Glyndwr Wrexham University School of Creative Arts partnership with Tonghua Normal University, China .

TONGHUA NORMAL UNIVERSITY, CHINA.

October 2019

# Book Binding Design Module

‘A book stores the world’s knowledge, ideas and beliefs. It is the oldest form of documentation’.

Amaranth Borsuk (2018)

This module was implemented through a methodology of research, theory, practice and reflection. The purpose was to develop book design skills and gain knowledge on its fundamental elements: cover, page, text, imagery, content, and form. Scholars studied the historical development of the book as object, and its current theoretical debates with regards to the value and significance of the book as object. They mastered design language and design thinking concepts through design and layout. Analysed and evaluated the practical problems in book design, allowing students to master the various aspects of the design of the book form, its construction processes and materials.

# Historical Book Research

Students developed research processes and methodologies through an investigation into the history of the book. They presented their findings through group presentations.

Copy of 140 BC – Turkey | The Wax Tablet

Copy of 1100 to 1532 AD - Quipu

1100 to 1532 AD - A Quipu , or knot-record, was a method used by the Incas (Peru) to keep records and communicate information.

Copy of Palm leaf manuscript

Palm leaves were used as writing materials in the Indian subcontinent and in Southeast Asia dating back to the 5th century BCE. Palm-leaf manuscripts are made out of dried palm leaves.

Copy of 3500-4000 BCE - Clay Bulla

3500-4000 BCE Sumerians, Mesopotamia. Clay bullae Tokens were inside and were used for accounting purposes.

Copy of Concertina Binding Book

Accordion book comes from Asia. It was invented to accommodate scrolls that had become unmanageable because of their size and length

# Book Concept Design

Students chose a book to design. They were marked on creative process, final artwork, presentation, and originality. The aim was to produce work that could be presented to a Design Committee. Students demonstrated a clear understanding whilst creating the artwork of each of the book elements: cover, page, text, and format, and understood the historical and theoretical fundamental concepts of the codex book.

Book Binding | Tonghua, China | October 2019

TONGHUA NORMAL UNIVERSITY, CHINA.

October 2019

# Book Binding Design Module