Written as an “accessible introduction to book design,” The Design of Books by Debbie Berne is an enjoyable and accessible explanation of how books are brought to life. It walks the reader through the design process, beginning with what happens after a manuscript is finished. Authors, and aspiring writers, will find this enlightening, and editors will appreciate a look into an equally precise but entirely different facet of writing. Berne begins the anatomy of a physical book and how books are designed with their specific purpose in mind, whether that be a cookbook, picture book, or novel. She shows the reader all of the details taken into consideration before production even begins: the text, the type of book, sales expectations, page count, and even the type of paper. We learn about typefaces and their evolution, the specifications of letter shapes and font families, and how they can affect the feel and reception of the final product. Berne guides us through cover design, then shows us how the images, heading hierarchy, lists, margins, and line length of the text can affect the reader’s experience of the book. She also dedicates a chapter to the development of the e-book and how designing for electronic format differs from that for physical books.
Our journey ends with a look at both traditional and indie publishing, showing who decides what and how much say an author has. Berne’s years of experience have allowed her to break down the process and make it not only understandable but enjoyable for readers. The striking red-orange and black design of her book showcases her expertise: the design of this book is appealing, both outside and inside, and will keep readers’ interest throughout. Her conversational style and relaxed approach broaden the appeal of her work from the authors, editors, and agents of the subtitle to casual readers and bibliophiles of any profession.
If you love books, you will enjoy this beautifully designed description of how they come to be.
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