Working with artist Susan Zimmerman was a designer’s dream project. I was referred to Susan by printer Tim Malott of HF Group. Susan is a ceramicist and photographer. I met with her to discuss her book, The Light in the Kiva and wrote an estimate for book design. I have always wanted to design an art book! “The Light in…
Many first-time authors have never published a book before, and they are unaware of the extra steps involved in the process. My primary focus is book design, but taking extra steps such as guidance and suggestions, will help authors reach their goal. Extra steps for “Anne,” a first-time author • Was Anne going to do an ebook or print book? She intended to…
Do your homework before you meet with a book designer!Recently, I met with an author at a local coffee shop. Dave started the conversation by giving me a detailed description of his book—very detailed. I interrupted him by asking my standard first question: Can you tell me what your book is about in two or…
The email message said, “A voice from the past.” My former corporate client, Annie, had switched departments in her company, and it had been more than a year since I heard from her. She now needed help with an unfinished design assignment. Annie said the project was a community-involvement book for investors. “Did anyone from…
The St. Louis Cardinals have been a colorful franchise for generations. The name, “Cardinals,” combined graphically with two birds perched on a baseball bat, have adorned the baseball club’s uniforms with great pride and distinction since 1922. The Cardinals logos and uniforms are among the most recognized and admired brands in all of sports, and…
What do authors want to know? At the 2015 St. Louis Publishers Association (SLPA) Vendor’s Showcase, I found out. The room was packed, and authors had many questions. Those who stopped by my table asked … Q: What do you do? (Authors often ask me this question. I guess it’s an icebreaker.)A: I design books.…
I met Corinne Richardson at a St. Louis Publishers Association (SLPA) “networking-blitz” meeting in December 2005. When she looked at my business card, she recognized the name, “Kodner,” and then we discovered we also had a mutual friend. She said, “I’m writing a book, and I’d like you to design it when it’s ready.” Several…