
They are designed to be laid flat and well protected. Actually, we're not talking about the cover yet, but the binding.įor the sake of protection, books were often closed with metal or leather clasps until the end of the 15th century. A wooden plate is pressed between two pieces of fabric or leather, attached to the codex (the set of sheets folded into sheets), itself bound by hand. If the bindings illustrate the holiness of their contents, they all have the role of protecting the scriptures. To judge a book by its cover Protective binding (until the 16th century) Even if we are still far from the paperback books which will appear 500 years later (sorry for the spoil), it is well the revolution at the time. Thanks to Wikipedia who teaches us a lot about the history of printing.


We pass from 15 000 000 printed books in Europe at the dawn of the invention of Gutenberg to more than 200 000 000 books a century later, and 1 000 000 000 printed books in the 18th century (that makes a lot of zero). With the invention of lead movable type printing by this dear Gutenberg in 1450, we see the appearance of more and more books a little less precious, with embossed leather covers. But it will take time to go from precious stone inlays to polychrome prints! A few centuries and several wars, to be precise. The book is the cover to protect and enhance it. This radical change marks the birth of the book as we know it today, or almost. "French paperback, contemporary graphic design and covers"Īs early as the 3rd century, papyrus rolls (volumen) from antiquity are now folded and assembled in codex.
Project canvas book cover series#
So here is the first article in our series scanning the graphic evolution of book covers to the present day, through its most striking revolutions. However, the history of this modest rectangle of paper is rich in lessons, moving from the conservation function of the first manuscripts to the object of great consumption, it animated generations of graphic designer. Today, the cover is a real marketing object and plays the role of packaging for literature. Yet we all know how important "first impressions" are. Hence the importance of the "cover" in the desire to read this or that book. In Molière's language we like to say that "the habit does not make the monk", but the Shakespearian equivalent will be " don't judge a book by its cover". Here is a new series of articles dedicated to the history of book cover design. Who or what’s on the cover? How will this grab the reader (i.e.Panorama of book covers through the ages! Make your magazine cover story visual as well. What questions will be asked? How will you answer? How will your skeptics show up? What are people saying on social media? What’s the bottom line, the facts and figures that support the headline? Capture those as well.Īs in any magazine article, there’s going to be some kind of interview component. What are the biggest, most inspirational headlines you can think of? How are you changing the world (or at least your organization) with your idea? This article will talk about your major achievement, but will also recount the story of where you started and how you got to your a-ha moment. Once you’ve decided on your magazine, move on to the headline. Whatever you decide on, you’ll find this conversation fun and stimulating. It’s important to have this conversation, as the tone, voice, and readership of the particular magazine make a big difference. To get started, huddle as a team (or, even better, multiple teams) and have a thoughtful discussion about what magazine you’d like to be featured in once you’ve achieved your vision.

Furthermore, because it’s tactile and visual, the vision canvas will elicit tons of feedback. Why else would there be a story about your company in one of the world’s bestselling magazines? This canvas will provide you with plenty of material you can use when formulating your actual vision.

But it will challenge you to think beyond the realm of the known and safe. Mind you, this tool will (probably) not provide you with a turnkey vision. The cover story canvas ® challenges you and your team to project yourselves in the future: how will the world respond to what you have accomplished at that time.
Project canvas book cover how to#
How To Use the Cover Story Vision® Canvas
