| The Independently Published Artist Book - Online

NOTE: This class will be held in a live, online format using the Zoom platform. 
Class meets Thursdays 3-5:30pm EDT – October 1st-December 10th, 2020 
(Full Schedule and details below)

This online workshop is designed for visual artists (photographers and non-photographers alike) who have body of work(s) that they wish to translate into book(s) in edition sizes between 10 to 250 copies – a book project that lives between the world of small edition, fully handmade artist books and the often unattainable, pay-to-play world of publishing deals.

The workshop will emphasize material exploration, empowering students with the ability to clearly define how each element of the book structure and design supports the conceptual nature of the work itself. This will be coupled with practical exercises in understanding how material choices and design elements will impact the viewing experience along with the often forgotten financial and logistic feasibility of a project to live in a physical form. Students must bring a body of work to class that they are hoping to publish, either by themselves on their own and/or through a printer & binder.

Throughout the workshop, there will be virtual hands-on lessons in basic bookbinding, design and techniques which introduce students to the pros and cons of the most common trade book structures; specifically, perfect binding, accordion according, (Smyth) sewn binding and well as soft and hard cover treatments. The class will also cover the basics of creating simple mocks on inkjet and laser printers in order to comprehend which print method(s) and paper stock(s) function best with their project prior to the production on an editioned book. Other topics will include the challenges of working with printers & binders along with the industry vocabulary needed to communicate your design ideas to professionals, editioning, material restrictions, cost restrictions, fundraising and how to facilitate production on a limited budget.

Through this combination of personal hands-on exploration, visiting artist lectures and practical lessons, students will leave with a working moquette of their book project and the vocabulary and knowledge needed to produce a professional print project of their own and/or of another artist(s).

Class Schedule

10/1/2020 – 3:00-5:30pm
10/8/2020 – 3:00-5:30pm
10/15/2020 – 3:00-5:30pm
10/22/2020 – 3:00-5:30pm
10/29/2020 – 3:00-5:30pm
11/5/2020 – 3:00-5:30pm 
11/12/2020 –3:00-5:30pm, no meeting if majority of class is MFA
11/19/2020 – 3:00-5:30pm, no meeting if majority of class is MFA
11/26/2020 – Thanksgiving, no meeting
12/3/2020 – 3:00-5:30pm
12/10/2020 – 3:00-5:30pm
12/17/2020 – 3:00-5:30pm – make up class if MFA retreat is hindered

*Meeting(s) may need to move day/time based on exhibition schedule. In the case of such event, students will be notified of the rescheduled date & time.

*Tools Needed (by vendor):

Talas:
Bone folder #1 pointed 5” (1 per student)
Student Awl (1 per student)
French Linen Thread #60 (1 per student)
3M 415 Tape (1 per student)
Davey binders Board .08, 9×11.5 (4 pieces per student)
Arrestox B Cloth or any other cloth/paper covering for hardcover book (1 yard per student)
Colorpan Paper 135gsm or any other paper that can be used as end sheets (2 sheets per student minimum)
1 inch glue brush (1 per student)
Exacto/Olfa knives with replacement blades
*Standard computer paper (1 pack per student)
PVA Glue (1 pint)
Woven Silk Headbands (optional accessory, though recommended – 1 yard needed)
#1 Bookbinder needle (1 per student)

Home Depot/Lowes/Ace Hardware/Hobby Lobby/Dick Blick/Amazon:
5/16” Dowell Rod (2 – 14” sections needed)
Elmers Glue Stick (1 per student)

What Students Have at Home:
Library of books and/or book press

Red River Paper:
**Red River 50lb Premium Matte Double Sided 13×19 GRAIN SHORT (25 sheets per student)

Amazon:

***HFS 17″ Blade A3 Heavy Duty Guillotine Paper Cutter (A3-17” Paper Cutter)

*Standard computer paper is only for students who own or have access to a LaserJet printer.  LaserJet prints can also be produced by a local printer such as Kinkos or Staples.
**Inkjet paper is only for students who own or have access to an Inkjet printer.
***The stack cutter is an optional tool, though highly recommended for any artist interesting in perusing the book form beyond the class. Cutting of text blocks can be done at local retailers such as Kinkos or Staples.  If student does not have access to these stores because of location, purchase the stack cutter for $169.99.

Prerequisites:

Students should come to the class with a prepared PDF document that is thought to be ready for print, meaning a well-established body of work and design that has gone through several iterations prior to this workshop.  All students should be proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign and with basic binding processes (drum leaf, Smyth, perfect, accordion, Japanese stab, etc.).

https://vimeo.com/150456371

 

All Image Credit © Shawn Bush