Village Bookstore Visit - Ben Holmes

Village was made so that self-published books and interesting print publications could be engaged with by Leeds residents. People can exchange knowledge of print and view inspirational books that otherwise wouldn't have had such a good platform. The place contains professional publications from places like New York and Tokyo, but also works from the local people of Leeds.

In the age of the internet thousands of designs are being viewed all the time, simultaneously and quickly without physical consideration. This is fantastic in some ways as it means we are seeing far more than was ever possible, but with things like zines it slows people down. You're not just seeing it, you're smelling it and feeling it- there is complete engagement with the designer's creative output.

Design Studios can often communicate their ethos/aesthetic through a publication or set of publications. Its an ideal way to showcase work but also display skills in layout, texture, production.. etc. For example Library Paper is a collection made by Leeds a collective of Leeds Art Uni alumni. It's Nice That also have their own publication called Printed Pages, show casing all the best articles on their website every 6 months.

What Village Looks For:

• Particular interest in photography books.
• Every aspect of the book is cohesive and well considered.
• The book should serve a purpose.
• The format of the book could communicate the books content. For example 'Funny Money' or 'Till Death Do Us Part'

Age old question is posed: Should you be able to see the hand of the designer or should it be seamless?

Production Variations:

• Risograph printing can create quite a vintage, screen-print -style outcome. E.g. 'This is the Same Ocean'.
• Different paper stocks can be used in juxtaposition with each other. For example in 'Surfers phenomena' there is an occasional gloss page, in order for the pictures of the ocean to occasional pop out of the page.
• Touches like spot varnishing, foiling can have a big impact. It has to suite what you're going to say without being too gimmicky.
• No book has to be expensive to be interesting. 
• Inserting external items into the book or varying the page sizes.
• French folds, so you have to cut in the pages to see whats inside- the book is an experience.

Advice for good publication making:

• Consider how it will look on the shelf, against all the other publications and if will still catch attention.
• Publishing isn't necessarily about the money, its about the exposure and the people that will have viewed/connected with your book whilst moving through the shop.
• The best way to make good books is to read other people's books- a good event for this is Offprint.

This was one of the most inspirational lectures I've seen on this course, the discussion was clear and useful. It definitely made me want to consider a future in books and fueled me to begin talking to professionals within the publishing industry.