The system behind its multi-format design sets new standards for textbook production. Its sheer size is unusual for multi-format publishing: it contains over 500 000 words in over 1200 printed pages, over 1300 images (including over 500 interactive slides) and 230 interactive questions.

To produce this huge book in under ten months – from copy-editing to print-ready pages and a live website edition – we used our open-source Electric Book workflow. This workflow lets multiple editors and designers work on the book simultaneously, editing version-controlled, single-master content files, and seeing their changes instantly in both print and screen versions.

The page design is simple and flexible, accommodating multiple in-text and sidebar elements across the pages, while maintaining a strong visual identity throughout the book. It includes graphic details that make the content more engaging and easier to interact with. Working with the CORE team, we used colour keys to help teachers and students connect content in the book. Then, working from hundreds of visual and data-based source files, I created over 560 figures. Since many of these figures are animated with filmstrip-like images, I created over 1300 full-colour images.

The website edition of the book makes more than the print-edition can of the digital platform: embedded video, interactive, self-marking questions, animated figures, and popup references and definitions. The website is mobile friendly, accessible, and can be easily and conveniently used as an open educational resource.

Read more about this project in the case study on Electric Book Works