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BOOK DESIGNER JEFFREY HASTE

Designer, Printer, Bookbinder

Books have always been an important part of my life of learning. As a visual artist I used sketchbooks all the time. Around 1980 I started teaching my self bookbinding in order to make my own sketch books, make artistsÕ books, and learn about early forms of the book in history.

I received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1974, and an MFA in 1984 from the Institute for the Book Arts, Graduate School, University of Alabama.

While visiting the Third and Elm Press in RI, I found out about a seminar in Book Arts, began studies at the Graduate School of Library Service in Alabama and helped implement the MFA program at the Institute for the Book Arts with Gabriel Rummonds. Through their seminars and classes I worked with people like Jack Stauffacher, Claire Van Vliet, Fritz and Trudi Eberhardt, Tim Barrett, Steve Miller, and others. Not only did I learn the aspects of book making, print and bind limited editions for the school, I took core MLS classes such as book design, history of printing and publishing, and descriptive bibliography.

Since that time I have worked with a variety of clients including photographers, ad agencies, book collectors, galleries, and museums. I still make books by hand doing fine binding and limited editions, and am still a visual artist making images. Over the years I have gained experience in photography, printmaking, offset lithography and plate making, and have been a pressman. As a designer I think all my experience is important. Books have become my life, I love books and I love book design.

Knowledge of design & production

I have a good understanding of offset litho and digital printing. Still, I believe that though letterpress is history now, it seems fundamental to book design. And I acknowledge photography and all things digital bring new riches to design as well.

Bookbinding has another fundamental, the grain of materials is what makes a book work.

Experience in different areas of the field taught me that planning and communication are key to a successful project.

Many possibilities are available to us because of technology, nonetheless, the book form and style can be treated with high regard conceptually, and with integrity to the manuscript. A book design project can be rewarding, and a lot of fun, when the outcome is a beautiful book.

EARNED DEGREES & AWARDS

Maine Chapbook Design and publishing Award. 1994

ME Arts Commission Chapbook design and publishing Award. 1992

New England Foundation for the Arts grant for Insular Harmonies, a collaboration with Rebecca Goodale and Dennis Gilbert. 1990

MFA, University of Alabama Graduate School. 1984

McClellan Book Arts Award, U of A GSLS. 1982

BFA, The Rhode Island School of Design. 1974

Graduating Honors RISD. 1974

Scholastic Art Award, Commercial Design. 1965

SOME CLIENTS

The Marlborough Gallery, NY & The Vinalhaven Press.

Neal Rolde & editors, York, Maine, Historical Society

Holt Hughes & Stamell Ad Agency

Richard Wilson & John Hultberg

Portland Public Library

ME State Library

ME Historical Society

Museum of Art, Bowdoin College

Big Bridge Press

Jim Mundy, Harp Publications, ME

AT&T / Nynex

(Portland School of Art) ME College of Art

University of Alabama Development Office

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

American Craft Museum

LA County Museum

Cooper Hewitt Museum

New York Public Library

ÊMaine State Library

Jack Lenor Larsen, Larsen Inc., New York

Portland Rm., Portland Public Library, ME

Jim Mundy, Harp Publications, ME

Thomas Woodward Thomsem, ME Book Antiquarian