13 Books: (notes on the design, construction & marketing of my last . . .) [Paperback]

Leonard Koren (Author), Gary Panter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2001

Author/designer Leonard Koren looks at the bookmaking process behind each of his creations, from inspiration and organizing page principle to greatest difficulty and enduring lesson. Self-reflective and demythologizing, 13 Books is an observant guide to the creative process and to the essential link between information, commerce, and visual form in our culture today. It will be of special interest to graphic/web designers and art directors.

Leonard Koren lives in San Francisco and Tokyo and trained as an artist and architect. His "13 books" include WET Magazine, Wabi-Sabi, and How to Take a Japanese Bath.

"From initial inception to individual page layout, this book serves as an illuminating and personal look at the necessary steps of book production." -- Design Issues

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Leonard Koren, who was trained as an artist and architect, writes books about design and aesthetics. Among his most popular books are WABI SABI: For Artists, Design, Poets & Philosophers and Arranging Things: A Rhetoric of Object Placement.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Stone Bridge Press (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880656590
• ISBN-13: 978-1880656594
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #842,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clever book about making books, October 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: 13 Books: (notes on the design, construction & marketing of my last . . .) (Paperback)

An unusual look into the mind of a unique creator. Understated, humorous, and acutely observant advice for anyone making creative product. I will recommend it to all my graphic and industrial design students.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eclectic and Informative, August 10, 2006

By 

Reader Views "Reviews, by readers, for readers" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 13 Books: (notes on the design, construction & marketing of my last . . .) (Paperback)

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (7/06)

"13 Books" is not a book to be read lightly, it is a book where Leonard Koren explains the process that took place when he created his 12 books and a magazine. Koren is not only an author but an architect and artist. Several of his creations are: WET: The magazine of Gourmet Bathing; Wabi-Sabi; New Fashion Japan; The Graphic Design Cookbook; and, How to Take a Japanese Bath. Anyone familiar with Koren's work would find this book very enlightening.

Koren's format of writing this book is very different from anything I've seen before. He splits his page horizontally. For example, when explaining the inspiration for "17 Beautiful Men Taking a Shower" Koren , on the top portion of the pages, explains the subject matter, his inspiration, organizing principle and greatest difficulty. On the bottom portion of the pages he explains terminology such as: seventeen, art galleries, bathing.
I must say, this is a very creative way of writing, however, why would anyone be surprised coming from an eclectic artist as Koren.

Looking for an eclectic, yet very informative, read? This is it. You will come out by the end of the book much wiser, as well as have many thoughts evoked of your own personal experiences.

Book received free of charge.