Gutter
A gutter is the inside margin or blank space between two pages in a book, magazine, or other printed material where the pages are bound together. For book illustrators and designers, understanding gutter space is crucial because artwork or text placed too close to the gutter might get lost in the binding or be hard to see. Think of it like a safety zone in the middle of an open book that needs to be considered when creating artwork or laying out pages.
Examples in Resumes
Designed children's book illustrations with proper gutter allowance for optimal viewing
Adjusted artwork placement to accommodate gutter margins in a 200-page art book
Created double-page spreads while maintaining gutter spacing guidelines
Typical job title: "Book Illustrators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Book Illustrators
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle gutter considerations in complex double-page spread illustrations?
Expected Answer: A senior illustrator should discuss planning for binding methods, creating safety margins, and ensuring important elements don't get lost in the gutter. They should mention experience with different book sizes and binding types.
Q: How do you train junior designers about gutter space management?
Expected Answer: Should explain teaching methods for helping new designers understand margin requirements, demonstrate examples of successful and problematic layouts, and share best practices for different publication types.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you adapt your illustrations for different binding methods considering gutter space?
Expected Answer: Should explain understanding of how different binding methods (perfect binding, saddle stitch, etc.) affect gutter space requirements and how to adjust artwork accordingly.
Q: What's your process for planning artwork that crosses the gutter?
Expected Answer: Should discuss how they plan illustrations that span across two pages, considering binding impact and ensuring crucial elements aren't placed in the gutter area.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is a gutter margin and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic understanding of what a gutter is, why it's needed in book design, and how it affects illustration placement.
Q: How much gutter space do you typically leave in your designs?
Expected Answer: Should know standard gutter measurements for basic book types and understand that different binding methods require different gutter allowances.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of page margins and gutters
- Simple single-page illustrations
- Knowledge of standard book sizes
- Basic digital layout skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex double-page spread design
- Understanding of different binding methods
- Advanced layout planning
- Print production knowledge
Senior (5+ years)
- Expert knowledge of book construction
- Complex illustration planning across multiple pages
- Team leadership and training
- Problem-solving for difficult layout challenges
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic print terminology
- Unaware of standard margin requirements
- Portfolio shows artwork crossing into gutter areas inappropriately
- No experience with professional publishing projects
