Where to book hunt in Amsterdam, a playground for contemporary book design

Beyond its iconic canals and majestic painters, Amsterdam has proven to be a vital city for book design. The Dutch capital has a longstanding culture of experimental publishing, provo* printing, and forward-thinking design – solidifying its status as headquarters for (aspiring) book professionals as well as book lovers.

With a rich history of pioneering innovative printed matter, The Netherlands is known for elevating book design to the realm of fine art. Throughout various professions, the dedication to the craft manifests itself in a great eye for detail, strong conceptual foundations, and a colourful and experimental approach which shows a deep understanding of the specialty of bookmaking. Amsterdam, which has often been at the core of this movement, appears to be a magnet for designers, printers, publishers, and all enthusiasts that are eager to challenge the conventional boundaries of the book – both as an object and a medium.

(* ‘Provo’ was a Dutch counterculture movement in the mid-1960s that focused on provoking responses from authorities using non-violent bait such as anarchist manifestos, pamphlets and magazines.)

A celebration of form and concept: exhibitions and fairs

Amsterdam’s dedication to the art of the book is also very much alive at its art institutions. The Stedelijk Museum, a beacon of modern and contemporary art and design, is the host of the prestigious Best Dutch Book Designs exhibition every year. This showcase presents the most exceptional examples of experimental book design from the Netherlands, highlighting groundbreaking achievements in typography, spatial layout, and material and conceptual innovation. It is a must-see for anyone that is looking to explore cutting-edge designs of contemporary practitioners.

For those who are more keen to browse the latest releases and explore independent publishing practices, the Unseen Book Market – a highlight of the annual Unseen Amsterdam Photography Fair – is a true treasure trove. This vibrant market brings together independent publishers and artists, presenting limited edition books, artist publications, and photo books that often overturn traditional design conventions. Experimentation and free artistic expression is at the core of all contributions – expect to encounter makers that are paving the way forward!

Curated spaces: independent art bookstores

Next to these temporary events, Amsterdam consists of a constellation of independent bookstores that each are known for their personally curated selection. These independent booksellers and publishers offer a great platform where makers can directly share their works, so that visitors can encounter one of a kind, collectible works and unique publications. Just to name a few:

• San Seriffe (Sint Annenstraat 30), tucked away in the busy Red Light District, is a bookshop and project space that nurtures a unique platform where the art and the independent publishing scene meet. Next to the bookshop and program, they also publish titles themselves.
• Enter Enter (Nieuwe Herengracht 11) is an exhibition/event space that is dedicated to “the art of the book”. It is hosted by the Amsterdam-based publisher Roma Publications in collaboration with Fw:Books and Premiss, and together they aim to offer a platform for critical engagement with contemporary art and publishing.
• Athenaeum Bookstore and News centre, is located at Spui, in the city centre of Amsterdam. This location is known as a “palace of printed paper” with an extensive collection of Dutch and international literature, politics and art books. Its News Centre is a haven for magazine lovers, offering a wide array of international titles.
• Architectura & Natura (Leliegracht 22h) is nestled in the Jordaan district and a truly unique bookstore and distributor that has already been dedicated to architecture and urban design literature for over 75 years.
• Boekie Woekie (Geldersekade 39) is an artist-run space exclusively selling books created by artists, blurring the lines between art object and publication.

The visionaries of the page: Amsterdam’s influential book designers

Amsterdam has provided a fertile ground for some of the most influential book designers of our time. Irma Boom, a name synonymous with radical innovation and conceptual rigour, has fundamentally reshaped the field with her adventurous and intellectually driven approach. Alongside her own groundbreaking projects, Boom’s role as an educator has been instrumental in shaping the future of book design.

Building upon this legacy, a dynamic community of designers continue to push the boundaries of the discipline. To spotlight some Amsterdam-based designers; Joost Grootens, celebrated for his meticulous information design and cartographic approaches; Esther de Vries, known for her refined typography and conceptual clarity; Rudy Guedj, recognised for his sophisticated and often playful designs; Haller Brun and Bart de Baets, lauded for their rigorous craftsmanship and conceptual depth; and Experimental Jetset, renowned for its radical and impactful typographic intervention. Together, they are part of the movement that pioneers inventive book design and contributes to the city’s international reputation as a design capital.

Printers in their prime: the masters of ink and paper

The quality of Amsterdam’s book design is inextricably linked to the skilled and unwavering dedication of its printing houses. For example Robstolk, a legendary printing institution, which is renowned for its meticulous attention to detail and understanding of complex printing processes. Acclaimed designers and artists put their faith in the team of Robstolk to translate their intricate visions into tangible realities. A team that complements this expertise is the innovative and bold printing studio – a historically significant provo printer – Raddraaier. Next to that, numerous Risograph and screen-printing studios like Terry Bleu and Studio The Future, offer a hands-on attitude and always leave room for experimentation.

Closer Look

Edwin highlights other ways to immerse yourself in Amsterdam’s book scene.

• The Mondriaan Fund provides a grant that is intended for artist publications that provide reflection on their work, show visual results of artistic research, or help to create an emerging artist’s first publication to increase their (inter)national visibility. Multiple design grants of the Creative Industries Fund are also geared towards stimulating talent development.

• As an internationally renowned art library, the Rijksmuseum Research Library draws crowds who are researching the art of print or seeking historical context. As it was founded in 1885, it’s the most prestigious and oldest art history library of the country. The library has acquired and collected a wide range of books, periodicals, annual reports, and exhibition, auction, trade, and collection catalogues directly related to the museum’s history and art collection. The wide variety of materials weave a rich tapestry of visual and textual information for design historians, researchers, and anyone who’s curious to understand the evolution of art and its representation in print.

• Several museum bookstores are also good stops to add to your list: the bookshop of the Stedelijk Museum (run by Walther Koenig Books), Huis Marseille, and Foam. Here you’ll find thoughtfully curated selections that complement the books on the museum’s collections and current and past exhibitions.