Abstract
Book design is a form of graphic design, in constant transformation, in relation with the printing techniques. Our research focuses on the changes of book design in Japan, and refers to the relation with the development of printing, binding and paper techniques. By bringing into sharp relief the influence of printing techniques on book design, our research will attempt to contribute to a better understanding of bookbinding as well as graphic design and communication design in its whole. The structure and conception of the Japanese book has transformed a great deal, especially with the introduction of western techniques. The revolution of the book-making at the beginning of the Meiji Era, when these techniques were introduced, still has a strong influence on today's book design. This essay, as the first report of a continuous research, deals with the Meiji Era. We have divided the Meiji Era in three periods in order to define the tendency of the methods and process of the Japanese book design to evolve toward the western book design.
