This publication was designed with the goal of visually telling the story of “The Shape of the Book”. To begin the process, I thoroughly read through the text, ensuring a deep understanding of the content so that the visual elements would both reflect and enhance the narrative. I took photographs of various books and examples of printing methods from different time periods to showcase the vast history of book production. Throughout this project, I aimed to highlight the unique details and styles that make books distinct from one another, from binding and size to hand-painted illustrations. The text and images were carefully arranged to maintain a smooth, engaging pacing throughout, avoiding repetitiveness while ensuring a cohesive and dynamic reading experience.
This book is an edited version of a chapter titled “The Shape of the Book” from Alberto Manguel’s A History of Reading, published in 1996.