RULE #1
Never forget the basics: a photo book has two defining qualities:
A: it is a book
B: it is full of photographs
RULE #2
When you start designing, don’t listen to the photographer.
Listen to the photo’s.
Then to the photographer.
RULE #3
Design with your heart. Check with your head.
Or the other way around.
RULE #4
A book is not an exhibition. A page is not a wall.
A book has specific physical qualities you have to use.
RULE #5
Time’ and therefore ‘timing’ are defining factors of a book.
Because of the turning of the pages, books become almost inevitably narratives. Stories.
RULE #6
A good edit is key. A good edit is essential. A good edit is crucial. A good edit is vital.
A good edit is fundamental. A good edit is critical. Etc.
RULE #7
Designing a photo book is often a matter of problem solving.
Don’t just solve the problems. Try to make your solutions the backbone of your “narrative”.
RULE #8
A good book is build on just a few design ideas. Stick to them relentlessly,
despite the darlings you may have to kill along the way.
RULE #9
Designing a photo book is not about showing off your graphic design skills.
RULE #10
When your client is not really really really really really really really really really really happy....
start over