The exhibit of award-winning book designs and the Association of American University Presses Book, Jacket, and Journal Show 2013 is currently being exhibited at member presses around the country and will be displayed at the Mississippi Library Commission (3881 Eastwood Drive in Jackson) on Thursday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. At 5:15 p.m. a panel of University Press of Mississippi designers will present a discussion highlighting book designs they find distinct, unique, and inspiring. Refreshments will be provided by the BOOKFRIENDS of the University Press of Mississippi.
“We’re thrilled to host this event, as it is something new for us,” says UPM director Leila Salisbury. “Beautiful book design is a crucial part of who we are and what we do at the Press, but it’s something we don’t talk about as often. Amid all the discussion of ebooks, we are still also deeply committed to the physical book, and this will be a wonderful opportunity to share ideas about trends in design.”
UPM Art Director John Langston adds, “Anyone who loves real, physical books should come and see this beautiful exhibit. Books featured range from fabulous coffee table art books to small but elegant t poetry collections. It’s a treat for all who are ready to look away from whatever tiny screen they carry and be reminded why books have been around for hundreds of years.”
The Book, Jacket, and Journal Show is a juried design competition, open only to AAUP member publishers, that seeks to honor the design and production teams whose work furthers a long tradition of excellence in book design. Through a traveling exhibit and acclaimed annual catalog of selected entries, it visually teaches the tenets of good design. “These award-winning designs come from presses all over the country, and this will be an important reminder that our university press is an active part of a larger scholarly and publishing community,” Salisbury notes. “I hope this presentation will remind Mississippi students, faculty, and general readers that our Press is a resource for understanding trends in publishing and scholarly communication. As this topic is something different from what we usually present, I also hope that those who may not know much about our work will come and discover more about the state’s largest non-profit publishing operation.”
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