May 23, 2025 - As image-makers we naturally focus on the 2D picture plane, contemplating the arrangement of elements on the page, the subject matter, and creating the illusion of 3D space. Rarely do we need to think beyond the boundaries of the picture's edge. However, a new world opens up if we consider the context in which our images appear, and this is especially true for book illustration. The physical form of the book, from things like paper stock to the way readers navigate through its pages, can enhance the reading experience and elevate it to an object of aesthetic beauty. So it follows that good book illustration is not just about the image, but how it functions within the printed book. When I was a student - first in graphic design, and then in illustration - some…