African American Christian Authors Library Bookmark Design

Front side of 8.5x11 page fits three 3.5x8.5 inch bookmarks or "bookcards."

One of our librarians requested a large, 3.5x8.5 inch bookmark printed on 110lb or similar card stock (which we sometimes refer to as a "bookcard)." On it, she wanted to list names of a few prominent authors of that genre. It would be for patrons to then use those names to look up further information about the authors, such as what books they wrote, etc. If specific books written by these authors were to be included as part of this project, we would have to either identify many fewer authors on the card, or change formats and use a brochure instead of a bookcard, in which case it would be referred to as a book list. For this initial request, the librarian only asked for 50 bookmarks, but we both knew she'd be back for more later.

My first challenge for creation of the bookcard was find a way to present the list of names on one side of the card only, leaving the back for branch contact information. I found that listing them all in one single column used up the entire height of the card and left no room for any visual element, so I opted for a two column approach that left a little more vertical room to utilize for art. For type styling, I wanted to display the names in a manner that was respectful and elegant, and possibly in some way that also elicited a certain reverence toward the subject matter, if possible.

So after styling my text, I went looking for domain free background images of stained glass windows, stone building walls, pillars, and archways. I found a few that looked workable, but one looked particularly like a clear winner: a nice stone wall framed by a stone arch. I placed the image into my working space and enlarged it enough so that the arch perfectly framed the two column list of authors. I used the same image on the back side as well, but enlarged it even more to remove the archway from view so that only the background tile showed under the library contact listing.

The archway image colours were soft and muted in such a way that the details within the image wouldn't create too much background distraction, and I further enhanced readability by lightening the image so there would be even more contrast between it and the words. Because there was a dark shadow created in the archway, I made the headline white and added a slight shadow behind it to help set it off from the lighter areas of the background image. This also helped the headline to stand apart more prominently from the author list text.

With only a background image and type, I felt like it needed a little something to dress it up and to help direct the eye to the top of the reading list, so I went on the hunt for a printer's dingbat or flourish. Nothing I saw struck me as being reasonably in accord with the style or subject matter, so I looked further, this time extending my search to include crosses, tombstones, and window shapes.

Eventually, I came across an old, traditional cross. It had short arrowhead-like arms on the top and sides that protruded from a central circle. A bottom arm extended down much further to form a bona fide cross. This was more of a literal symbol than an accent mark, so I shortened the long, descending arm upward to make all the arms the same length. This gave it a uniform dimension that I liked it much better as an accent mark, and in a way, I found a certain joy in knowing that the origin of my accent mark came from an actual cross. I centered it between the headline and the top of the author list, and then again, but smaller to both sides of the secondary category of "YOUNG ADULT AUTHORS" lower on the bookcard.

I set each accent mark to be semi-translucent so that the stone texture behind it would show through to give the impression that the mark was part of the stonework as well. I even liked the fortuitous placement of the word "YOUNG" on the wall, where lighter tiles perfectly framed and brought attention it.

The coincidence that these few lighter tiles might have been destined to highlight that single word could cause the faithful among us to say "it was written."

For me, however, the combination of an arch that perfectly framed the text and fit the bookcard shape too, plus was a richly detailed but also a noncompetitive background for reading text on really made my day.

Back side of 8.5x11 page fits three 3.5x8.5 inch bookmarks or "bookcards."