Document class for designing a book

Question

Introduction

I've been using LaTeX for 15 years, but one year ago I started to write for the first time in my life a real book for students. So I followed usual widespread conviction: concentrate on the contents, the LaTeX will take care of the rest. However, this conviction holds only if you are writing a thesis or an article, where styling is largely unimportant (who reads theses anyway?).

Namely, after finishing my writing after one year of work I was into a real unpleasant surprise. I've received a modest lump of money to find a designer for a book. There is a big pool of good book designers out there, but not one has ever wrote a command in LaTeX. Which in fact means one year of intensive work shall be retyped in some other LaTeX incompatible program, figures shall be rescaled together with fonts... and everything I was so damn careful for over a year will be messed up in a second...

Question

Is it possible for a non-professional semi-experienced LaTeX user to implement design ideas to the document himself and save his precious work? Which document class should s/he start with?

To demonstrate poor performance of standard LaTeX classes for book design, I will show you part of the code written using KOMA-Script scrbook and approximate proposition from the designer.

Minimum working example:

\documentclass[12pt,parskip]{scrbook}
\usepackage[cp1250]{inputenc}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage{lmodern}
\usepackage{amsmath}

\input{slike_1} % TikZ pictures

\begin{document}

\textit{Enakomerno večdimenzionalno gibanje} označuje gibanje, pri katerem je vektor hitrosti konstanten.  Gibanje tem primeru opisuje enačba, ki je posplošitev enačbe~(...)
%
\begin{equation}
\vec{r} = \vec{v} t + \vec{r}_0,\label{k-umm}
\end{equation}
%
kjer $\vec{r}$ označuje trenutni, $\vec{r}_0$ pa začetni položaj telesa.  Vektorju $\text{r}$, ki označuje položaj telesa, pravimo tudi \textit{krajevni vektor}.

\textit{Enakomerno pospešeno večdimenzionalno gibanje} označuje gibanje, pri katerem je vektor pospeška~$\vec{a}$ konstanten.  Gibanje v tem primeru opisujejo enačbe, ki so posplošitve enačb~(...)
%
\begin{align}
\vec{r} &= \tfrac{1}{2} \vec{a} t^2 + \vec{v}_0 t + \vec{r}_0\label{k-uamm1}\\
\vec{v} &= \vec{a} t + \vec{v}_0 \label{k-uamm2}\\
v^2 &= v_0^2 + 2 \vec{a} \cdot (\vec{r} - \vec{r}_0) \label{k-uamm3}
\end{align}
%
kjer so $\vec{r}$ trenutni in $\vec{r}_0$ začetni krajevni vektor telesa, ter $\vec{v}$ trenutni in $\vec{v}_0$ začetni vektor hitrosti telesa.  Pri tem je tretja enačba izpeljana iz prvih dveh.

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
\Tpro
\caption{Poševni met}
\end{figure}

Če se telo nahaja v bližini Zemeljske površine, nanj deluje konstantni pospešek prostega pada $g = 10$~m/s$^2$ navpično navzdol.  Vsako tako gibanje telesa je dejansko \textit{dvo}-dimenzionalno, saj se telo giblje po navpični ravnini.  Po dogovoru $y$~os usmerimo navpično navzgor, torej nasproti smeri pospeška prostega pada ($\vec{a} = - g \vec{j}$), $x$~os pa tako, da začetna hitrost leži v $xy$ ravnini $\vec{v}_0 = v_{x0} \vec{i} + v_{y0} \vec{j}$.  Potem lahko vsako od enačb~(...) razstavimo na \textit{dve} skalarni enačbi in dobimo
%
\begin{align}
x(t) &= v_{x0} t + x_0, \label{k-prsx}\\
y(t) &= -\tfrac{1}{2} g t^2 + v_{y0} t + y_0, \label{k-prsy}\\
v_x(t) &= v_{x0}, \label{k-prvx}\\
v_y(t) &= -g t + v_{y0}. \label{k-prvy}
\end{align} 

Pri tem smo upoštevali, da je pospešek v $x$~smeri enak $a_x = 0$, pospešek v $y$~smeri pa $a_y = -g$, kar pomeni, da imamo v $x$~smeri enakomerno gibanje, v $y$~smeri pa enakomerno pospešeno gibanje.

\end{document}

Result of MWE

I think you agree with me this is totally unacceptable for a real book. The text is just too crowded, it gives 80-90 characters (including spaces) or 70-80 characters per line, and cca. 44 lines per page. I must agree with designers, this is just too crowded and unattractive for a university-freshman learning book.

Here is one of possible book designs:

EDIT: Since PGFTricks provided a bounty, I provide here the code for the picture, so you can test your ideas. It is scalable, \lmet provides the size of picture, \lms the lengths of vectors.

\tikzset{avec/.style = {->,green!75!black,line width=\wvec}}                 % acceleration vector style
\tikzset{vvec/.style = {->,red,line width=\wvec}}                            % velocity vec tor style
\tikzset{vlin/.style = {red}}                                                % velocity vector style

\newcommand{\rang}[3]{
\begin{scope}[shift={#1},rotate=#2]
\draw[#3] (5pt,0) -- (5pt,5pt) -- (0,5pt);
\end{scope}} 

\newcommand\Tpro{
\begin{tikzpicture}[>=stealth,auto]
\def\lms{0.005cm}
\def\lmet{0.0007cm}

\draw[->,very thin] (-500*\lmet,0) -- (13000*\lmet,0) node[right] {$\scriptstyle x$};
\draw[->,very thin] (0,-500*\lmet) -- (0,5000*\lmet) node[above] {$\scriptstyle y$};
\draw[very thin] (500*\lmet,0) arc (0:60:500*\lmet);
\node at +(30:500*\lmet+8pt) {$\alpha$};

\draw[vvec] (0,0) -- +(60:360*\lms) node[midway] {$\vec{v}_0$};
\draw[vlin] (0,0) -- +(180*\lms,0) node[midway,swap] {$v_{x0}$} -- +(60:360*\lms) node[midway,swap] {$v_{y0}$};
\rang{(180*\lms,0)}{90}{vlin}; 
\draw[vvec] (2372*\lmet,3240*\lmet) -- +(180*\lms,180*\lms) node[midway] {$\vec{v}_1$};
\draw[vlin] (2372*\lmet,3240*\lmet) -- ++(180*\lms,0) node[midway,swap] {$v_{x1}$} -- ++(0,180*\lms) node[midway,swap] {$v_{y1}$};
\rang{(2372*\lmet+180*\lms,3240*\lmet)}{90}{vlin};
\draw[vvec] (5612*\lmet,4860*\lmet) -- +(180*\lms,0) node[midway] {$\vec{v}_2$};
\draw[vvec] (8852*\lmet,3240*\lmet) -- +(180*\lms,-180*\lms) node[midway,swap] {$\vec{v}_3$};
\draw[vlin] (8852*\lmet,3240*\lmet) -- ++(180*\lms,0) node[midway] {$v_{x3}$} -- ++(0,-180*\lms) node[midway] {$v_{y3}$};
\rang{(8852*\lmet+180*\lms,3240*\lmet)}{180}{vlin};
\draw[vvec] (11224*\lmet,0) -- +(-60:360*\lms) node[midway,swap] {$\vec{v}_4$};
\draw[vlin] (11224*\lmet,0) -- +(180*\lms,0) node[midway] {$v_{x4}$} -- +(-60:360*\lms) node[midway] {$v_{y4}$};
\rang{(11224*\lmet+180*\lms,0)}{180}{vlin};
\draw[avec] (5612*\lmet,2430*\lmet) -- +(0,-180*\lms) node[midway] {$\vec{a}$};

\draw[densely dashed] (0,0) parabola bend (5612*\lmet,4860*\lmet) (11224*\lmet,0);

\filldraw[thick,fill=white] (0,0) circle (100*\lmet);
\filldraw[thick,fill=white] (2372*\lmet,3240*\lmet) circle (100*\lmet);
\filldraw[thick,fill=white] (5612*\lmet,4860*\lmet) circle (100*\lmet);
\filldraw[thick,fill=white] (8852*\lmet,3240*\lmet) circle (100*\lmet);
\filldraw[thick,fill=white] (11224*\lmet,0) circle (100*\lmet);

\end{tikzpicture}}

Answer 1

We will help you to realise the design. I've got zero experience with equations, but I bet somebody will help you, if you just show a design and ask.

KOMA-script comes with a long manual, in English and German. I took me five minutes to develop the first solution (Linux Libertine has to be replaced by the fonts you like) and quite some time and a little help (see comments below) to develop this solution:

\documentclass[12pt,parskip=half, DIV=calc, BCOR=10mm, x11names]{scrbook}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage{lmodern, libertine}
\usepackage{amsmath, xcolor, tcolorbox, empheq}
\usepackage[ilines, headsepline]{scrpage2}
\setheadwidth[0pt]{textwithmarginpar}

%\input{slike_1} % TikZ pictures
\clearscrheadfoot
\ihead{\headmark}
\ohead{\pagemark}

\setcounter{page}{3}

\addtokomafont{pagenumber}{\bfseries\Large\color{LightBlue4}}
\addtokomafont{pagehead}{\color{LightBlue4}}

\renewcommand{\textit}[1]{\textcolor{LightBlue4}{\emph{#1}}}
%\tcbuselibrary{skins,breakable}
\tcbuselibrary{theorems}
\tcbset{colback=blue!60!green!10!white,
  colframe=LightBlue4!50!black, ams nodisplayskip}



\begin{document}

\pagestyle{scrheadings}

\section{Zbirka vaj fizike za studente gradbenistva}
\label{sec:zbirka-vaj-fizike}


\textit{Enakomerno večdimenzionalno gibanje} označuje gibanje, pri katerem je vektor hitrosti konstanten.  Gibanje tem primeru opisuje enačba, ki je posplošitev enačbe~(...)
%

\begin{equation}
   \tcboxmath{\vec{r} = \vec{v} t + \vec{r}_0,\label{k-umm}}
  \end{equation}


%
kjer $\vec{r}$ označuje trenutni, $\vec{r}_0$ pa začetni položaj telesa.  Vektorju $\text{r}$, ki označuje položaj telesa, pravimo tudi \textit{krajevni vektor}.

\textit{Enakomerno pospešeno večdimenzionalno gibanje} označuje gibanje, pri katerem je vektor pospeška~$\vec{a}$ konstanten.  Gibanje v tem primeru opisujejo enačbe, ki so posplošitve enačb~(...)
%

\begin{empheq}[box={\tcbhighmath[colback=blue!60!green!10!white,
  colframe=LightBlue4!50!black]}]{align}
  \vec{r} &= \tfrac{1}{2} \vec{a} t^2 + \vec{v}_0 t + \vec{r}_0\label{k-uamm1}\\
  \vec{v} &= \vec{a} t + \vec{v}_0 \label{k-uamm2}\\
  v^2 &= v_0^2 + 2 \vec{a} \cdot (\vec{r} - \vec{r}_0) \label{k-uamm3}
\end{empheq}


%
kjer so $\vec{r}$ trenutni in $\vec{r}_0$ začetni krajevni vektor telesa, ter $\vec{v}$ trenutni in $\vec{v}_0$ začetni vektor hitrosti telesa.  Pri tem je tretja enačba izpeljana iz prvih dveh.

\begin{figure}[!ht]
\centering
%\Tpro
\caption{Poševni met}
\end{figure}

Če se telo nahaja v bližini Zemeljske površine, nanj deluje konstantni pospešek prostega pada $g = 10$~m/s$^2$ navpično navzdol.  Vsako tako gibanje telesa je dejansko \textit{dvo}-dimenzionalno, saj se telo giblje po navpični ravnini.  Po dogovoru $y$~os usmerimo navpično navzgor, torej nasproti smeri pospeška prostega pada ($\vec{a} = - g \vec{j}$), $x$~os pa tako, da začetna hitrost leži v $xy$ ravnini $\vec{v}_0 = v_{x0} \vec{i} + v_{y0} \vec{j}$.  Potem lahko vsako od enačb~(...) razstavimo na \textit{dve} skalarni enačbi in dobimo
%

\begin{empheq}[box={\tcbhighmath[colback=blue!60!green!10!white,
  colframe=LightBlue4!50!black]}]{align}
    x(t) &= v_{x0} t + x_0, \label{k-prsx}\\
    y(t) &= -\tfrac{1}{2} g t^2 + v_{y0} t + y_0, \label{k-prsy}\\
    v_x(t) &= v_{x0}, \label{k-prvx}\\
    v_y(t) &= -g t + v_{y0}. \label{k-prvy}
  \end{empheq}



Pri tem smo upoštevali, da je pospešek v $x$~smeri enak $a_x = 0$, pospešek v $y$~smeri pa $a_y = -g$, kar pomeni, da imamo v $x$~smeri enakomerno gibanje, v $y$~smeri pa enakomerno pospešeno gibanje.

\end{document}

The figure is missing, because you did not provide it. I took for the purpose of demonstration you headings.

Hey, use KOMA-script, study the manual and find a solution for displaying your formulas and you will have your book in very short time!

Answer 2

Your questions is currently not really answerable. So this is more a "meta answer" regarding your key point:

The point is: I can get a designer, which will tell me what s/he wants, margins, fonts, frames, etc. The question is, (a) can an average LaTeX user like me do that and (b) which class to start with?

I am convinced, the answers are (a) "Yes, with some help from this community", and (b) "start with the class you are currently using".

Get that designer and her specifications. Break them down into smaller chunks, prepare a minimal working example of your book and than ask dedicated questions for each aspect to implement, such as:

• "How to get Tufte-like margins with the KOMA book class?"
• "Which package should I use for framed theorems?"

and so on, each of it with the respective specifications of your designer. I am more than convinced that your questions will be answered.

Regarding the class: The KOMA book class is one of the most flexible and well-designed LaTeX classes, so it probably is a good starter anyway. The main point, however, is that you are already using it. Before investing time in trying other classes, just get that specifications clear and seek for help where necessary.

Answer 3

Too long for an comment:

Your question is not answerable in my opionion.

Your "MWE" shows no example page (only one line "Text ..."), you didn't include an picture to show your case.

If class tufte supports your wished margin, a try could be to locate that code and change it to be useable in KOMA-Script. Or to change tufte class to fit your wished. But you didn't tell us what is "unlikeable" with tufte, so we can't help you here.

A real MWE could be:

\documentclass[
  fontsize=12pt
 ,DIV=7          % bigger margins
 ,parskip        % space between parapraphs
]{scrbook}

\usepackage{blindtext} % creates Blindtext/document
\usepackage{showframe} % shows typing area and margins

\begin{document}

\Blindtext

\end{document}

resulting in two pages, using package blindtext to generate blindtext.

That could be a start to create an own MWE showing us your problem.

Answer 4

One place to find someone to implement a design is the TUG Consultants page.

Answer 5

Springer prepared templates for its authors. The one for monographs is called svmono and is available here.

You might want to get information on potential copyright issues, adapt it to your liking, or use it for inspiration. It is, I think, comparatively well documented and thoroughly thought through.

Additionally, compared to a lot of templates for monographs in the LATEX-world the style follows a rather professional audience-oriented design philosophy. It doesn't employ a wealth of typefaces, font-sizes, colors, frames, indents, etc. In my opinion, this is the preferable way to design book interiors if they are meant for (semi-) continuous reading by a (semi-) professional audience. As nicely summarized in a post on typophile by a university press-focused book designer one can basically think of two "approaches" when it comes to designing pages in a book. One is to concentrate on integrating heterogeneous elements (math, graphs, tables, notes, various kinds of footer and header content, levels of headings, body text, etc.) into the page and the other is emphasizing their heterogeneity (think of designing a book for children or one for discontinuous reading).

Said book designer, by the way, seems to work with a proprietary adaptation of TEX.

Answer 6

There are many templates out there (e.g.). What I'd do is:

1. search for a bunch of templates
2. check what bits and pieces I like from each one
3. choose the one that is most similar to what I want, copy it, this is my template now
4. combine the parts I like from the other templates into my template
5. for the specific aspects that are missing and I found no examples, Google and then ask here

There is also a faster path, wrt: "There is a big pool of good book designers out there, but not one has ever wrote a command in LaTeX", what you could do is:

1. find one
2. rejoice

There have to be some freelance programmers out there that can do something that looks nice on LaTeX, the world is full of people and the language doesn't really matter because you will be providing the contents.

Answer 7

Your question is:

Is it possible for a non-professional semi-experienced LaTeX user to implement design ideas to the document himself and save his precious work? Which document class should s/he start with?

LaTeX is technically capable of duplicating the sample you provided from the book designer. Whether you'll be able to implement the design seems to depend mostly on how much time you can invest in the process (which we don't know).

In my experience, it is possible to duplicate very colorful, attractive templates (e.g., created with inDesign) in LaTeX as a semi-professional. It requires having a clearly specified template file (e.g., you want to know all the RGB values of the colors used, the fonts, the distances [e.g., for margins], the leading, etc.). And then it's a matter of taking each element in turn and implementing it in your template.

In terms of putting you on the right path, I recommend to use the memoir class, which comes with a lengthy and detailed manual. This manual steps through most of the points that you will need to implement for a book design (e.g., title page, front matter, margins, headings, margin notes, etc.). It's all there, and it tells you how to implement each of these using the memoir class. In addition, the author of that package has produced a supplementary book on book design principles in general. You might not need to get into this supplementary book however, since someone else will be handing you the book design. Still, it might help you know what needs to be covered in the book design that you commission.

In the unfortunate case that you won't be able to implement the template yourself and can't hire someone else to do it for you, I recommend to look into a tool called pandoc. Pandoc is a command line tool that converts documents to different formats including LaTeX. You could run pandoc on your LaTeX file and generate a plain text file with the contents. This would at least be an efficient way to get your text extracted from all the LaTeX formatting commands that it's currently sitting in. Then, I assume you would hand it over for typesetting in InDesign or something similar.

There are a few other posts on Stack Exchange that are relevant, but since this is a new account, I can't include any more links in this response. I recommend to search the site for "book design" and review the results.