Module: PUB5001-20 Experiments in Book-Making

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Laura Little

Module Tutor Contact Details: l.little@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

Print has a long history and remains a significant part of the book publishing industry. This module will focus on innovation in design and print, high-end beautifully produced books, gift books, and novelty books e.g. pop-ups, and reimagined backlist titles and series. Much of this innovation has been facilitated and made more accessible and affordable by digital technology. You will look at special editions (e.g. Folio Society, collectors’ editions, artist monographs) and illustrated books in the context of 20th-century international book design history such as Avant-Garde publications and manifestos, and artists’ books.

You will learn about working with printers (UK and international) and the possibilities of commercial printing e.g. paper engineering, paper stock, fabrics, covers, endpapers, die cutting, varnishes, embossing and debossing. You will also learn handmade bookmaking skills to produce blads, samples and mock-ups using staples and stitching. The use of images and picture research will be covered in this module.

You will work on an independent project to research, experiment with a variety of creative approaches, design and prepare samples of a new edition of an international or UK backlist title e.g. a Japanese or Russian fairytale. You have complete freedom to interpret the original text in whatever way you wish.

2. Outline syllabus:

• Book design history

• Novelty books, pop-ups and paper engineering

• Printing and production, digital and litho

• Book binding

• Paper stock, covers, endpapers, fabric

• Special finishes: Die cutting, embossing and debossing, laminate finishes and spot varnishes

• Picture research

3. Teaching and learning activities:

Workshops: Hand-making skills: e.g. introductory bookbinding.

Taught time will be divided between lectures, guided independent and groupwork, and lab-based workshops with Publishing Technical Demonstrators.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Presentation (equivalent of 1,000 words)

• % Weighting: 20%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Personal project (equivalent of 4,000 words)

• % Weighting: 80%