Beyond the frame: Nico James’s journey into book design for photography

Nico James was looking for a way to display photography beyond framed photos on a wall, and found it in book design. Nico's exploration of book design transformed not only how they displayed their photography but also how they connected with their audience, inviting them to engage with their art in a dynamic and personal way.

Growing up, Nico James was deeply interested in books and magazines. This love of design naturally led them to study graphic design in college. Alongside this, their passion for photography blossomed, and they began to explore the world through a lens. The combination of these interests laid the foundation for their art practice.

By utilizing the magazine-style format, Nico was able to tell longer stories and work with larger themes than displaying framed photos on a wall would allow. Photography, instead of being decoration in a room, becomes a long-form story that the viewer engages with at their own pace. Flipping through the pages, the viewer has their own, personal experience with the content.

As the on-demand printing industry matured, Nico saw the potential to distribute their art this way. No longer limited by the constraints of a traditional print run or warehouse logistics, they were able to deliver their books almost anywhere in the world. In addition to physical copies, Nico recognized the importance of digital distribution of art. Art that can be viewed on a phone can be accessed by anyone, anywhere in the world. This led to the development of Nico's online portal, viewable at jamesni.co.