404 - Studio Brief 2 - What is a book? STUDY TASK 6

What is a book?

Definition of a Book -

a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers.

a bound set of blank sheets for writing in.

For this study task we have to anaylse purpose, production and success of a range of publications that will then effect the design of our own publications. To do this i have decided to research book design and layout for the studio brief 2, this will give me in an idea of what type of book to produce, how imagery, layout and type is used in book design and how it effects the  success of the book to then apply this to my final out come. 

Existing Book Research 
As i have never created a book layout before, for this project i conducted research into existing book design via Pinterest and Behance. This was conducted to see how existing artist and designer add detail to their page design, the features that artist include to make their pages more balanced using text and imagery. How rules can be broken but how they are followed, seeing this will influence my designs as it will allow me to apply these techniques and rules to my work to enhance the design aspects of my pages when i create a my book.

Also looking into existing books will help me decide on a subject area for this project, get design inspiration for the content as well as the layout. The layout of this book is the focus of the project so selecting a subject that allows me control over the page design and fits with a concept will be the most effective.

Since the content is still undecided, for research a varied selection of book have been looked at. Book range for fashion look book to type help books, when a concept and idea have been selected more research will be conducted into how books of that style already are designed and how to make mine original.

Simple photo heavy book, this book using a grid system to alpine the text on both sides of the page adding detail to the simple yet organised layout. Each page is displayed in the same way to keep a consisting house style, fitting with the theme of a clear serious yet feminine book thats strict grid system highlights the seriousness. This book stick to a very clean grid that give the design an effortless effect as its very direct to read and understand. The alinement of the type is the same on every page reducing the need for the audience to look for type or the imagery that makes the book flow easier on the brain, this makes the images appear as a set rather than each being focus on as a individual object/image, breaking this layout would cause attention to be grabbed as it would cause the audience to stop. Its clear to from the layout that the focus of the pages (the imagery), this is because the designer has placed it at the top of the page which is the first place the audience will look to read any text and it takes up a larger percentage of the page that the text, white space is then added underneth to appear as break before the text, this separate the text and the imagery making them stand out as different elements on the page rather than a caption or linked information. The typeface used is a very thin natural font, that has curved letterform to imply a softer more feminine feel to the pages, this also makes the book seem casual even thought the text is capitals which sully invokes and angry/shouting implication. The text is clean, smooth and has a light feel because of the typefaces thin design, this doesn't distant from the imagery as its not bold, the reader can read it easily without any distancing features, the typeface has been elected to enhance the imagery not distract. 

curved typefaces are less harsh

consistent style make it sen like a set

having the alinement the same makes it effortless to read

busy imagery needs whitespace to seem less over powering

make the images the focus by using a minimal layout and typeface

purpose - the purpose of this book is to display a set of photography images about natural communication and it effects.

production - This book has bee produced and design to see very eco friendly, its peaceful and oranigised  to reflect this, there are no harsh/defining colour to reflect harmony and peace. 

 success - the layout and the colour scheme used for this book fulfills it purpose as it has the aimed effects on the audeince 

This book keeps a constsit design style the make it easier to read, all the text is kept in the same place   on every page so is the imagery to make the design seem more effortless to read, there is no text grabbing attention or being overly loud to fit with the calming style of the book. The theme of this book is calm and tranquil place to visit so the design reflect this by being very smooth and easy to read, the colour scheme is kept minimal, fonts are very curved and thin, busy imagery is balanced out with white space to reduce to loud content in them. This book shows how whitespace around imagers has a calming effect by balancing out the busy design. Each double page spread has a colour split to separate the text from the imagery but the grid system is used to aline up the text on the same levels with the photography to link it back together, the colour difference might just be add  interest to the otherwise simple design. This also allowed the tex to be white against bold colour background which stand out more than a coloured text on a white background, meaning the text is easier to see and read which fits with the calming design principles of the book.

use grid to link pages together 

white space balanced out busy images

have a theme for my design ( e.g. calming)

Here the artist using contrasting colour, bold text, clashing font styles, breaks design rules, has orphans and widows to grab attention from the audience. Each page in the book uses a different colour scheme and typeface over the simple gridded layout, this makes each page seem as an individual even with a underlaying grid system, breaking these rules makes the audience seem as if the book is almost shouting at them. Even thought each page is full and busy, it is balanced out but whitespace to make sure that there is just one main focal point which is the headline text. The pages use a headline font that is consistence thought the pages which is alined in the same place but the overlaps a different hand rendered typeface to add individuality, this break in the grid system grabs attention as it don't stick the pattern and make the audience engage more with the pages the design intents. This is a way to make the audience stop at selected pages for example section pages or where the designer wants. The way this book combines hand rendered with digital text isn't overpowering as the other parts of the page are empty, only two design elements are used on the busy pages to make sure the design isn't too much for the reader and to make sure they focus on the intent parts. The text is the focus so this is drawn attention to this via the size, thickness and whitespace around it, the rest of the deign in the book is very minimal to not distract. 

combine contrasting type styles but keep the rest simple

break rules to draw attention

pages being different colours sections them of as individual

keep the colour scheme dramatic but then the design simple

use white space to make it seem less busy

Studio Brief 2 - Information Design, Presentation

Studio Brief 2 - Information Design, Final Evaluation

_{Evaluation Information Design}

_{As of my last project I didn’t research the subject area I picked first to make sure it was suitable for this brief I investigated a larger amount into the TV licensing rules and how it works to check I could apply this information to a leaflet.  After research all the information that was available for the original online source as the video didn’t include` many different facts, the next step was to select a target audience as a first year university student myself I have had issues with tv licensing rule and understand it because of this I felt a leaflet that was aim at my age group is needed. This would influence the design, layout and tone of voice of the leaflet so I then research into how tv licensing is display currently to student as well as adverts that target student specially to allow me to see what appeal to the target market and how this is shown. This set a few rules for my designs I needed to make sure it would appeal to the target audience a follow steps to ensure this.}

_{In the last project I created 4 design ideas and developed all 4 to come to a fair conclusion about with to use but for this leaflet I need to leave myself more time to develop my ideas to make sure the final resolution is of a higher quality. So for this brief I created design sketch for the crit then mock up the most popular idea and had more time to develop this into a resolution I was happy with as a piece of design. The crit back influence my design decisions whilst giving me constant improvements to my leaflet, as the crit was with a group of student that where my target market this meant they were even more useful as they gave me direct primary feedback to my idea and how the audience perceived them. Having constantly crit of my work allowed me to get fresh options on my ideas and mock up as well as pointed out a lot of mistakes, which I could then change before my final outcome.}

_{Production and distribution, for the distribution of the leaflet it will be handed out at different fresher’s events and places that students will visit eg bars/club, along with in all halls of residents for universities across the country as this will make sure that every student who moves into a hall that’s needs a license has access to the leaflet and therefore the need information. As for the last brief I didn’t think about the production of the final resolution much for this one I have experimented with different stock choices when I create samples printed on different materials to make sure I selected the most suitable for the final outcome. the issues with printing was the final resolution where printed slightly off, the back and the front don’t line up this mean that cutting and shapes are slightly different , if this was a professional brief I would have gone to a different printed so it was done more professional in a way that would have lined up the designs perfectly.}

Studio Brief 2 - Information Design, Stock

STOCK

As this leaflet will take the form of  flyer the stock used in this met be very sturdy strong thick paper that can be mass produced, the leaflets will be sent out to every student in the Uk and also handed out at different events e.g. Fresher Fairs therefore they will need to be produced on a mass scale. Being produced on a mass scale means the stock met be strong but relatively cheap, because of this the stock investigated where first of all from GF SMITH as this company sells a range of colour and thickness relatively cheaply. I looked at different shades of white, different textures and different thickness to see which i felt was most appropriate.

First Samples -
(free sample pack)

Over all i felt he texture paper with different embossing wouldn't work as it would cause the colours in the leaflet to change slightly and didn't suit the modern contemporary style of my leaflet, the shades of brown in the cover added am aged effect but this contradicted my tone of voice.

GF SMITH - PLIKE WHITE 200 GSM

This bright white was more suitable the leaflet as it would allow the colour to be vivre and bright which fits with the ideology of the design to make it stand out and seem more modern as these styles are uses more in the current trends and in the existing adverts that appeal tot he target audience. This was the thinness sample i received as i wanted to see i the texture felt string enough to hold up the design but it seem very flopping and lose which would work for a more folded leaflet, as my is just a double sided flyer i feel a higher GSM will be more appropriate for this brief to make it more like the texture used in my primary research therefore the 330 GSM will be used instead.

GF SMITH - PLIKE WHITE 330 GSM

After selecting which stock to use for the final leaflet i order 4 A4 size sheets of the selected GF smith Plike white in 330gsm but realised as they didn't come 4 days before the deadline that i needed to get my work printed so i would have to use another stock available in uni, this stock is also cheaper for mass production and has different GSM and finishes, i created some experiments with my leaflet design before i printed the final leaflets to see how the stock work with my designs and how the colour reacts to the paper. 

-create samples before final print on different stock to see which works better

SAMPLES

ANTALIS OLIN DIGITAL REGULAR HIGH WHITE 200GSM (UNCOATED)

plain white slightly thick stock, would enhance colour and give the same finish as the research pieces aim at the same audience, mass produceable, cheap, matt finish

ANTALIS OLIN DIGITAL REGULAR HIGH WHITE 300GSM (UNCOATED)

plain white thick stock, would enhance colour and give the same finish as the research pieces aim at the same audience, mass produceable, slightly cheap, matt finish, gives design a more sturdy style that works well to make it sen more durable/less easily damaged

ANTALIS DIGTAL I PRINT SILK 300GSM (COATED)

plain white thick glossy stock, gloss finish enhances the look of the piece makes the colours more lively. fits with the idea of the leaflet being modern as it gives a compere tray fell because this style is used by more upperclass magazines, slightly more expensive but gives a better feel to the a paper. would stand out against the rest of the leaflet because of the unique feel due to the different finish, looks more professional because the over all feel is more 

Coated vs Uncoated 

'Coated paper has a glossy or matte finish. Coated paper is generally very smooth and can be either very shiny (high gloss) or have a subtle shine (matte). Either way, coated paper will have a great effect on the appearance and usefulness of the printed item. Coated paper is more resistant to dirt, moisture and wear. It also makes the printed material more shiny. That is why it is generally used in the printing of magazines, book covers, glossy photos and art books. Coating restricts the amount of ink that is absorbed by the paper and how the ink bleeds into the paper. This is desirable for sharp and complex images as the ink stays on top of the paper and will not wick or bleed reducing the sharpness of the printed material.'

-coated with make the colours stronger due to the lack of bleed

-created clearer image 

-stronger print

-more expensive

-associated with more professional ascetically pleasing graphic design 

-uses to add a more professional look

-more informal 

 'Uncoated Generally more absorbent of ink than a coated paper, like its namesake, uncoated paper does not have a coating. It is generally not as smooth as coated paper and tends to be more porous. Uncoated paper is generally used for letterhead, envelopes and printed material that is aiming for a more prestigious or elegant look. College and University booklets, real estate brochures and menus for elegant restaurants are generally printed on uncoated paper to give them a prestigious feel.'

-cheaper
-more like research
-more formal
-more serious

Overall the finish that fits the tone of voice more swell as the concepts of the design is the coated flossy stock, this is because its causes a stronger more clear print that fits with the theme of modern design because this is the most commonly uses stock in the new age. It also feels more informal yet professional due to the associations with existing products that use it e.g. magazines, photos, book covers. The print samples look best on this stock as they seem cleaner due to the less absorbent stock which causes the ink to bleed less. The glossy finish makes them look more professional as this couldn't be created by a cheaper company, it  also makes the leaflet's stand out against the research conducted into different leaflet aimed at students as they use the cheaper uncoated stock, this will help the design grab their attention which is needed as they will receive a large amour of flyers. This flue needs to appeal more professional, stand out, have crisp modern design and seem serious, this finish helps apply these.