Binding Techniques Explored

An important aspect of the design for Amateur Analog will be the bind used to hold the book together. The bind can indicate much about the book before its even been read so its important to get this right. I have already decided that the pages will be the size of photographs at 6"x4" in a landscape format, so it was mainly a matter of how best to showcase this.

I have experimented with several different types of bind before choosing to actually have the pages 'loose leaf.' This is in order to have the pages resemble a collection of photos held in a pouch. This would technically involve breaking the brief, which suggests it must use a bind, however this seems necessary to create the most authentic style for my book.


Bind Experiments:

Hardback:

 

The hardback trial worked in some respects as it gives the book a 'professional' aesthetic, making it feel clean and protected - almost like a camera case. However in other ways it seems to make the content too mature. In actuality the guide is fairly simple and informal, its targeted at amateurs and the information inside is far from definitive - making the hardback approach less appropriate. 

Pamphlet Stitch:

If I was to use pamphlet stitch it would be used landscape, in order for the pages to feel more like photographs. Although this would go better with the informal approach, it might appear too 'easy.' It would not be reflective of the technical designs that would lie on the inside pages. Pamphlet stitch is traditionally used for zines and I wanted this guide to have a more unique approach.

Coptic Stitch:

Coptic stitch was also trialed, which did capture the technicality of analog use. However it felt too exposed and didn't link to the Analog process particularly. I also was debating using glossy paper which would be particularly difficult with coptic stitch.

Loose Leaf Envelopes:

 

 
I wanted to create an envelope similar to the one you get given by Boots when you print images. So I made several nets testing different shapes that could be used to hold loose leaf pages. The first design was a fair replica of the one you'd usually be given by Boots, which has an authenticity to it (1). But after a few more trials I created a square, angular design (2) which can be opened to see images inside, involving a spine too which could then be easily place on a book shelf. This would eventually be made with card to maintain a box aesthetic.
This was the most successful as it took a more unique approach and applied the brief from an unexpected angle, that will hopefully suite the content most effectively too.

(1)

(2)