FIELDTRIPS | CHRONICLE BOOKS

Throwback Thursday:
Where Do Your Ideas Come From? The Art of Publishing Books and Gifts.

Back in January, editors and former CM/SF speakers Christina Amini, Bridget Watson Payne, and Dena Rayess gave us a tour through Chronicle Books headquarters and share with us the art of making books. Here’s what you missed:

Chronicle Books is an independent publisher based in San Francisco that has been making things since 1967. Our tour started in on the ground floor – where the gift store is located. Moving up floor by floor, we saw so many aspects of the whole creative chain, from the design team to the marketing department. Books, covers, drawings and sparks of colors followed us along the walk.

On the top floor, Susan O’Malley’s wall is filled with her inspirational art work. Next to it, Chronicle’s newest mural “Seeing things Different” let us do exactly that: see things different.

Though we’ve all seen Christina, Bridget and Dena at CreativeMornings before, it was incredible to hear more about their role at the organization, as well as what it takes to publish Chronicle books and gifts. From ideation and collaboration, to launching it into the market, and serendipitous (or otherwise) hiccups along the way, can all lead to a successful paths to beautifully designed and thoughtfully built product.

Thanks to Christina, Bridget, Dena, and the rest of the Chronicle Books team for hosting and sharing all their wisdom with our community. You can find them in SOMA at 680 Second Street. All photos taken by Sana Maqsood. Check out more photos from the event on Flickr.