BOOKMAKING / LAYOUT DESIGN / BOOK PRODUCTION
FALL 2025
PROJECT OVERVIEW
“Amphibeing!” is a middle school grade textbook written and illustrated by Suze Wehr. As her thesis project, she asked Composit Press to design and produce the book over the course of 10 weeks. With just the text and images given, I had to decide on the typography, colors, and layouts of each page, as well as the physical components, like the cover and materials.
IDEATION
I started with speaking with the author so I could get a deeper understanding of the book's intention. I wanted to combine the feel of young adult novels with the informative layout of a textbook or encyclopedia. I tried keep the book dynamic by having the illustrations break up the text, changing the way they interacted with the text throughout the book. Overall, my main goal was to make this an educational tool while keeping it engaging enough for the reader to go back to.
Chapter One Layout
Reflection Questions Layout
Amphibifact Layout
End-Of-Chapter Notes Layout
Chapter Seven Layout
PROCESS
After I spoke with the author, I had to find the balance between what they wanted and what I thought was best. I went to my local library and looked through different science encyclopedias to get a sense of the layout I wanted to go with.
Diagram Layout Inspiration
Full-Photo Layout Inspiration
Layout Inspiration
I then began experimenting with font pairings and how the illustrations worked within the text. Some were drawn to break up sections of text while others were meant to have the text curve around them so it was a challenge to get used to at first. During this time, I was also looking at the materials I could work with, such as paper type and bookcloth. I ended up going with a warm yellow for the cover and a warm white for the paper.
Paper Samples
Bookcloth Option
Book Cover File
Once I received all the revisions and I got the green light. I began on production. One at a time, I printed out each signature, then folded and collalated them. Once I had every signature made, I put all of the signatures in order and attached the endsheets to the beginning and end signature. I then sewed each book together, making sure they all aligned before I bound them and trimmed them down.
Mid-Production Video
The final steps were assembling the cases and putting everything together, which came fairly easily as I have a lot of experience casing books. In the end, I made 50 copies which were turned in to the author at the end of my fall term. I had an amazing experience making this book and it was extra gratifying to see that the author adored it just as much as I did. You can purchase a copy now at suzewehr.com.
Myself (left) and Suze Wehr (right) with the completed Amphibeing! Book at Composit Press