Commissioned by Herbert Press (Bloomsbury Publishing), Bound to Be Beautiful is a comprehensive guide to bookbinding techniques and creative ideas for making hand-bound books that are beautiful to look at and hold, as well as a joy to use.

I designed and typeset Bound to Be Beautiful from initial samples through to final layouts, creating a visual system that reflects the precision and tactility of bookbinding. Kensington and Quasimoda provide a distinctive typographic contrast, while a flexible three-column grid, full-bleed imagery and chapter-specific colour palettes create a clear and engaging structure across the book.

Solid and dashed grid lines reference the cut and fold notations used in bookbinding diagrams, while image-led layouts and illustrated guides make the techniques accessible and easy to follow. A considered system of colour, typography and layout brings together detailed instruction and inspirational project photography across the 192-page book.