ABOUT
Designer Bookbinders is one of the foremost societies devoted to the craft of Contemporary bookbinding. Founded more than fifty years ago, our Society is a registered charity and has helped to establish the reputation of British bookbinding worldwide by means of events, education, exhibitions and publications.
Our membership includes some of the most highly regarded creators in the fields of fine bookbinding, book arts and artists’ books, each with a passion for presenting the bound text as a unique art object. Inspiration is the book in all its aspects – text, structure, illustration, print and paper – and the completed bindings are as diverse as the individuals who create them.
Become A Member
Designer Bookbinders Associate membership is open to subscribers worldwide. We welcome new members from all backgrounds – binders, conservators, collectors, librarians, teachers, people from other crafts, and book lovers in general. Learn more about becoming a member of Designer Bookbinders.
World Leaders In Our Craft
Designer Bookbinders Fellows are elected on submission of work, and are considered to have achieved the highest standards in both design and technique. Licentiates are elected on submission of work which is deemed to display a potential in design and technique likely to commend them as candidates for election to Fellowship within five years. The society is constantly seeking new talent, and promising bookbinders are encouraged to apply first for Licentiateship and then for Fellowship.
Learn Bookbinding Excellence From Craft Masters
Whether you’re a bookbinding beginner or an advanced artist, our regular masterclasses and workshops can help you to take the next steps in improving your craft. If you are based in the UK, when you are ready you could consider applying for Licentiateship.
* MEET THE NEW LICENTIATES MONDAY! *
Following on from our successful "Fellows Friday Feature" over the course of 2021, Designer Bookbinders are pleased to bring you this new feature. Taking place over the next four weeks we are really pleased to formally announce our new Licentiates to you all.
Licentiates are elected on submission of work which is deemed to display potential in design and technique likely to commend them as candidates for election to Fellowship within five years. During this period, two mentors are assigned, and tutorials and consultations are made available. Their work may also be shown in the society’s exhibitions. The society is constantly seeking new talent, and promising bookbinders are encouraged to apply first for Licentiateship and then for Fellowship.
We are starting the feature with Laura Jamieson (@laura_jamieson_). Laura studied Graphic Design at Chelsea School of Art and worked as a designer in branding and corporate identity in London. Laura was introduced to bookbinding in 2016, attending various courses including those at City Lit with Kathy Abbott and Mark Cockram at Studio 5.
Here we share some of Laura's work:
- "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
Illustrated by James Albon
The Folio Society, London 2018
144mm x 222mm
Bound in 2020
- "Snow Goose" by Paul Gallico
Illustrated by Peter Scott
Michael Joseph, 1947
195mm x 250mm
Bound in 2020
- "Pinewoods of the Black Mount" by Peter Wormell
Illustrated by Christopher Wormell
Dalesman, 2003
180mm x 237mm
Bound in 2021
- "Everything but Thee and Me" by Ogden Nash
Illustrated by John Alcorn
JM Dent & Sons, 1962
187mm x 128mm
Bound in 2019
#bookbinding #designerbookbinders #meetthenewlicentiatesmonday #licentiate #workofabookbinder #designbindings #finebindings #leatherbindings #bookstagram #bookcollector #reliuredart #reliure #craftsperson #bookbinder #books #goldtooling #designerbookbindersuk #onlays #inlays
A nice selection of journals of "The New Bookbinder" have been packaged up today for an online order. The New Bookbinder (TNB) is published annually, this journal is highly regarded worldwide and is issued free to members as part of their annual subscription.
TNB covers all aspects of binding, and includes articles on binding design, methods and techniques, contemporary and historical movements, profiles of prominent binders worldwide, book and small press reviews. We are soon to start a feature looking back on the journals since the first one was published in 1981 and look forward to sharing this with you!
We have a variety of stock available on our online shop (https://designerbookbinders.org.uk/shop/). Some issues are out of print and Designer Bookbinders are looking into ways of perhaps digitising these in the future. Stock levels may change so keep checking back if there are any issues in particular you are missing!
If you want to find out about becoming a member of Designer Bookbinders then either send us a message here or you can find full details about how to sign up on our website (https://designerbookbinders.org.uk/types-of-membership/).
#thenewbookbinder #designerbookbinders #bookbinding #bookbinder #fellowsandlicentiates #journalofbookbinding
* DESIGNER BOOKBINDERS WORKSHOPS AT LONDON CRAFT WEEK 2022! *
Don't forget that this weekend Designer Bookbinders is putting on a series of workshops, led by Fellows of the Society, at the wonderful Cockpit Arts venue in Holborn, central London for London Craft Week.
The four workshops are being taught by Fellows Rachel Ward-Sale, Midori Kunikata-Cockram and Kaori Maki on subjects ranging from soft leather journals, concertina bindings, hard-covered sketchbooks and soft slip-cases.
We encourage you to join us and book a place on one of our bookbinding classes, in order to rediscover the joys of making with your hands and engage with the ultimate portable technology – the book. Learn a new skill during these practical bookbinding workshops suitable for all abilities. Whether you are an artist, a writer, or just a lover of beautiful books, come and learn this exciting and creative craft. These workshops will introduce students to the skills, techniques, and materials used in basic bookbinding. All materials and tools will be provided.
All workshops are taking place on Saturday 14th May and booking details can be found on the London Craft Week website (https://www.londoncraftweek.com/events/explore-bookbinding-with-designer-bookbinders/), classes are between £55 and £68. The event capacity is up to 5/10 students per workshop.
The workshops will be taking place at: Cockpit Arts, Cockpit Yard, Northington Street, London, WC1N 2NP
We really look forward to welcoming you!
#designerbookbinders #learnbookbinding #londoncraftweek #londoncraftweek2022 #bookbinding #lcw2022 #finebindings #designbindings #reliure #reliuredart #bookcollector #bookstagram
@londoncraftweek @cockpitstudios
@rachelward_sale @kaorimakibookbinder
