How to be a Graphic Designer...

I've had this book for a while now, but I haven't properly read through it up until now. Some really interesting points, and I'm looking into reading further after the FMP has been handed in.

For a book that is heavily text-based, the design of the layout is beautiful. Each page is different, with varying column widths and text placement, whilst still looking structured. The choice of a spot colour to differentiate text and to create hierarchy is also a clever technique that could be employed for situations such as written interviews.

At first, I thought one of the pages was printed on blue paper. But then I realised there is a white in the image, so unless there was the inclusion of white ink then it would be impossible. Also, the other side is white, so it's more than likely printed with a slight blue backdrop. This is an alternative way to give pages colour, give it a tint of the spot colour that is being used to give an illusion of coloured stock.

Audi A1 Booklet

Not the most exciting bit of graphic design, but I love how clean and functional this booklet is. The use of a silver spot colour really gives it a touch of class and is completely relevant to the automotive industry.

I also love the format of the book, measuring 297x196 - a wide A4 format. It is a lot different to other books and challenges the conventions of regular publications.

Varying Column Widths

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I stumbled across this post on tumblr and I loved the various column widths. It allowed for captions, introductory paragraphs and the main body text to be flawlessly displayed in a visual hierarchy that works in an harmonious way. 

The way the white space embraces the small text that is the captions lets the reader know that they accompany the image. The text boxes that spread over 2 columns must be more important and should be read first. This comes before devices such as a heavier weight of text, or taking advantage of the viewer reading top to bottom, left to right.

Proxy: Reducing Size of Posters and Vibrant Ink

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Something that I love about this piece is the use of vibrant inks and the format. This poster would be done on a budget, from the photographs the stock is fairly thin and looks no thicker than 80gsm. This makes for easy folding, and it holds the colours well.

The poster has similar aesthetics to blueprints. Thin, striking lines often complex in composition to demonstrate a plan in the field of architecture. The fold down format also benefits the print as it is more portable and can be handed out easily if the purpose sees fit.

The Outpost Magazine

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A clean layout for the outpost magazine. I really enjoy the vibrant colours, and the combination between a deep red background and the stock on the double page spreads above. This could be achieved simply by printing, but it could also be separate stocks combined in one publication. The sheer contrast engages the viewer, and the different stock could be used to hold designs that are separate to the layout, like infographics or typographic specimens.

Critical Dialogues: Colour Categorisations

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Categorisation is something that I will need to consider if I'm doing information graphics & in particular a Nordic music promotion which focuses on 5 different countries. Graphical House have used colour to separate different pages or categories, whilst keeping the same layout to make it visually consistent.

Ego Primevera 2012

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A really nice example of clean layout and interesting bind. The bind itself promotes enough interest for me, as I haven't seen the ring bind used in such a fashion. It separates itself from other publications due to its unique approach.

The simple colour scheme works really well to give the whole publication a clean aesthetic, and monotone images complement the colours whilst still being clear.

Also, the inclusion of smaller pages on different stock to separate content is an technique that I could employ within my context book when dealing with features such as interviews, away from the image-based material.

The Outpost Infographics

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A range of infographics all based around the same visual style. Romauldo Faura, creator of the work, integrates his infographics within his illustrations as a direct link to the topic. It's a clever way to get the subject involved; the illustrations look playful and will encourage his audience to engage with what he is trying to communicate.

Also, the icons he has used are simple and effective. I really like the negative space they create in the black circles - especially on a coloured backdrop such as a vibrant red. It has got me thinking about appropriate stock to use for the infographics publication I will create for my Endangered publication.

Jot Down: Infographic Editorial

This is a really nice combination of info graphics and editorial work in one project. Jot Down is a spanish-based magazine established in 2012, released quarterly throughout the year.

What I like about the work is the fact that it is ALL black and white, yet remains interesting and resilient throughout. I featured a piece of black & white editorial work earlier that was entirely functional, but lacked any interest and ambition. This example, however, proves that that a lack of colour doesn't necessarily mean a dull piece of work. The interest is promoted through varying layouts, through interesting uses of typography and the use of striking imagery.

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Revealing Devices

On the front cover in particular, devices can be used to reveal a hidden message, or to reveal the full picture. This can be done in a number of ways, through slide-outs, additional print outs to be placed over front covers or belly bands to name a few.

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This is a design for the book design awards. Using a printed device on the front cover, the message 'don't judge' extends to 'don't judge a book by its cover.' A clever play on words, and something that has context within the event that it's representing.

Heydays

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Another example of communicating a message using the stock, this time through debossing and embossing. It keeps the publication as minimal as possible - giving it a clean, professional outcome. This technique is only really reserved for the front cover, as the effect could flatten and distort if pressed in between multiple pages.

Snitt: Consistent Publication Design

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It is important to be consistent in design throughout a publication. This particular example, Snitt, uses the colour purple throughout to keep consistency, and also to keep things simple.  The reader realises the identity of the publication throughout and this gives it a certain aura - it shows the publication is a whole work of design and not multiple individual pages.

There is also evidence of a set going on - distinguished by different colours. This shows that the use of colour can be used to separate parts of the set, and the consistent design styles demonstrate the separate publications are part of a whole body of work.

Agenda - Simplicity in Layout

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This set of publications show how simplicity in design can create beautiful and completely functional editorial design. There is no need to overcomplicate the layout, it just needs to frame the text well and tell a story in a structured way. It needs to be easy to read, which is achieved by breaking down walls of text into distinguishable paragraphs. The designer needs to ensure there is an acceptable number of words per line - an average of around 6-8 for single column layouts such as these should be fine.

The range of front covers could represent different publications with the same underlying theme, that would aim to work as a set, or could simply add a collectable factor to one publication - much like special editions of high-end magazines. Collectable issues could be something to consider in briefs 3 & 4, when exploring the range and potential of the briefs.

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