City Lit bookbinding
This course has now started
Course Code: VD190
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Duration: 33 sessions (over 40 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
On this course you will gain a sound working knowledge of bookbinding. You will learn about book structure, techniques, materials, terminology, tools and equipment, and investigate historical and contemporary themes. Selecting and using design methods and elements in your bookbinding is an integral part of the course. Skills and knowledge gained will complement and support your future bookbinding practice.
What will we cover?
The course will cover the making of a range of bookbinding structures using a wide variety of techniques, including: single-section pamphlets with both limp paper covers and stiff boards, several multi-section bindings case bound in cloth and paper, samples of many types of sewing, and enclosures to protect bindings.
During the course you will bind books with both flat backs and rounded spines and learn rounding and backing and how to hand-sew endbands. You will be able to work on one personal project during the final term.
Some sessions will include creative work and discussion about the design aspects of contemporary bookbinding. As a group, we will look at some aspects of the history of bookbinding and some key historical and current makers in the craft. In addition to group and one-to-one tutorial support from your tutor, you will be encouraged to develop self-critical skills which will help you to produce individual pieces of work to a high standard.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Use a variety of sewing techniques to sew single and multi-section text blocks, and single sheets
- Make a variety of different styles of book covers
- Round and back a text-block
- Make a variety of endpapers, and a hand-sewn headband
- Recognise contemporary and historical styles and makers
- Select and use design methods and elements in your bookbinding
- Move on to further study in conservation, fine binding or artist’s books.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is aimed at beginners or those who wish to revise basic skills and build up their knowledge of techniques.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You will be asked to take part in a small group presentation on a contemporary or historical binder chosen by your group.
You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations. Your work will be assessed and on completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught by demonstration, individual and group tuition. We will use the internet to research work relevant
to the course. You will be invited to contribute to class discussions and you will be asked to think critically about your own work as part of your learning experience and to log this in your weekly record. You may occasionally find it helpful to be able to complete or revise work at home during the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Some basic materials are included in the cost of the course during term 1. For terms 2 and 3, materials such as board, paper and cloth can be purchased from the classroom. As personal work progresses, students will be expected to provide for their own, more specific requirements.
You will need to provide your own basic small tools set once the course commences and you should allow at least £40 for this. You will be advised on this during the first weeks and nothing needs to be purchased before the class starts. Please bring a sharp pencil and notebook to each class. You will be expected to make your own notes to supplement the course handouts.
Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencils to printing services, at 15% off.
To get an LGC discount card, students will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment of them being a student at City Lit. You can apply for our card in-store or by simply emailing info@londongraphics.co.uk with a scan or photo of relevant confirmation. The student discount does not apply to products that are already discounted or on offer. More information can be found here- https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/student-discounts/.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Recommended progression from VD190:
- VD322 City Lit Bookbinding intermediate
- VD320 Bookbinding: improver's workshop
You may also be interested in short courses:
- VD357 Limp Vellum binding
- VD316 Wooden boarded binding
- VD434 Bradel binding
- VD360 Bookbinding weekend: endband extravaganza
Repair and conservation courses:
- VD324 & VD325 Book conservation for beginners
- VD351 Conservation for beginners
- VD202 & VD203 Book conservation
Book arts
- VD292 Book art: Learn to bind artist’s books.
- VD438 Print, design and bind: a book in a week.
Sue Doggett is an artist who creates hand-made books and bindings. She gained a first class honours degree in Visual Studies and Art History from Oxford Brookes University in 1985 and an MA in Design from Brighton University in 1998. She received the World Craft Council Award for Contemporary Craft in 1994 and was elected a Fellow of Designer Bookbinders in 1996. She has lectured and led workshops in book arts in the UK, Europe and the USA and is currently teaching on the BA (Hons) Graphic Design course at Camberwell College of Arts and is a bookbinding and book arts tutor at City Lit. As an exhibiting Fellow of Designer Bookbinders, Sue works to public and private commission including the Man Booker Prize for Fiction and she is the current editor of ‘The New Bookbinder’ journal. Her work is represented in public and private collections in Europe and USA and can be seen at the Hyman Kreitman Research Library, Tate Britain; The Folger Library, Washington DC; Yale University Library, The Bodleian Library, Oxford; The Centre for Fine Print Research, Bristol and Manchester Metropolitan Museum.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.