This seminar examines the book as a spatial object—one that extends far beyond its physical dimensions. Drawing on cultural and media-theoretical approaches, we will consider how books organize and generate space: through pages and spreads, through typographic arrangements, through sequencing and material structure, and through the imaginative spaces opened by reading itself.

Sessions will alternate between collective discussions, short presentations, and close observation of book design examples. Guided by Carlos Spoerhase’s essay Linie, Fläche, Raum: Die drei Dimensionen des Buches in der Diskussion der Gegenwart und der Moderne as a conceptual thread, we will look at how different thinkers (listed below) have approached the spatial logic of books, and how their ideas resonate in design practice today.

Rather than seeking a single definition of ‘book space,’ the seminar encourages students to explore different concepts of space and their implications for the book as a medium. Students will be invited to relate these insights to their own work, whether through reflective notes, small exercises, or the analysis of existing books.

By the end of the seminar, students will have:

• Developed an understanding of key spatial concepts relevant to book form, including line, surface, sequence, and volume.
• Gained familiarity with theoretical approaches from cultural and media studies that explore how books organize and produce space.
• Strengthened their ability to connect conceptual insights to design practice, especially in relation to typography, layout, and editorial decisions.
• Practiced articulating observations through short presentations and exercises, refining both analytical and communicative skills.
• Collected a set of analyses and short design reflections that may support future book design projects or research work.