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Focus on one thing and do it well. That's the philosophy behind Bible Design Blog. Here the focus is on the physical form of the Good Book. I discuss good design with an emphasis on reader-friendly formats, which means elegant layout, opaque paper, and sewn bindings that open flat. The Bible is more than a reference work. It's meant to be read. Choices made by designers, printers, and bookbinders all influence readability - though their sway usually goes unremarked. Not here.
Bible Design Blog exists to share my love of good design and quality binding. I want to spread my passion for reader-friendly Bibles, which means elegant single column layouts, opaque paper, and sewn bindings that open flat. While we live in what are arguably the twilight years of printed books as a mass market commodity, that doesn't mean the demand for beautifully designed, well produced books will disappear, too. If anything, craftsmanship and quality seem more important to us than ever. If Bible Design Blog helps foster more appreciation for the physical form of the Bible, and books in general, I will be more than satisfied.
My general advice is to buy a single column setting with a sewn binding that opens flat. This will give you a reading experience similar to that of a well-made novel. Try to find a Bible printed on reasonably opaque paper, too. All thin-papered Bibles will suffer from ghosting or show-through - i.e., the words printed on the reverse of the page will show through, giving the impression of a five o'clock shadow - but some are worse than others.
Take your time and do some research. You'll find lots of reviews on Bible Design Blog, plenty of photographs and user experiences. Decide which edition meets your needs best and shop around for a good price. Be prepared, though: because quality editions are printed in relatively small numbers these days, the prices are high compared to what you would pay for a cheap mass-produced Bible with a glued binding and a polyurethane cover. Note, too, that spending more doesn't always get you more. There are quality Bibles with sewn bindings available for as little as £20 in hardcover or synthetic bindings. These may serve you just as well as a more expensive leather-bound edition.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Name: Mark Bertrand
email:
[email protected] Twitter: Bible Design Blog
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