50 books 50 covers
New York City/ New York
February 21, 2012
Graphic Art is even more exciting when seeing in a live preview. The 50 books 50 covers expo was book covers at there finest, with a bouquet of the finest book designs of the year. Being there to experience this collection was quite overwhelming. The layout of books on the wall and in the front of the room were a tad bit overwhelming but the book to catch my eye was a small treasure by book designer Irma Bloom entitled “Biography in Books”.
So small but full of so much this 704 page 2 1/2 inch design packed so much punch, illustrating her book designing career. The book is designed by Irna herself and includes notes from the artist. The small red book uses soft cover and a dust jacket to create a smooth and sleek finishing. It sits inside a cardboard coffin that displays the designers name and information. Every books she deigns she starts with a tiny copy. So she can see the way it looks, the way it smells, how the paper looks cut. In fact she has hundreds of them.
You couldn’t expect less from the industry’s leading book designers, a designer so rare she decides the cover without any input from the author.
Publishing Expo
New York City/ New York
March 19, 2012
One of the biggest publishing meeting grounds I have ever witnessed. Every booth inside the gala displayed different printing techniques and new ways of looking at the printing industry today, and there was no room to spread elbows, it was indeed crowded. To sat the least this place was a little confusing and overwhelming for someone who has never seen a place in such a grand arena of print, but I will say I stepped away with more than just a goody bag. I saw how although this was a printing expo the presence of tablets was in the room. And it made it clear it wasn’t going away. I did enjoy seeing some of the old contenders like Xerox and Cannon there to show that getting older is getting better. And new faces now opening on the west cost giving the others a run for there money. All in all I would like to go again someday..not when I’m in school. but o my own, so I will be able to really absorb what the expo had to offer.
Xerox 
Xerox was one of the first booths I happen to stop at. I loved the guy there because he offered me a free pen. He went to tell me how Xerox is trying to bring lost cost solutions to the print world, and to cut p=cost for customers where ever they can. He showed us a pamphlet of all the new machines, some even digital. I loved to see an old school contestant like Xerox there.
Readz 
Moving on the the technology part of the expo, new contenders in print. The tablets. I stopped by another table offering free chocolate (there is the I love food feature). I was curious of the many IPads to sit on the table. A new company called Readz was there displaying there ability to code books and magazines for tablet use. A new company yes, but a company with a spot on idea. Today in the world of print it is crucial to have a tablet/app version for more tech savvy users.He explained how they can make the pages move with the greatest of ease and even add the illusion of paper being turned (for an nominal fee of course)
