BookDesign

The Basic Principles for Book Design  Source: http://www.members.shaw.ca/nathanieldesign/book_layout.htm Once the task of writing and proofreading your manuscript is complete, the next step is to create a proper page layout for your book. The term “page layout” is used simply to describe the way text and images are situated on a page. In order for your book to have a professional look and feel, there are four basic principles to follow when doing the layout.

Contrast In order for your page layout to be visually appealing and to keep the readers interest,  you should have contrast on your pages.  Notice the use of contrast on this page: color, font size,  font style, and bold headings.  Use a contrasting type for headings and keep them very different from the body type.  Don't go overboard, use one type for the body copy and a different one for the headings.  Consider a newspaper and how the headings are larger and bolder. Alignment  Choose one justification and stick to it.  As a rule, center justification will give the book layout a  formal look.  It is commonly used for wedding invitations, formal announcements, etc.  Left justification will give a more conservative professional look.  Full justification will give your book layout a clean orderly look.  With full justification, your headings could be either left, right, or centered.   Repetition Create a sense of unity to your book layout adding a few visual elements that you like, and then repeating them throughout. Look through some of your favorite books to see what they have used, you may get some inspiration for your book layout. Perhaps a decorative ornament under the heading of each chapter, or a fancy drop cap to start each chapter might give your book a special look. Proximity Organize your type properly by grouping things together that relate to each other