The Designer Behind Penguin's Clothbound Classics | Work In Progress with Coralie Bickford-Smith

Ойын-сауық

We spent some time in the studio of the iconic Penguin Clothbound Classics book cover designer, Coralie Bickford-Smith, to learn about her process. You can pre-order The Lottery here: amzn.to/48f7Ddd
Coralie Bickford-Smith is a senior in-house designer at Penguin Books. Known most notably for creating the clothbound classics covers. Inspired by Victorian-era binding, Coralie has single-handedly taken her designs from initial sketches to physical books found on bookcases across the globe for over a decade.
This year, Coralie is expanding this beloved collection and unveiling the Little Clothbounds and the inspiration behind her designs.
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Пікірлер: 86

  • @anastasia1206
    @anastasia1206 Жыл бұрын

    She is so talented! It was really fascinating to hear Coralie's story behind the Dracula cover! How those garlic flowers are guarding readers by keeping Dracula and all the evil inside the book and away from the reader. So clever and genius.

  • @jennid1573
    @jennid1573 Жыл бұрын

    “I‘m not saying I’m a true artist at all”. She very much is and she should be proud to say it loud. People shouldn’t be afraid to toot their own hoot. 📚👏🏻

  • @rob484

    @rob484

    Жыл бұрын

    I prefer a humble artist.

  • @renad-ne3mm

    @renad-ne3mm

    Жыл бұрын

    @@rob484 there's a difference between being humble and not knowing your worth.

  • @rob484

    @rob484

    Жыл бұрын

    @@renad-ne3mm I'm pretty sure the head book cover designer for Penguin books knows her worth.

  • @aa-qx7je
    @aa-qx7je Жыл бұрын

    I've been buying them for years because I reaaly love the designs. What an absolute treasure and surprise this video was! Thank you.

  • @GrimTransmission
    @GrimTransmission8 ай бұрын

    I started collecting these, but after my third I chose to give them away and switch to the Everyman's Library clothbounds instead (much nicer in so many ways, however, they're all the same colour red under their dust jackets, which some people may not appreciate). The reason for my switch was because, on every one I had bought, the ink on the covers would rub off easily and look horrible by the end of my first read. Also, the bindings aren't very sturdy and the ribbons unravel at the tip. It's important to note how carefully I treat my books: I don't travel with them (they're not being stuffed into bags or handled roughly), they are kept on my bookshelf to only be read at home. Has anyone else had these problems with them? The ease and rate of their decay is something that should have been recognised and corrected before they had gone into large-scale production.

  • @oliverreeves5637

    @oliverreeves5637

    5 ай бұрын

    I have the same problem, read the adventures of huckleburry finn the way I read any other book without being too delicate or considerate but I am not a book sadist (took it with me on the train, had it in the bag, held it where the cover is while reading). Sadly I noticed the ink on the covers crumbled and stuck on to my fingers. I expect a book to wear a little bit even a supposed premium one (this series is only premium price wise) but not the cover to fall apart after a single reading. I received three books from this series for my birthday, same thing happened to Metamorphoses by Ovid. I was very careful while reading Monte Christo - holding it by the edges avoiding the cover and still I noticed some wear. Other than that on some pages the ink from the text weathered away in all three. This is obviously not a series that will last in my humble library for the next of kin or others to read and I do wish to read a book I have purchased and not just keep it on the shelf looking grand (I think it is not too much to ask for both quality and aesthetics). This series though aesthetically pleasing has serious shortcomings in other areas. I did not get to appreciate the beauty of the cover for long.

  • @akm2012

    @akm2012

    3 ай бұрын

    I collect both everymans and penguin clothbounds…..and everymans do actually come in quite a lot of colours pertaining to the era they are written in….the reason you’re getting red/scarlet js that you probably have books only from the victorian era or the contemporary classics(burgundy)

  • @GrimTransmission

    @GrimTransmission

    3 ай бұрын

    @@akm2012 Thanks, that's great to know. So far my Everyman's collection consists only of classic Russian literature so that would certainly explain it. Happy to know that they won't all be that same colour, cause while they do look nice, a little variation would be appreciated.

  • @VideogamesWorld93

    @VideogamesWorld93

    2 ай бұрын

    So bad when an amazing design gets ruined by low quality materials.

  • @felix.dagenais

    @felix.dagenais

    25 күн бұрын

    I've found a fix to the cover prints rubbing off: artist's fixative (the heavier, multimedia stuff, not the stuff for chalks and charcoals). Does leave the print a tad shiny, but it will stay. For the ribbon I usually, as soon as I can after purchase, will saturate a short section with PVA glue, let it dry, then cut it so there is only a short section of glue which keeps the ribbon together.

  • @Fatherlake
    @Fatherlake Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely a huge fan of these editions, the cover designs definitely make these the prettiest books on the market IMO. However I really wish the bindings were more sturdy, and that the cover designs wouldn't rub off so easily. I'll probably keep buying them bc they're not much more expensive (and sometimes cheaper) than the paperback editions (id still buy them if they were sturdier and more expensive though), but I feel like Penguin kinda just expects people to leave them on the shelf as collectibles and not actually read them.

  • @GrimTransmission

    @GrimTransmission

    8 ай бұрын

    This is the exact impression I got, and I feel readers should seriously consider your comment as warning. They really do just feel like collectibles, and will begin their decomposition on the first read. Apart from the look, people tend to buy hardcovers for longevity, yet these don't seem like they'd last long at all.

  • @grace-zb5zx
    @grace-zb5zx Жыл бұрын

    i’ve been collecting the clothbound classics little by little & i can’t wait to have shelves full of them one day! wonderful work

  • @MB-hc9tk
    @MB-hc9tk7 ай бұрын

    I love these editions so much and will continue to collect them because they are truly a treasure . It’s a beautiful experience reading from them , from the feel of the covers to the perfect size text and borders and weight of the paper . I adore them , I adore everything about them and of course the stories. You just become immersed another world or time. I really enjoyed placing a face to the talented artist of these colourful covers . She too is a joy to watch and listen to ❤ so thank you for that and please continue this fabulous work. Two things I would like to address from watching numerous videos from collectors and part of my own experience (I’m sure it may have been said to you guys before because I think I’ve heard you’ve now changed the sticker at the back to a paper cover, which is great but i have yet to encounter it myself ) every one I’ve bought still has the sticker which leaves a residue, some I’ve managed to get the residue off or the mark isn’t that noticeable (example zweigs chess, I think it’s because this one is white cloth) but other collectors seem to be reluctant to take the sticker off because of this happening (I can’t stand it on it so I’ll take it off as carefully as I can and just deal with the fact the residue is there) Other people have mentioned the ink transferring to their hands , this has not happened to me personally with my books , but I’ll always wash and dry my hands throughly before handling them in a bid to stop as many oils from my hands perhaps messing with the ink ? Regardless of these two things I LOVE these and the paperback English penguin library editions so please keep em’ coming!!😂 they are will be passed down to my children (I have 3 and hopefully theirs too)

  • @deptofgratitude
    @deptofgratitude Жыл бұрын

    Stunning work. Beautiful, intricate. And she just casually drops 'Midsommar' as her favourite movie.

  • @fgjhcfgg24242
    @fgjhcfgg242422 ай бұрын

    penguin clothbounds as well as the modern classics always have that sense of timelessness to them. love them to pieces. love even more the story and creative process that goes into each of them. and that i say thank you coralie!

  • @realkingofantarctica
    @realkingofantarctica2 ай бұрын

    How gorgeous and prestigious would a shelf full of these clothebound classics look? This woman deserves all the praise, and then some.

  • @marceli-wac
    @marceli-wac Жыл бұрын

    Seeing these wonderful covers got me back into reading, love the simplicity of the design and how well it weaves into the stories!

  • @LizziebelleXOX
    @LizziebelleXOX Жыл бұрын

    I’m a huge fan Coralie ❤️❤️I loved getting a sneak peek into your work & studio. It’s wonderful and you’re amazing 🤩📖📚💛

  • @davefrederick9352

    @davefrederick9352

    Жыл бұрын

    Hey

  • @anyavanwyk
    @anyavanwyk Жыл бұрын

    I love my clothbound classics💚. Thanks for your amazing work, Coralie!

  • @belsnickles
    @belsnickles Жыл бұрын

    I love these. What a treat to meet the mind behind them.

  • @david.a.rieckhofTV
    @david.a.rieckhofTV Жыл бұрын

    Coralie is a very good book designer and I admire her work. I love the overall design of the clothbound classics and just started my small collection 👍🏼

  • @chiezasex
    @chiezasex Жыл бұрын

    Just brought the collection and they are so beautiful, you did such a fantastic job!

  • @tomlabooks3263
    @tomlabooks3263 Жыл бұрын

    What a wonderful artist!! Love her style.

  • @meliB32
    @meliB3210 ай бұрын

    This video was just lovely! I absolutely loved watching this 😍 ❤️

  • @finreads
    @finreads Жыл бұрын

    I love the clothbound classics so much they’re gorgeous

  • @delinawejdeby2043
    @delinawejdeby20438 ай бұрын

    Amazing! I love this collection!

  • @YouHaveAGoodPoint
    @YouHaveAGoodPoint Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for your beautiful books! I love them!!!

  • @heloberaldo
    @heloberaldo Жыл бұрын

    Amazing work, thanks for sharing!

  • @WillImrie
    @WillImrie9 ай бұрын

    Her book designs are wonderful, and she seems like a lovely person. Will need to complete my collection of these!

  • @SupergirlUK
    @SupergirlUK Жыл бұрын

    Clicked so fast! 🥰😍 Love her work! The lottery (& the mini's) are released on 25th 🙌

  • @gao9963
    @gao9963 Жыл бұрын

    Adore your works and have been building up my collection of Victorian titles.

  • @perydan
    @perydan Жыл бұрын

    It is so satisfying to see her bookshelves.

  • @kelzagarcia8112
    @kelzagarcia81127 ай бұрын

    I’m so obsessed!!

  • @TheWriteStuffWC
    @TheWriteStuffWC Жыл бұрын

    Her work is incredible!

  • @eugeniekruijt2853
    @eugeniekruijt2853 Жыл бұрын

    Any tips on preserving the clothbounds? I feel like the designs peel or fade quickly :(

  • @EV0LS1D0G

    @EV0LS1D0G

    Жыл бұрын

    I read them as I sit on the couch or in bed, with a pillow on my lap and place the book on the pillow. That way your hands mostly just touch the pages and not the cover. They do fade a bit if you just hold them in your hands. But that is just the nature of the thing I guess.

  • @GrimTransmission

    @GrimTransmission

    8 ай бұрын

    If you buy some fixative/clear-coat spray paint (matte is probably ideal but either would be fine) you can spray it on the covers and it will add a protective layer. You just have to be carefull to open it first and rap a towel or something around the actual pages, because if they got clear-coat on them they'd likely stick together.

  • @Daniel__Nobre
    @Daniel__Nobre Жыл бұрын

    Great interview!

  • @hyerimkim6162
    @hyerimkim6162 Жыл бұрын

    Great works love it💕

  • @rockandrollsealionsealion9911
    @rockandrollsealionsealion9911 Жыл бұрын

    WHY DO THE DESIGNS SCRATCH OFF???

  • @paola2455
    @paola2455 Жыл бұрын

    Only one word: FANTASTICA!

  • @albertobozzetto8939
    @albertobozzetto8939 Жыл бұрын

    A fascinating story and a nice , intriguing woman. I love it/her.

  • @fabiopin424
    @fabiopin4243 ай бұрын

    Great work Coralie, congratulations. It's so sad that printed designs come out so quickly tho 😞

  • @niekpinoy93
    @niekpinoy9310 ай бұрын

    I have Frankenstein and tales of 1001 nights of this editions and the designs are such an eye candy I love penguins clothbound editions

  • @felix.dagenais
    @felix.dagenais25 күн бұрын

    To everyone looking for a solution to the cover ink coming off: heavy duty artist's fixative (the sort for multimedia projects, not the chalk/pastel/charcoal sort). A good spray on the covers and spine and it no longer comes off on the hands. Does make the print a tad shiny, but I'd argue that the survival of the print is worth it.

  • @butterflymoon6368
    @butterflymoon6368 Жыл бұрын

    how lovely!

  • @praalgraf
    @praalgraf Жыл бұрын

    a designer i thoroughly enjoy and apparently a lovely woman as well, brilliant interview!

  • @testcardII
    @testcardII Жыл бұрын

    Amazing! PS: Just curious, which font does she use for the Penguin Clothbound Classics? Fantastic typography, for sure.

  • @anastasia1206
    @anastasia1206 Жыл бұрын

    Oooow, she has a Moomin mug 🧡

  • @quimetaostudium8676
    @quimetaostudium8676 Жыл бұрын

    GENIUS

  • @gc6497
    @gc64978 ай бұрын

    She is amazing

  • @amberlawson4043
    @amberlawson4043 Жыл бұрын

    Does anyone know who the author of that book-bindings book is? I loved every second of this video!

  • @speedracer2841
    @speedracer2841 Жыл бұрын

    She's a person I would definitely love to go out and have a cup of coffee with.

  • @Kyna198
    @Kyna198 Жыл бұрын

    she’s a hero

  • @orangeppl
    @orangeppl3 күн бұрын

    ❤❤❤

  • @queerpeopleinthehouse3294
    @queerpeopleinthehouse329411 ай бұрын

    I love them sm but they fade quickly 😭😭😭

  • @werdle92
    @werdle92 Жыл бұрын

    She is so beautiful 😍

  • @EmoblazeXD
    @EmoblazeXD Жыл бұрын

    As much as I love the aesthetics of the books, I try to refrain myself from purchasing them due of the glue binding.

  • @outlawbookselleroriginal
    @outlawbookselleroriginal Жыл бұрын

    Despite my deference to Coralie's obvious skill as a designer, the standard format clothbounds are not B Format books, they are Demy format. B is strictly a paperback format and it is smaller than a Demy, which is a long established hardcover/cased format. The B was launched in the 1960s with Paladin by Sonny Mehta and in its revised form (broadened slightly) it found its definitive shape and size in Picador. The success of Picador - which aped the 'egghead' format of US literary/underground literary paperbacks of the early 60s - prompted other UK publishers to move from A format to B format to imply that their lists were as 'literary' and hip as the books issued by Picador. When Coralie refers to B format as the 'classic' paperback format, this is also incorrect, as B has only been the standard since the late 1980s. If anything, the A Format paperback (which the new Little Clothbounds are close to) is the 'classic' paperback format, the one that dominated mass market publishing from 1935 to the early 80s. Some SF, Crime Fiction - and Penguin's relaunched Pelican range in paperback - are true A formats.

  • @mikedevlin2048
    @mikedevlin20484 ай бұрын

    Love these editions… I wonder what the inspiration was for the cover of Dostoyevsky’s “The brothers Karamazov”

  • @lbmartin14
    @lbmartin148 ай бұрын

    Can anyone help me identify the book at 5:42? I'd love to see this in person.

  • @pollyfoofoo8703
    @pollyfoofoo87036 ай бұрын

    That was really lovely but i was hoping to meet Max 😉 😋

  • @somebodynormal4807
    @somebodynormal48079 ай бұрын

    Because of penguin clothbound designs i will buy books based on their cover

  • @YouHaveAGoodPoint
    @YouHaveAGoodPoint Жыл бұрын

    I wonder how many are there?

  • @divinhaquem
    @divinhaquem Жыл бұрын

    Dear Penguin, I'd love to see your beautiful bags, pen mugs and... CLOTH COVERS WALLPAPERS for libraries in your website, to create a reader's environment to balance this tech and pop aesthetic rough for physical reader's, where books turn into decoration - when decoration could invite us to read with this penguin signs. Best regards from Brazil!

  • @getthefakepanda8334
    @getthefakepanda8334 Жыл бұрын

    your work is so importand

  • @marthacanady9441
    @marthacanady94415 ай бұрын

    Love, love, love the designs, but (and this is a big but) the cover designs rub off with use. That’s a huge problem that needs solving before I buy another one

  • @titus663
    @titus663 Жыл бұрын

    Such a shame that her great work is wasted on these horribly cheap unreadably stiff glue-bound editions. I don't understand why penguin don't charge a little more and bind them properly, I would pay!

  • @gavinbarnes6310
    @gavinbarnes631027 күн бұрын

    Wish the foil didnt come off so easy tho

  • @incandescent.glow.
    @incandescent.glow.Ай бұрын

    I love these editions so much but they wear off so easily :( 7:19

  • @borkwoof696
    @borkwoof69610 күн бұрын

    Aesthetically and artistically, these books are phenomenal but unfortunately they are also entirely impractical. The beautiful artwork literally falls apart between your fingers as the paint rubs off while reading. Not only that, but for the price you’re getting glued bindings instead of sewn ones, meaning they won’t last as long and can’t be broken in the same.

  • @superficialwannabe
    @superficialwannabe Жыл бұрын

    The screen print for both Naked Lunch and Orlando rubs off! Very bad quality!

  • @sahilhussain270
    @sahilhussain2703 ай бұрын

    The colors of this edition books startes fading away within few month 😢

  • @Ahnor1989
    @Ahnor19892 ай бұрын

    The design of those editions is very nice, unfortunately the production quality is horrible. Stiff glued binding, the printing rubs off at the slightest touch. Will never buy them again.

  • @kososklitikariss
    @kososklitikariss4 ай бұрын

    I have the Dracula one and although its beautiful DO NOT BUY IT! Design rubs off after only one VERY CAREFUL read. Looks like shit now

  • @salty-walt
    @salty-waltАй бұрын

    Her design work is wonderful! The execution on the books is terrible! They are difficult to read and the external inks wear off in less than one reading and it carries oils and stains worse than a used dime store paperback.

  • @persaudwedding8660
    @persaudwedding8660Ай бұрын

    Your designs are beautiful. Unfortunately, we don't get to enjoy them for very long, as they peel and rub off once you start reading the book.

  • @jonsmith1162
    @jonsmith1162 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Penguin. Why have you published a novel that celebrates and relishes the idea of an entire racial group being wiped out?

  • @vallano8970

    @vallano8970

    Жыл бұрын

    huh

  • @folkwh0re

    @folkwh0re

    Жыл бұрын

    What book are you referring to?

  • @juanfragueiroaramburu

    @juanfragueiroaramburu

    10 ай бұрын

    So you say censorship should be the rule. Good to know

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