What if the Design Lesson is the Physical Book Itself?

A 2:3 rectangle on top of a 4:5 rectangle.

Kale has almost finished the third chair of their apprenticeship (I’ll let Kale show off the chair and discuss it). So, soon they’ll start the fourth and final chair. Here’s the brief on the fourth chair: It must be a new design and made without consult or assistance.

That’s a tall order, and I know Kale is ready.

This substack entry was supposed to be a discussion/lesson I planned to have with Kale last week. But last week went by in just seconds. So you are getting the lesson at the same times as Kale.

First, you must know that Kale is a natural designer. They have art school training, which I’m sure helps. But Kale already has natural instincts about proportion, balance and color.

So this lesson is about what to do when you get stuck with a design. Or what to do when you can’t choose your next move.

I look to the books.

Which books? Well, all of them. I’m not actually reading the books. Instead, I’m looking at their form factors – the width and height of the page. Many of the common sizes of books are pleasing whole-number ratios, such as 2:3, 3:5 and 4:5.

I think of these page sizes as envelopes that I can design in. I might look at a typical 6" x 9" book (a 2:3 ratio) and think of it as the elevation of a cabinet, or the size of the backrest of a chair.

I have these book sizes burned into my brain (thanks, corporate publishing!), but these whole-number ratios appear everywhere. Not only on your bookshelf, but in your wallet. Credit cards measure 2.125" x 3.375" – which is 2:3.

If you fancy photography (wink, wink, nudge, nudge?) then your brain is positively awash in 2:3 ratios: 4" x 6", 5" x 7" and on up with the standard photo sizes.

These ratios are almost inescapable (standard postcards are 4" x 6", or 2:3).

There are lots of 4:5 ratios out there, especially 8" x 10" photos and 8" x 10" books. My stereo components are 14" x 17" (which is close to 4:5). Playing cards (especially bridge-sized cards) are a pleasing whole-number ratio.

So how is this helpful when you get stuck? Here’s how I do it: