The Design of Books - Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing by Debbie Berne Paperback

About the Book

"Of all the aspects of making a book, design is perhaps the most mysterious. Authors and readers surely realize that covers are designed objects that, like it or not, books are commonly judged by. But a book's interior is also the product of a designer's careful attention to such matters as where the page numbers go or how wide the margins are. Even publishing professionals-editors, agents, marketing staff-often have only the vaguest idea of how designers use type, color, space, and other elements to turn manuscripts into visually distinctive and compelling books. This is the first book that explains what designers do for the benefit of all the 'word people' involved in making (and enjoying) books. By demystifying how she and her fellow design professionals approach their tasks, Debbie Berne seeks to make authors and publishing colleagues informed partners in design decisions and to ensure the process is collaborative from start to finish. She considers self-published as well as traditionally published authors in her advice. And along the way, she offers delightful reflections on how each part of a book functions and how they ideally come together as a package for the ultimate benefit of the reader"--

Book Synopsis

Seasoned designer Debbie Berne presents an accessible introduction to book design for authors, editors, and other book people.

Design is central to the appeal, messaging, and usefulness of books, but to most readers, it's mysterious or even invisible. Through interiors as well as covers, designers provide structure and information that shape the meaning and experience of books. In The Design of Books, Debbie Berne shines a light on the conventions and processes of her profession, revealing both the aesthetic and market-driven decisions designers consider to make books readable and beautiful. In clear, unstuffy language, Berne reveals how books are put together, with discussions of production considerations, typography and fonts, page layouts, use of images and color, special issues for ebooks, and the very face of each book: the cover.

The Design of Books speaks to readers and directly to books' creators--authors, editors, and other publishing professionals--helping them to become more informed partners in the design of their projects. Berne lays out the practical steps at each stage of the design process, providing insight into who does what when and offering advice for authors on how to be effective advocates for their ideas while also letting go and trusting their manuscripts with teams of professionals. She includes guidance as well for self-publishing authors, including where to find a designer, what to expect from that relationship, and how to art direct your own book.

Throughout, Berne teaches how understanding the whats, hows, and whys of book design heightens our appreciation of these cherished objects and helps everyone involved in the process to create more functional, desirable, and wonderful books.

Review Quotes

"This book is an insightful addition to the bibliography on book design. Rather than presenting an overview of a designer's work to her peers, it acts as an explainer of the critical role design plays in book publishing. . . . Berne's work will be a valuable reference for authors who want to better understand the design of their books and an excellent resource for graduate students and junior designers entering the publishing industry. Published at a time when Generative AI tools are automating various design tasks, the book underscores the enduring role of expert designers, asserting that their unique creative mindset will be difficult to replace."-- "SHARP News (Society for the History of Authorship, Reading, and Publishing)"

"This book will truly be a helpful guide to all curious readers, but especially to those who are new to publishing and want an all-inclusive resource that describes the design process from beginning to end"--Catherine Cooks "The H-Net Book Channel"

"This small-but-mighty volume beautifully illustrates author Berne's two decades of experience designing books. This guide is essential to anyone with a stake in the publishing world, but any bibliophile will be captivated by this work."--Judges' Citation "American Library Association's 2025 Dartmouth Prize (Honorable Mention)"

"With the clarity of someone who has spent countless hours explaining her decisions to those unversed in typographic jargon, Berne gives the meaning of every specialist term she uses as she elucidates each aspect of the process by which a manuscript becomes the bound object you take down from a shelf. . . Berne has produced a sorely needed guidebook that may particularly benefit authors and editors, who are rarely equipped to think about how design can--and should--work in concert with writing."-- "Times Literary Supplement"

"The Design of Books delves into the art and craft of book design. [Berne] sheds light on how book design plays a crucial role in achieving publishing success and elevating a reader's overall experience. Whether you're a self-publishing author with questions or a book editor looking to bond with your art director, [Berne's] accessible and insightful guide unveils the secrets behind creating visually stunning and functionally effective book designs."-- "I Need A Book Cover"

"Professional book designer Berne debuts with her first self-authored (and designed) title that seemingly anticipates every question people curious about book production might ask, as well as many they probably hadn't thought about. . . . This title illuminates all that goes into producing and designing a book. A must for authors, editors, designers, and curious readers."-- "Library Journal"

"A fascinating insight into the hidden world of book design. Invaluable for those who want to create beautiful books."--Joanna Penn, author, podcaster, and blogger at The Creative Penn

"Berne has an impressive ability to write for nondesigners, to explain and demonstrate concepts that might, in other hands, seem technical and boring. I love how this guide is both approachable and authoritative."--Jane Friedman, author of "The Business of Being a Writer"

"Catnip to booksellers, this is an introduction to how books are designed, both from aesthetic and commercial considerations. The author is a book designer herself and this is a practical guide for all involved in the production process, exploring how design can enhance the appeal and usefulness of books."-- "The Bookseller (UK)"

"Berne is an extremely engaging and approachable writer, and her book is valuable for the inviting, excellent, and unpretentious introduction it offers to the craft of book design. I learned a lot from The Design of Books, including some things I should have known but did not."--Gita Manaktala, executive editor at large, MIT Press

"From the printer's specifications--choices about size, binding, and other physical characteristics that dictate the look and feel of the finished product--through typography, layout, and cover design, Berne gives the reader an insider's look at how a manuscript becomes a book. . . . A must for aspiring authors, this accessible, even entertaining guide will also appeal to book nerds who read the 'About the Type' page when it appears at the end of a book."-- "Booklist starred review"

"Finally, a book that illuminates the most mysterious warren of publishing--design. For all those seeking to understand the visual language of books, here's your soup-to-nuts translator."
--Danielle Svetcov, agent, Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary

About the Author

Debbie Berne was a professional book designer for over two decades and designed hundreds of books and book covers. This is the first book she both wrote and designed.