What is a book? - Sizes & Folds

Lecture notes:

International book sizes

B format - medium sized book

198mm x 130mm 

Trade paperbacks 

216mm x 135mm

Generally, these sizes are a format for literary novels with ‘genre fiction’ books tending to be 

smaller in size.

Novel/Memoirs

A5 Portrait 210mm x 148mm 

Royal 234mm x 156mm

Manuals/Workbooks

A4 Portrait (297mm x 210mm)

Children’s book sizes

- 178mm x 124mm 

- 200mm x 200mm 

- 250mm x 200mm 

- 200mm x 250mm

Folds

These two examples are of how folds can be used to completely change the shape and form of a book. The pages of the book have each ben folded in such a way that a shape is created. This however means that the book itself is now useless but it makes for a clever and quirky design.

This publication is very cleverly put together so that there are two opposing sections to the book that come together to create a 'collaboration'. As well as the clever folds, I also admire the use of colour and imagery as it looks clean and easy to read as well as being noticeable.

This fashion catalogue has been designed as a fold out book. It starts as a conventional shaped publication but once opened up, each fold reveals a new, different item of clothing within the range advertised. This adds an element of interaction for the reader and thus engaging them more in the content.

I will take inspiration from a number of these examples. I aim to try and make my publication very simple and elegant yet still stand out amongst the rest. I may also try and add an element of interaction for the reader.