After completing two short one week briefs, it was
time to spend some time creating a more well-rounded and thought out project by
using images from the summer brief to create an ‘Art/Photography’ publication.
Firstly, being able to utilise the images that were
taken in summer to put them to good use was refreshing. This was as I’d thought
a lot about the concept and theme of the images, therefore giving me a head
start on the publication. Not having to worry about concept gave me plenty of
time to consider materials and really get the layout down to a tee. This time
was much needed, as I had a lot of trouble with the editorial layout aspect of
the publication as I have in the past. This meaning the majority of my time was
spent attempting different strategies to ensure consistency throughout my
pages.
Furthermore, this issue was eradicated when I was
introduced to the ‘Van Der Graaf’ in the session relating to canons of page
construction. Being able to mathematically and logically think of the page in
this manner proved much more effective when considering the small size and amount
of content on each of my pages.
Having already edited the images to comply more with the
concept, I was able to focus some more of my energy on gathering feedback on
alternative layouts and materials. Very early on into the brief, I knew I wanted
to use wood for the cover, this was to emanate the sense of industrial production,
so cheap and easily available wood was going to be used, this received only
positive reactions in the feedback sessions. After researching into wooden
books it became clear that the binding method of choice for most, if not all
was a Coptic stitch. This aspect of the book was somewhat daunting for me as I’d
never done this type of stitch before, nor is it possible to be inducted on
this particular binding method down at Rossington Street. After many failed
attempts at making a mock-up, I was fortunately able to get the technique right
and be able to create a tight, sturdy finish for the small, yet heavy book.
The choice to laser cut into the cover was purely down
to material. The fact I was using wood opened up plenty of windows to learn
some new techniques and apply them to the publication. Keeping the laser etch
simple and straight forward allowed me to make mistakes and accommodate for the
time period we had to complete this brief as this was my first time ever using
a laser cutting machine. I am now 100% confident that I can apply this
technique to future projects to a n increased and more intricate standard.
Overall, the quality of my publication is reflective
of the timescale we had to complete such a task. Other than a few technical
issues that were out of my own hands, the outcome answers the brief successfully
and feedback received for the final specimen has been nothing but positive (Besides
from the InDesign malfunctions that could not be solved of course.).
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