This is just a quick post to remind Book Fans that Chip Kidd and other Pantheon Authors will be at SAN DIEGO COMIC CON this weekend. Actually, the show runs from Thursday, July 12th to Sunday, July 15th. Pantheon Publishing will be at BOOTH #1515 ( we included a nice map down below. Don’t worry, the booth is easy to find ) and Chip Kidd will be there most days around 12-noon. Also remember, any time you’re ever wondering where Chip’s next event or lecture will be held just be sure to visit the NEXT APPEARANCE page of this website, Thanks!

Pretty soon you’re gonna need to visit the HACK THE COVER Website because Writer, Designer, and Blogger Craig Mod (@craigmod) has written a very provocative essay on the future of book cover design in the digital age. This is an essay for both Book Lovers and Designers curious about where the cover has been, where it’s going, and what the “ethos of covers” means for digital eBook design.

In it, he explains about the new “function for Book Covers to stop being Salesmen” and how covers are now either regulated to just being an icon image or not even existing at all. He also shares a theory about what all this will mean for over-all book design as well. Another great thing about the article is he gives a nice shout out to a few Knopf Designers: Peter Mendelsund, Cardon Webb and Chip Kidd. Seriously, we can’t gush enough about how wonderful and important this piece is so please be sure to click HERE and check it out!

ALBERT CAMUS Book Cover Designs by Peter Mendelsund

OLIVER SACKS Book Cover Designs by Cardon Webb

HARUKI MURAKAMI Book Jacket Design by Chip Kidd

OK, As kind of a legal disclaimer ( ha ha ) we must state that this book cover for THE GREAT GATSBY was NOT designed by Chip Kidd. But, it is one of the most iconic Book Jackets out there in the world, it’s just beautiful. Plus, it is a GREAT American Novel. Here’s a funny video giving sort of a study of this classic book & the guy makes a few good points. Enjoy!

Check out this totally hilarious Video by Designer Aaron Draplin of the Draplin Design Company. In it, he explains his total angst over the future of American Design. The thing that makes it so funny is that it’s both extremely honest… and very true, ha!

OK, if you enjoyed that then you’ll want to be sure to watch this video lecture taped at the Walker Art Center where he explains his origin in getting into design & also shares some of his design processes. Plus, he also explains, a little bit, about the above video… good stuff!!

WOW! What an honor! Chip Kidd’s new Graphic Novel, BATMAN: DEATH BY DESIGN, was recently reviewed by Todd Klein. Yes, THE Todd Klein! For the 3 or 4 people who don’t know who this guy is he’s a very well-known Comic Book Artist & Designer. His main focus seems to be the study & appreciation of “Comic Book Logos”. His career in comics mostly revolved around the art of lettering, at which, he became a True Master! So much so, that in 2002 he was asked to write the 2nd half of an Art Instruction Book titled, “THE DC COMICS GUIDE TO COLORING AND LETTERING COMICS”. He now writes a very popular BLOG & it’s there that he did his book review. So, please give it a quick read by clicking HERE! ( Thanks Mr. Klein )

This is just a quick post to share some amazing designs revolving around the idea of “Book Shelves” or “Bookcases”. Hey, as Book Lovers we all need this kind of storage so why not make it interesting! The last one is kinda funny because it involves some serious privacy issues, ha!

In October 2008, Author John Updike spoke with Sam Tanenhaus, the editor of the New York Times Book Review, about the craft of fiction and the art of writing.

Every now and then Chip Kidd runs into a super-famous person, like everyday ( Ha Ha, Just Kidding ). But here’s a recent photo where he did bump into Tom Brokaw, the iconic American Television Journalist and Author. Wow! What an honor. Chip said he was a very nice guy and was cool enough to pose for this quick picture.

Here’s a YouTube Video we came across that features a lecture given by Chip Kidd back in 2008. It is from an event at the University of Michigan’s School of Art & Design. The theme of the show was “A Number of People “. Hey, just watch it, you’ll get an idea what that means, ha! The video also contains some background to the design of a few Book Covers and Dust Jackets along with some interesting info on the Authors. Enjoy, and please don’t forget to share on Twitter or Facebook!

OK, I hope the title to this post is not misleading. It’s NOT about clever “Book Design” but more about ways to enjoy reading & storing/displaying books in a clever way. Check out the photos, you’ll see what we’re talking about!

This “READ” Bookcase for the wall is very funny & would make a great weekend project. So, go to your local Home Depot, get some supplies, and then get on it! The next pic shows some interesting “Metal Art Bookends” we came across on Etsy ( the one with the Black Birds is my personal favorite ). Last, but not least, is this amazing new product, the “Reading-Pod”! This device allows you to add a special reading space outside. Yes, go ahead & admit it, you really really NEED it!