Books are more than just blocks of paper and text. Regardless of their purpose or content, books are meant to be enjoyed. Often, that comes down to something that goes beyond what is on the page. It also depends on how the page looks and feels. Book design is extremely important, especially in some genres. Whether you are enormous blocks of text a graphic designer, editor, or author, understanding how to make a better book design is crucial to the work’s success.
Here are 5 tips for better book design to get you started:
1. Running Headers
This is the practice you see often, where the title is on the left page, and the chapter number or title is on the right. You might think this is just aesthetic, but it serves a purpose. For example, if someone is looking through an anthology, they are going to use the running heads to assist with finding the correct page and chapter. Also, if the text is photocopied or scanned, those running heads make it easier to cite.
2. Appropriate Gutter Sizing
Most people have experienced the frustration of their fingers blocking words on the page because the gutters are appropriately spaced. With textbooks, gutters should be at least 25mm on the left and right sides of the page.
3. Word and Character Spacing
No one enjoys reading enormous blocks of text with terrible spacing. The words blend together and all meaning is lost. Therefore, you have to consider how words are spaced very carefully. Since most fonts have their own spacing, you need to choose one that looks good on the page size you chose. If you want tighter, more legible lines, reduce the word spacing to around 90%.
Similarly, characters have spacing that could mess up the flow of the page. You don’t want to squish letters too closely together, nor do you want to spread them too far apart.
4. Contrast
Do you know what makes a printed book difficult to read? Too much contrast between the font color and the paper. It sounds crazy, but when the text is too dark and the page too bright, eyes start straining. Select off-white paper, since it’s easier for people to focus.
5. Communication is Key
As mentioned earlier, these tips are for anyone working on a book design. That means that authors can use these tips to engage with graphic designers and vice versa. Ideally, you want to be open to suggestions. Discuss your thoughts and feelings behind a design, why you think it works, and if it captures the story. Consider the demographics who are going to read the book, too. Does the design appeal to them? Would they read the book if it was published with its current design, or is the design far too cookie-cutter?
If you want an incredible book design, you need to communicate with the people who matter most!
Conclusion
Publishing a book is a time consuming process. Even after writing it and getting the publisher interested, you have to consider what the book looks like. Readability is key in the success of a book, because it makes the experience much more enjoyable to the reader. Therefore, pay close attention to the format of the page and letter spacing, and you’ll construct a better book.