The Publishing Lab is a really god resource for weird and wonderful textual treatments

The success of Visual Editions – whose latest offering Kapow! has been nominated in the graphics category of Designs of the Year – reflects an increasing interest in so-called “multimodal texts.” Using innovative design as part of the reading experience is nothing new, but seems to have taken on greater significance in a literary landscape at least in part defined by digital. A new blog from designer Alberto Hernandez and editor María Serrano is a brilliant reference for anyone interested in this field, showcasing interesting examples but also trying to explain their contemporary relevance.

First founded in 2011, its founders describe The Publishing Laboratory as, " part experimental laboratory, part investigators agency and part amusement park" and although there’s some chewy semiotic ideas involved, the site doesn’t take itself too seriously. “Our activity here at TPL is basically exploratory,” they say. “Our conclusions are provisional. Sometimes contradictory. Sometimes we don’t even conclude anything. We’re here to have fun.”

The smart money’s on this resource going from strength to strength.