Explore the book as a collection of sequential visual experiences, examining and printing patterns in this hands-on workshop instructed by Ken Botnick.

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Open book with colorful pattern on the right page.

This hands-on workshop will explore the book as a collection of sequential visual experiences. Beginning with the design of the two-page spread we will examine the patterns that emerge by linking sets of pages into the sequence known as the codex form of the book.

The emphasis will be on working simply and quickly with images primarily printed from a vinyl sheet material commonly used for sandblasting masking. Shapes designed for this material can be hand-cut or designed in Adobe Illustrator and cut using the Cricut knife plotter. The vinyl will be printed using the letterpress and etching press, as simple shapes or in the style of reduction woodcut tradition, and can be printed in combination with some of the typographic material in the Workshop’s collection.

We will explore color printing in simple application and overlay, introduced by a discussion of a few of instructor Ken Botnick’s book projects. Participants will also have time for one-on-one consultation with Ken to discuss strategies for completing other projects they would intend to pursue. 

Thinking of Books as Patterns - Double page spread by Ken Botnick

Thinking of Books as Patterns - Examining book patterns by Ken Botnick

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Instructor: Ken Botnick

Ken Botnick has been printing and publishing works in limited edition for over 40 years. first as co-proprietor of Red Ozier Press in New York, and today in Haydenville, Massachusetts under his emdash imprint. His work is found in collections around the world, including the Library of Congress, the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, The Getty Center for Humanities, the Boston Athenaeum, The Newberry Library, The National Library of the Netherlands in the Hague, and libraries at Yale, Smith, Harvard, Wellesley and notable private collections. His work has been selected by the American Institute of Graphic Arts for its “50 Books/50 Covers,” annual juried show, and his 2015 publication, Diderot Project, was selected as the winner of the Minnesota Center for the Book Arts Biennial Prize.

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