Publishing: So What’s Next?

“Unquestionably hip and metropolitan... overnight, the company has transformed itself from an interesting start-up to a serious player and one that understands the rules of the game.”

I’m personally very intrigued by the digital on-demand printing model. As such, I’ve embarked on an experiment of publishing one of my previous design efforts into a variety of digital on-demand formats (and price points). I’m doing so in order to begin understanding this phenomenon first hand, from the user side, so I can learn and experience the nuances, vernacular and experience the end product. Upon completion, I intend to share what I’ve learned with colleagues in a larger, more comprehensive and ongoing conversation.

In the process of all this, I’ve identified a publisher who I have my eye on. They’re called “The Friday Project.” They’re not an on-demand model, but a completely new breed of publishing house, dedicated to combining everything that’s great about traditional book publishing with the limitless possibilities offered by the Internet and emerging technologies.

Though I can’t speak specifically to their business model and/or profitability, I do generally admire them for the uniqueness of their effort(s), and the foresight and fitness that must be required of such a venture. I will post more about digital on-demand printing in the future.