Bookbinding Design Workshop at The London Archives
16–17 April 2026, London & South Special Event
The London Archives is pleased to be partnering with West Dean College’s new FdA Books and Bindings programme and the London & South Region of the Society of Bookbinders to offer this specialised training in design techniques in preparation for this year’s Society of Bookbinders International Bookbinding Competition.
This two-day workshop will introduce design concepts for bookbinding, open to practiced bookbinders as well as anyone interested in the world of design binding, the highest form of bookbinding, where the binding reflects an artistic response to the text within the book.
No design experience needed!
West Dean tutors will give an overview of design concepts for bookbinding, and recent graduates of the FdA programme will share some of their own approaches to design and discuss how they have transformed their ideas into designs that work on books.
There will be opportunities to allow participants to have a go at various techniques, working through a design process from a set text, from concept to creation. All participants will practice on a design plaquette to take home.
Day one (Thursday)
10:00
Welcome; tea, coffee and pastries
10:30–12:30
Presentations from West Dean tutors and students, who will share their approach to design
12:30–1:30
Lunch on own
1:30–4:00
The afternoon will include demonstrations of various decorative techniques and give participants the opportunity to develop their own design ideas from the set text.
Day two (Friday)
10:00
Welcome; tea, coffee and pastries
10:30–12:30
Additional design technique demonstrations and participants work out designs on their own design plaquettes
12:30–1:30
Lunch on own
1:30–4:00
Complete design plaquettes with an opportunity to share work
Set Text
Participants are asked to read the set text, The Whitsun Weddings, prior to the workshop and take influence from one aspect or from the collection as a whole.
Philip Larkin’s The Whitsun Weddings, is available for free to read online with an account on Internet Archive here.
Or copies are widely available at local libraries and used book stores.
Tool List
Nothing required, but please bring any materials you might want to use for designs, such as coloured pencils, media, paring knife or scalpel handles (#3 and #4). Various scalpel blades will be available for use at the workshop.
For any additional questions on the workshop, please contact Wanda Robins at [email protected].
Cost:
- £55 for members of the Society of Bookbinders (check your mail for code)
- £75 for non-members
Date and time:
- Thursday and Friday, 16–17 April 2026
- 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue:
The London Archives
40 Northampton Road
London
EC1R 0HB
Max number of participants:
- 25
Biographies of West Dean Tutors and Students
Victoria Stevens MA ACR FIIC
Subject Lead Tutor for Books and Library Materials
West Dean College
Victoria has worked in written heritage collections for over 30 years, mainly as a library and archive conservator and collections care adviser but latterly as a learning and engagement lead, a perfect complement to her overall collections work. In 2023 she was awarded a Fellowship of the International Institute of Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. A proud advocate for the heritage profession, she not only serves as a Trustee of the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust but also as an Arts Council Museum accreditation mentor and an Institute of Conservation accreditation assessor.
