inside information first, but I find the cover to be the hardest part to create. I'm glad that you found a company that does what you want, that always keeps me positive when thinking about post-graduation.
ReplyDeleteEven the image that you included in this post seems very user friendly and overall easy to comprehend. I love book design and i feel that personally i am stronger in the design aspect when compared to the craft aspect.
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited to see your book based on what you said about stitching the cover. It's a great look and it will definitely become a family heirloom for you if you keep using as much passion as it seems you have coming up with the concept!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like it is a fun company. Apply if they have something open!
If there was one skill I wish I had more resources to improve upon it would be book making. I love book making but I have little to no skill. I think my books have been decent but most have been made in a rush and it shows. Maybe if I had more time I could pull it off a little better. I love that there are companies that are soley dedicated to book making but its great to say you can make a book and make it well. I am excited to see what you come up with especially since you pull off book making flawlessly. Like that drink book you made. I was jealous of your craft on that book.
ReplyDeleteI love book design, but I'll admit I'm more interested in decorating the covers than physically constructing the block and the other nitty gritty stuff. Cover Designer at http://www.mcsweeneys.net/ is basically my dream job.
ReplyDeleteAs an author who seems to write things that lie askew to mainstream, I'm always on the lookout for book printers with the intention of designing my own book to self-publish and self-promote and so forth. So it's really awesome that you linked a site like this. It's also heartening to see something like this that isn't just, say, PublishAmerica or Lulu or Createspace. (Though Lulu and Createspace I've heard decent things about, at least. PublishAmerica is a big fat no-no though.)
ReplyDeleteBook design is a field that interests me as well. Nice to see a company that understands the need for it.
ReplyDeleteThis is very cool! And definitely something right up your alley! Great find!
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ReplyDeleteI admit,designing a book is alot of work. So I think I'd rather have someone else constuct it with my own design because you have to be so precise with measurments.
ReplyDeleteCool company--thanks for sharing! I love book making and it's one of the avenues I'd like to explore further.
ReplyDeleteBooks are pretty complicated,, Thanks for the great resource!
ReplyDeletei think this is cool because it doesnt require a writer to "score" a book deal or find a publisher willing to publish them. this company is great. plus, love the picture.
ReplyDeleteI love designing what will be inside the book, but the actual book making process is hard for me. I feel that maybe with more practice I could get better at it. And like Julie I have made mine in a rush. You definitely have skill and am glad that you found a place that does what you want!
ReplyDeletethis is clever. have you shown mark smith this?
ReplyDeleteHaha love that the site looks like a blueprint.
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested to see other works done by the company and see the process they go through for choosing their final designs.
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