IDEA #397 is largely dedicated to global art book fairs and features reviews of contemporary art book fairs around the world, accompanied by essays by publishers/bookshop owners Draw Down Books (USA) and Book Society (KR).

This issue also features 3 separate insert booklets printed using a dazzling array of spot colors, metallic inks, and special paper stocks. Two of the inserts are devoted to the Tokyo edition of the exhibition “Which Mirror Do You Want to Lick?” curated by ABAKE, Radim Pesko, and Sofie Dederen with a conversation with Jon Sueda included.

IDEA #397 also features the first of a four-part series of features about the role of critique in design education by Ian Lynam.

Book fairs and book-related events covered in this timely issue include the Shanghai Art Book Fair, the Vancouver Art Book Fair, the Kusashiki Taipei Art Book Fair, FOCAL POINT, the Singapore Art Book Fair, the Bangkok Art Book Fair, the Bergen Art Book Fair, and the Sitterwerk Catalogue.

IDEA is Japan's leading graphic design magazine. Each issue offers insight into international and Japanese designers and their work through historical analysis, criticism, and examples of projects. In print since 1953, IDEA is a critical forum for design criticism in Asia. 

Designed by Kensaku Kato and Megumi Moriya (LABORATORIES)

Published by Seibundo Shinkosha Co., Ltd., 2022

Bilingual, in Japanese and English

Softcover, 168 pages, 8.9 × 11.75 inches