Art Books: A Beginner’s Guide is an introductory series for creatives who are interested in making their own books or are looking to publish their own projects.

This 10-episode guide examines publications as an ideal format for artistic presentation and documentation from conception to distribution.

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In this first episode, we will introduce how art books are a compelling format for artists. We will define and share what art publications are, and how they can be an ideal format for artistic presentation and documentation for artists. Next we will unpack the “daunting” idea of publication as a format, focusing on the common challenges described by people who are unfamiliar with the processes of planning a publication. Crucially, we will also describe the co-creative process of art book making, introducing roles of editors, designers, printers and collaborators that can help collectively realise an artist’s vision.

In the conversation portion of this episode, we will be hanging out and talking about books with Renée Ting and Berny Tan from the Singapore Art Book Fair team. They will be sharing about their favorite types of books from their own collections.

Episode 2

Art Books as Art Monographs, Zines & Photo Books

Featuring Lee chang ming

In this episode, we will be discussing monographs, zines and photobooks. We will explore different approaches to artist publications, and how content can be presented differently. A key topic is how this format of publication can be planned and designed to showcase a certain facet of practice or to document the artist’s reflections and engagements.

The episode features a conversation with artist and photographer Lee Chang Ming about his work with independent publisher and platform Nope Fun, the focus on print publications and his relationship with the print form.

In this episode, we will be considering forms of artistic research and creative investigation. Following that, we will discuss the viability of publications as a format to present artistic research, and key considerations when making such a publication.

In the last part of the episode, we will be speaking to Gideon Kong and Jamie Yeo who run gideon—jamie, a two-person studio, and Temporary Press, an independent press.

This episode looks into the ways that publications may accompany and complement the spatial aspect of exhibitions, and act as a means of documentation for exhibitions that are finite. We will introduce the different formats that exhibition publications can exist in, and question what the future of printed documentation or post-exhibition publications are in the digital age, and why they might still be necessary or desirable.

The episode includes a conversation with artist and designer Vanessa Ban and artist Khairullah Rahim on how publications are integral to exhibitions, and how they represent, extend or continue from the exhibition.

Episode 6

Art Books as Online & Digital Presentation

Featuring Joella Kiu, Object Lessons space

In this episode, we investigate how publishing can happen online or in digital formats. We will introduce the characteristics of digital publishing and discuss various formats such as ebooks and interactive PDFs, with a primary focus on websites. We will also consider how digital publications can be a viable form of presenting and disseminating artistic content and research while sharing more about the key considerations in making and maintaining a digital publication.

The episode features a conversation with Joella Kiu from Object Lessons Space and how it runs and exists as an online publication.

This episode explores the ways that publications can differentiate themselves and stand out visually. We will give an overview of how publications are printed, and expand on the printing terms and the possibilities of print, including papers and different printing considerations.

The episode features a conversation with printing company Allegro Print about how they work with artists, and what stakes and aspirations commercial printers have in experimenting with print. 

Episode 8

Art Books as Series & Oeuvre

Featuring Shubigi Rao, Benson Chong & Felix Sng

This episode will discuss how serial publication projects establish their subject matter, content, and themes, as well as the ways a series can position itself and state its intent. We consider multiplicity – the idea of the publication as a series or oeuvre, with volumes and instalments across a timeframe.

The episode will include a conversation with artist Shubigi Rao and design collaborators Benson Chong and Felix Sng from design studio SWELL on the development of the Pulp book series. The conversation will focus on developing editorial direction, and how one might go about writing, developing, and curating their publication’s editions.

In this episode, we will be focusing on the marketing and distribution of art books. We will talk about methods of exposure and gaining visibility for publication projects, such as art book fairs and social media. We will also discuss other considerations when selling publications, such as pricing, sales, and consignment.

This episode features a conversation with Alvin Ho and Clara Koh of Atelier Hoko. They will discuss how they approach the process of working together on the Science of the Secondary series, and how they go about marketing and distributing the series.

Episode 10

Conclusion: Preparing For Your Book & the Future

Featuring Renée Ting & Denise yap

In this final episode of the series, we will be summarising how you can get involved in publishing and identifying good places to start on publishing your project. We will be speculating on the future of art books in an era of volatility. We will discuss the challenges ahead and the ways in which art book publishing can continue to flourish Specifically, we will be addressing how publishing is affected by ever-changing formats and our attention ecology as a society.

In the conversation segment of this episode, we will be speaking with Renee Ting and Denise Yap from the Singapore Art Book Fair team. They will share more about their experiences and to consider how art books fairs are a key channel in the publishing scene and a way into the self-publishing circuit.