Objects of Desire: Future of Print Books in the Kindle Age?
High quality materials. Unique touches. Attention to design and detail. Is this the future of the print book? From the We Made This blog:
On a side note, it feels like there’s the beginnings of a trend starting for higher-end editions of popular fiction. We reckon it might be something to do with the growth of e-readers and online books. Perhaps people are beginning to look at books with new eyes, and realising that their tactile qualities are there to be celebrated and valued. After all, if you can just download a book, then when you buy one it’s as something to love, cherish and keep. And heck, that’s just great news for designers.
The book on the right is a hardback edition of Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories, published by Penguin, and designed by Pentagram.
I think this trend could apply to plenty of non-fiction books, too.
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Bryan Alexander says:
Dec 23rd, 2008
I think you’re right. e-reading competition could well drive print publishers to make extra-attractive editions, like the 2666 edition.
I’m reminded of nice movie theaters, driven to compete with home DVD watching.
Stewart Mader says:
Dec 23rd, 2008
@Bryan – Agreed. I think we’ll see an increasing trend where people buy more “commodity” items in digital, and more “collectors” items in physical formats.
If you need to have it with you every day, a digital copy makes sense, but if you want to display it on your desk or bookshelf at home, a high-quality physical edition fits the bill.
Bryan Alexander says:
Dec 24th, 2008
True.
The digital device can be a collector’s item, even a fetish, from design and cost points.