Some Interiors
For a site that's called the Book Design Review (and *not* The Book Design Cover Review), we sure don't talk about book interiors that much. And by "not that much" I really mean "never." But I've recently acquired two books that are worth looking at.
Design Matters: Logos 01 isn't unique in its approach (there are sections on typography, color, etc., case studies, and a gallery of great examples), but this is one sweet looking book. Check out the "Colors and Clients" page below (my apologies for the less-than-great photography) for how working with a grid should look. 
Hand Job is a wonderful collection of work by designers who have stepped away from their computers and taken their pens and scissors out. Designer Michael Perry's drawings of all 26 letters are wonderful, and it's going to take no small amount of effort not to disassemble this book and hang all of the letters in the nursery.
And since there's a different color used for each letter of the alphabet (contributions to the book are arranged by the artist's last name), there's a rainbow of tasty design deliciousness.
Buy Design Matters: Logos 01: An Essential Primer for Today's Competitive Market (Design Matters)
Buy Hand Job: A Catalog of Type
3 comments:
It's nice to see some interiors for a change!
What is even more interesting to me is how often the interiors of novels (ones that are posted here even, with great covers) are just distractingly awful.
Yeah, please show more interiors. This is a great piece. This type of design style is very popular these days—sort od a slap together of fun visuals and engaging but simple reads...
Covers and jackets are more exciting and colorful but book design (interiors) is a rich field of study.
Whereas a book's cover should command attention, the "book design" should almost be transparent. Giovanni Marderdteig said it best: "First, service to the author, choosing the form most suitable to his theme. Second, service to the reader, making the task of reading as pleasant and light as possible. Third, giving to the whole some sense of beauty, without imposing too much self-will."
Great blog.
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