Live on Zoom
Through online presentations, tutorials, assignments, and one-on-one development, participants will think deeply about the creative choices behind their intended outcome and apply these strategies to best realize their intentions through both design and materials.
The workshop will cover a brief reference of contemporary and historical design strategies, as well as look at books designed by Lamotte for practical insight into various approaches. We will discuss and explore everything from lo-fi artist zines to offset-printed and bound photobooks.
During the workshop, each participant will present their own idea to the class and work to bring their project to life using InDesign (or other layout software). Throughout the workshop, Lamotte will help develop a practical plan for production and give advice as to how to produce your physical book through various local or online printers. The workshop will culminate with a group presentation of participants’ newly designed photography books.
This workshop is open for anyone who has an existing photographic series that they would like to make into a book. It's preferable if you have already edited and sequenced the work from Ceschel’s workshop the weekend before, but it isn’t necessary. Previous experience of using InDesign is helpful but not required for participation, there will be an optional crash-course tutorial for those who need assistance.
Brian Paul Lamotte (b. 1984, San Francisco, USA) is an independent graphic designer and publisher specializing in art and photography books. His process-based practice relies on a close collaboration with artists, editors, and printers, and often emphasizes the haptic qualities of print through the use of materials, hand-made treatments, and specialized production.
He has designed and produced books for select publishers, editors, and artists including; Aperture Foundation (Lesley A. Martin), Carmen Winant, Charlie Engman, Dashwood Books, David Brandon Geeting, Edition Patrick Frey, Hauser & Wirth Publishers, ITI Press (Image Text Ithaca), John Chiara, Marcia Resnick, Meta/Books (Delphine Bedel), Nicholas Muellner, Nick Sethi, Rizzoli, Sasha Wolf, Shane Lavalette and SPBH Editions (Self Publish, Be Happy/Bruno Ceschel). Books he has designed have been shortlisted for the Paris Photo–Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards and Rencontres d’Arles Book Awards.
He has conducted book-making workshops at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Lucerne (HSLU), and has previously been a visiting lecturer at the School of Visual Arts, Parsons School of Design, and the International Center for Photography (New York).
Testimonials
For the workshop, Zoom is a great platform to connect photographers near and far. I truly enjoyed the small class format, fostering a strong sense of community between all participants.
- Jamil Hellu, How To Self Publish a Photobook Workshop with Bruno Ceschel and How To Design a Photobook with Brian Paul Lamotte, December 2020
The diversity of students brought fresh and differing opinions. Bruno’s sharp and sensitive diagnosis of the problems in my book project really pushed me in the final stage of editing. The fast pace of the course was unexpectedly liberating as it removed all inhibitions during the process of making.
- Han Mengyun, How To Self Publish a Photobook with Bruno Ceschel attendee, November 2020
I went into SPBH’s first 2-day online book editing workshop with an open mind and was genuinely impressed by the format. We all made great progress and felt supported by the SPBH team throughout but what was particularly rewarding and enjoyable was how we were actively encouraged to engage with and support each other’s project on both an intellectual and practical level.
- Matt Hind, How To Self Publish a Photobook with Bruno Ceschel attendee, November 2020