Diploma Programs
The American Academy of Bookbinding offers two diploma programs:
The Fine Binding Program
The Fine Binding Program concentrates on bindings as fine art and prepares students for making one-of-a-kind bindings ready for competition. Students will learn to produce unique design bindings. At all levels of the program, emphasis is placed on excellent hand skills, design choice, and overall quality of work. Program Guidelines
Program Director: Don Glaister
Diploma Graduates
The Comprehensive Binding Program
The Comprehensive Binding Program specializes in aspects of the conservation and restoration of books, along with established practices for edition binding. Students will develop a firm base of knowledge and skills required to operate a bindery, including traditional and historical binding methods, conservation and restoration, edition binding, and studio management. Program Guidelines.
Program Director: Peter Geraty
Diploma Graduates
Preparing to Join the Diploma Program
Students can apply for the diploma program of their choice after attending the four core courses at AAB:
- Introduction to Bookbinding Level 1
- Introduction to Bookbinding Level 2
- Fundamentals of Traditional Leather Binding
- Fundamentals of Fine Leather Binding
Students who come to the program with experience can test out of the two intro-level courses through a portfolio review.
Both fundamentals courses are required before a diploma path is chosen.
Diploma Program Coursework and Projects
Since students will enter their chosen program with varying levels of experience, each will have slightly different diploma requirements. Students will have the opportunity to meet with their Program Director throughout the year to discuss their current work and determine the next steps toward fulfilling the diploma requirements.
In addition to the required coursework, students enrolled in the diploma program will need to complete ten bindings at home, independently in their own studio. These homework assignments ensure that each diploma student can independently complete projects at a professional level.
Diploma Program Final Year
Upon completing the diploma coursework and homework projects, and with the program director’s approval, the student will begin work on their diploma year projects. Experts in the field will then jury the diploma projects, and successful candidates will graduate with an official diploma from the Academy. As students are expected to attend only a few weeks of courses at the Academy each year, the average time needed to complete all diploma requirements is four to six years.
Both diploma programs have overlapping courses. Whichever program a student chooses, they will have become exceptional bookbinders upon completion of their diploma.
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