ABSTRACT
Alongside the work of the editor in product development, the contributions from the design and production staff are equally critical. Good design sells books – whether it is the cover of a novel attracting an impulse buyer in a shop, or the eff ective use of typography and illustrations in a school textbook. Some publishers, especially in the highly illustrated book and art book markets, are actively design-led. Their design standards are used as a marketing and sales tool internationally. In the transition to digital publishing, production managers make crucial decisions about quality which aff ect how a book is perceived in a market of multiple p and e formats. Through eff ective purchasing of services from freelancers, trade suppliers and project management companies, they ensure that work is kept to budget and schedule.
