Task:
You will design a 16 page publication including cover which is the standard signature size within a sewn book. As wikipedia entries are usually sprawling you will have to select the specific content you want to use.
Consider your choice of entry, perhaps something that you are not already familiar with or that is obscure might allow for more unusual design treatments.
What isn't familiar?
Most things.
It would be easier to understand what I am familiar with, art subjects, popular culture, pottery (to an extent), anything up to GCSE level education.
Things I am definitely not familiar with:
- football
- general knowledge
- not being gullible
Text
Textfcdc
Which article?
Which article?
I'm having trouble deciding what article to use, with so much choice (6,080,068 articles just in the English Wiki) and a need for something unknown. There's endless possibilities to what I could choose.
The random article generator has not yet provided something substantial. I will keep trying with this as it's an interesting way to find a subject, alas, less random if I keep rejecting the ones it sends.
Choosing articles:
I'm finding it difficult to find a topic to focus on with the list being so broad. There are 6,080,068 English wiki articles to choose from. I have tried using a random article generator but to no avail, the articles it chooses are often too short or do not have the capacity to cover 16 pages.
I will keep going with this as it may at some point come up with an article I am more interesting in converting.
Which article?
Searching for an article has been quite a hard task, with 6,080,068 articles in the English wiki alone, it's easy to see how someone could be overwhelmed with choice.
The random article generator has been no use so far however I will prevail with this. I feel using it could be interesting through it's outcomes and there is no harm in continuing to do so.
It could also be interesting to collaborate with someone in the class. If we as two different people choose something for one another then the topic is bound to be interesting.
Olya's images
The different documents Olya showed the group the previous week were really helpful in showing uncommon ways of laying out a document.
For my 16 page design I want to really focus on playing with page size and text formation. Therefore will keep the font design minimal and clean. I want it to challenge how I use inDesign and hopefully, (if I get printer ink) something that I can physically create. Though this is not so easy during these times.
In particular the use of fold out designs was really interesting to me. In a 16 page booklet every page doesn't have to be the same. It allows for more creative freedom as we are not restricted to on size. The most important information can be printed largely or images.
The book containing small books stuck inside is also quite interesting and achievable. It's reminiscent of a school binder, and creates coherence through objects that are perhaps made to be separate.
Possible choices:
- my hometown (Burnley)
- wiki random
-swap topics with a classmate so its completely unknown
Idea 1:
"Wikipedia: List of really, really, really stupid article ideas that you really, really, really should not create"
I thought it could be quite interesting to take a humorous approach to this topic, and explore some of the bad article ideas.
Idea 2
Homophones... (kinda)
A homophone is a word that has different meanings when applied to different contexts. I thought an article title that has two very different meanings could be quite interesting to use in this document. The document could have two different sides and meet in the middle. However it's hard to think of an article like this without coming across it.
the audience
After coming up with the idea for a homophone style document, I thought a wider range of people were needed to think of words that would work. I could then simply find the wiki article concerning this subject and chose the two different articles related.
Due to the quarantine, whilst asking my household, I also took to different social media groups to ask the question. I used Instagram to yield a younger audience and used my mothers Facebook account for a more mature audience. The best answers came from Instagram, perhaps because they understood the need for a word with rich depth rather than simply words that are the same.
Here are a list of the best answers:
- The Sun (star) The Sun (Newspaper)
- Rock (stone)Rock (n roll) Rock (celebrity) Rock (candy)
- Intercourse (sexual) Intercourse (conversion)
- Record (write something down) Record (vinyl, song)
- Tablet (medicine) tablet (electrical)
- Subject
- Pot (pottery) Pot (weed)
Choosing the topic
It's either going to be intercourse, the sun or rock. These all will create completely different outcomes due to the context of the words. Intercourse has the potential of creating a more serious and sombre piece. Whilst, the sun will be half factual and the half a disapproving tone to the subject. Rock could be quite humorous with the interpretations being so different from each other, interesting to see how they can relate to being a cohesive piece of work.
Marta Ryczko
The way this book has been designed is unique and unfamiliar. Two separate sections are divided by hardback through the centre of the spine. The book is part of a small set of three each book is only 3" X 2".
"each one about a different legend from Polish folklore. Printed on thick watercolour paper and bound in Nepalese handmade paper, each cover is silkscreened with silver ink and a foil stamp was applied on the box. Legends included are Sir Twardowski, The Warsaw Mermaid, and The Wawel Dragon. Edition of 3." https://bookinessblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/marta-ryczko/
It begins to question the nature of book structure. It can be subjected to change as long as it is still accessible for the reader. The small size relates to the folklore element of the book, perhaps because these stories are told to children, the size is small like their toys; miniature and immature.
Dennis Yuen
Using the style of Dos a Dos bookbinding, Yuen creates a 'ying-yang' book that highlights the contrast in the two sides. The two seperate sides are also held at different heights to solidify the segregation.
"looked around the piece back to front, and I thought it was all right. But then I realized, turning one book upside down would create a drastically different effect, which also accentuates the opposing qualities between the two books. The view from the back is even more dramatic."
The quote for Yuen suggests a happy accident to how the book was created. I really like the idea of creating a book that is upside down and right side up, though I don't feel such separation of both books is needed once the word is more of a shared experience in both sections of the book. Their should be some element of separation but also a sense of cohesion.
Further reflection
I feel as though the overall work is lacking. It seems basic and clunky, the idea stripped back, has potential though. It's just a case of balance. There is too much text and too little negative space. I think I need to reduce the amount of text from the articles, to create more space to work, and to allow the overlay of notes to have more room. Overall, if the reader can't understand the text, then the design has failed therefore I think larger headings will help to split the text up.
In my initial plans I wanted a pull out sheet that slotted into the middle of the booklet that almost bridges together the two texts, as intercourse has two meanings on wikipedia, it highlights that. The pullout at this point in time would be an A2 sheet folded.
Thinking about the imagery, I wasn't too sure what images to use and what would be successful, therefore I feel as though I may just use the images included within the articles and try and edit them in some way to fit within the piece.
incorporating images
To add more to colour and life to the document, I chose to include the images used in the Wikipedia articles. Mostly Renaissance artworks, I thought by editing them to fit a monochromatic bright colour scheme, would incorporate a detail to the work that links the WIKI article to its new format. Images are fairly unnecessary in the explanation of the topic, so visibility is less of an issue. The images are almost just going to be used in as a space filler to balance the text.
APFEL BRUKT
A love at first sight story occurred when I saw Apfel Brukt, on the Collettivos type foundary. The font felt like it had a real human touch. The idea of using less ink through simple small dots is revolutionary, although it doesn't relate much to conversation in a tradition sense. I think this typeface represents a very human state of mind. It's a conscious font, designed to be more ego friendly whilst still appearing as a stylish, modern font. Finding a font to represent social intercourse is perculiar and rather than an obvious link, I like this subtle nod through the social aspects of the typeface.
I think in contrast Aria well, especially in the headings alongside larger body texts of Aria typeface.
Detail 1 (PICTURED RIGHT)
Shape plays a role throughout this document, I think this feature page works well to link the imagery and main body text. It uses the phrase 'the birds and the bees' and then 'blommor och bin' and 'blumchen und die Bienchen', these are from Sweden and Germany meaning 'the flowers and the bees'. The phrase 'the bird and the bees' originates from as bees pollinate flowers thus the life cycle continues, a reference to sex that's 'child friendly'. In the English language we use this as a euphemism for sex, therefore it seems fitting to put within the sexual intercourse section. Although, the text is informative, I don't think it needs to be explicit. The phrase 'the birds and the bees' is always a nice way to introduce younger audiences to the subject and will be a gentle reminder of past conversations to the current audience.
INSERT
The document is only 14 pages long therefore we need to create... the insert!
1st Attempt insert
For the basic layout, I wanted to incorporate the different definitions and leave space for the reader to add their own notes. The sheet is designed to be A2 and fold in to the booklet. It acts as a bridge between both sections. This was just intended as a basic layout, but there are a few issues already showing. Firstly, the pages just seem cohesive, though they are similar it is meant to act as one big sheet of A2 rather than four sheets of A4.
It's also quite boring, on the rear side with just the full versions of each texts. I think images on the handout could work better rather than more text.
Insert
Originally, I wanted to make the insert yellow, the yellow peaking out from blue booklet would be cohesive and add a nice interactive touch to the document, for the reader to take out. I tried different versions and layouts but due to not being able to print, they all seemed unattractive. The blues clung to the harsh yellow of the screen rather than harmonising. I wanted the pullout to be a poster that linked the two sides of the document, they kept looking too separate.
Therefore, I moved away from the original idea, and chose a pink colour with blue writing. It's not perfect, but with limited facilities I think it works in a sort of low fi way. The phone symbolises both types of intercourse. The text is the two separate definitions. I like how the word 'intercourse' is half flipped, making it equal to read from both sides of the document.
NOTE ON PDF COLOUR
Not sure why when posted onto workflow has the colour of some of the text changed, but if you look at the document through the Moodle submission, you'll see it's brighter and more cohesive
Wiki Britannica notes
(San serif linux libertine Georgia times) all default typefaces used for web.
The Britannica is the English Language encyclopaedia that was in print the longest
Design a 16 page publication including cover standard size within a sewn book. Specific content
Certain typefaces = certain connotations
Consider
-format
-typefcES
-HIERARCHY
-GRID
-COVER
-IMAGES
Format? A3 folded in half can be both a4/a3
A3 doled vertically large coloumns very readable
Loose sheet?
Stedelijk
Folder! Three books into one
Victor drawn images
Handwritten elements
Small print inside large type
That’s a section in a sewing book
16 pages =
Looking at the text from the wiki article, it seems it may be too long to turn into a double sided document. From copy the text alone, it has already filled 11 pages of columns and I was going to split the document in half so it should've filled 8 maximum. Perhaps if I only use a segment of the text but I think the brief stated we should use the whole document. I want both halves of the book to have equal space in the book even if one is more 'interesting'.
Children's book
Often, children's books have been found to use a way to create two books in one. The upside down back cover allows for the book to be read in a different way. The book would then be flipped and either read backwards to tell the story from a new perspective. Or, the book will have a operation in the middle.
Idea 1:
Book binder in the Dos a Dos style. Intercourse (sexual) on front cover. Intercourse (conversation) on the back.
The covers can be of same colour but a different font is used for each section to show a slight difference.
Idea 2:
The book is split into two sections. The first being intercourse (sexual) and the back half being intercourse (conversation). In the middle of the book, there is a loose sheet of a3/a2 depending on the size of the page. It folds out and includes both definitions of intercourse and the homophone. Images and words and shown side by side.
Idea 3:
A concertina book is used. One side has one element of the intercourse wikipedia page, the other side has another element. The book is easily seen as one.
Alternate homophone
Corona! I can't believe I didn't think of this, a suggestion from my sister. Corona as in virus Vs beer. It might be too obvious for the time or maybe tasteless? I'm intrigued by this though, and it's definitely one of the top contenders for me now
Initial idea:
After deciding on the subject matter, I then had to decide what type of layout I wanted to create. The topics both had a lot of text to go with them therefore I used columns to make the text easier to read alongside a small typeface. After typesetting this briefly, I realised it was very overwhelming to read- though similar to a normal wikipedia article. I thought perhaps it could be interesting to play on this by using two layers of text. The underneath layer would be the article, in detail if the reader so wishes to learn everything, and then overlaid would be my own notes, as if I was researching the subject myself. These notes would summarise the text in true note form. It would highlight the most interesting parts of the text, and be an overall contrast to uber formal work underneath.
I liked this approach as more often than not, when using a wiki article, we are oversaturated with more information than we need. This way of working allows the reader to know flick through the document and see which page will concern the information they need. I thought that perhaps since the topic 'sexual intercourse' is something fairly self explanatory, that the explanations aren't truly meant to be taken to heart. They are merely brief introductions to the page. To go alongside this note taking overlay, I included very basic illustrations and circled important information to tie together the idea that the work is being simplified and the images help to memorise what the article is talking about.
The colour scheme is a work in progress. Initially I imagined the work being printed out onto coloured paper so wanted to keep a simple to colour piece that would be inverted for the flipped side. However I'm not sure this looks successful due to the colours chosen, the orange seems hard to read etc.
Tutorial feedback and personal critque
Some ideas we though about in tutorial (notes)
- bound with an elastic band
- cover becomes image:
I had not considered the covers at this stage so just used a simple layout, but during the tutorial we talked of how the document is text heavy therefore including an image on the cover would help to make a more incising read. I may not include an image, but I agree that the covers are rather dull and need work.
- What inter means? between and among
- push further!t
- Thinking another the context of conversation? conversational font , feels mechanical , subtitles?
The first typeface I selected was based on something with direct links to the subject matter. The typeface was the name, or a digitalised version of the first English punished translation on the Kama Sutra. This is known as a book of human sexuality (amongst over things). Therefore fits perfectly for the topic. The social intercourse typeface didn't have such a meaning as I couldn't seem to think of a way to link this. We talked of perhaps what fonts could represent conversation, would it be subtitles or perhaps a font that has been. collaborated on therefore there's a link in that sense. Typefaces used for news monitors news?
Here are some resources that were suggested:
- Typeface collaborative typeface
- Project how to work together
- design
- primaryfoundary
- vocal type: socially driven, type foundary
Front cover explanation
Although I feel hope the cover is self explanatory, I will give some context. The subject matter of intercourse (sexual) refers to sex and all things related. As I have been creating a slightly informal voice throughout the document, I thought these images would work well. They are all things types on a calculator or through messaging services to insinuate something sexual. They are immature things such as the word 'boobies. written '8008135'. Or a penis written ====D. I think it adds a playful element to the work. The text is quite heavy and though it is a serious document, its a topic that doesn't have to be taken too seriously, sex is natural and the images help to lighten the subject. I think (and hope) this is a universal understanding, that most people can understand what the front cover means.
Back 'front' cover explanation
As the book has two beginnings, the back cover is in fact a front cover but flipped upside down. So the reader can pick the book up from either side and start reading from the beginning. The covers needed to be consistent as they represent the same word just different meanings. The book cover uses conversational language, to demonstrate to the reader what social intercourse means as it is the lesser known meaning. I thought the inverted colour scheme could help to demonstrate the opposing meanings in a visual way, though I'm still no set on the true colour scheme. Pink and blue could be impactful as they compliment each other and are typically used for gender. But, pink and blue reinforces the a heteronormative stereotype therefore it may be slightly offensive to use this.
TYPEFACE: ARIA
Aria is a very popular font used in printed design. As stated previously, I looked to the original translations and printed books of the Kamasutra. The book known for talking about sex around the world. The typeface seems to be used in the modern translations and looks very similar if no the same to the first document. It just seems like the right choice due to its use in such contexts, the serif font contrasts nicely with the sans serif font used in the other work.
Layout
Initially I went for a 3 column design on both pages, though after completing a full document in this, it looked boring and too restricted. So I opted for 3 columns on the left, and two on the right. It creates more length to the work and allows for more creative freedom whilst still maintaining a clean grid. The right hand side columns are slightly taller to again create more depth.
The font and leading pt of each font size are divisible by six, therefore the baseline grid is 6pts, to allow all the fonts to align to the grid. The type is justified with a range left on last lines, therefore the type looks quite strict and uniform, I felt this important due to the amount of text and overlay of words. The bottom layer is strict so the overlay can be less so. I think it's successful, it works as a clean, comprehendible structure, perhaps maybe too formal in some aspects, but I thought that was necessary with the use of informality that will be added.
Image within work
Pictures for this topicaren't particularly easy to find. Typing intercourse into your search bar is not really going to bring up the results we would want... well in this case anyway. As stated previously, I think using the REniassaince paintings from the article will work better than some staged porno. Therefore, to include these images I have manipulated the colours and the shapes. The shapes are hand drawn and the image is then placed into it and resized. The image is less so about its subject and more for the texture it adds to the document. It's a visually exciting element compared to the flat text and really adds to this spread. I feel as though they break up the text well every so often. The text almost engulfs the image straight away creating a sort of harmony.
Perhaps people will be confused when they can't tell what the image is, or perhaps they won't see it as an image at all. I like that it becomes a digital collage of sorts.
Insert 2 attempt
Following on from the last attempt, I decided to downsize the pullout to just slightly bigger the a4 but with a taller height so it can bee above the cover from the outside. I used a bright colour, that compliments the blue colour scheme and just used the phrases that wiki uses when it redirects you to a different page. I like how it subverts and online norm to a physical version, how the book attempts to redirect you physically back to the beginning. It still needs work. It still feels out of place and not truly necessary, perhaps I should make it into more of a A3 poster on the inside and keep the two sides it already has
Mockup and finished doc
The mockup helps to illustrate the type of design I am going for, how it would look had I been able to print. It shows how the book is flipped for the different halves and how there's is no back cover, simply two fronts. I think the neat grid works well to keep the text in order and the non-linear shapes help to contrast this. The balance of the text and negative space is one of the strong points. Yet it maybe is not enough, it doesn't relate to the term 'intercourse' all that well, the design could've used more substance perhaps. The initial idea of basing the design on school notes was interesting but due to certain limitations, I haven't been able to fulfil this.
I included the character from the gif, as it reminded me of the type of character you would find in a revision book, giving you tips. It helps to link the pieces which I think is a sweet touch.
Pullout/A3 mockup
The mockup helps visualise the scale of the work, I wouldn't perhaps go for a paper that's coated as it would probably break away around the crease lines. I was thinking an uncoated, matte, lightly textured paper(140gms) would be suitable. Nevertheless the work looks so much more compelling when in the mock up rather than the flat design