New England Book Show

The six major annual book design shows listed above continue to anchor our industry in its traditions of craft, even though painfully unadorned ebooks and cluttered multimedia platforms proceed apace, charting their own course. Whatever the wide range of book show presenting criteria, as shown in the survey that follows, ultimately the purpose of book design is to enhance the readability and message of the book itself. 

Print will survive and thrive in those areas where it continues to fulfill that purpose. Where digital media prevail, irrepressible design aspirations will soon follow.

While some shows are beginning to provide digital edition categories (mostly fixed format and multi-media), print editions continue to be foundational platforms for book design and organization — at least for the time being. Leading edge designers are exploring ways to bring design criteria into the reflowable formats.

As the founders of Bookbuilders of Boston decreed in their 1937 mission statement, the organization affords “an excellent opportunity to become informed about new materials and processes ... to become better acquainted with fellow associates in the trade of bookcraft, and finally, to aim toward an improvement in the making and appearance of books.” This quote was featured in the Letter from the President that was included in the award catalog for this year’s New England Book Show, highlighting the show’s purpose in fulfilling the Bookbuilders’ mission. Celebrating its 49th year, The New England Book Show was held on March 15 at the Fairmont