visual communication
VISC 302

 

...... :: syllabus :: p1 (ongoing) :: p2 logo :: p3 redesign :: p4 festival :: google drive

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Professor: Andrea Herstowski
Office hours: by appointment
email: herstow@ku.edu

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:: Research
:- Thinking with Type
:- Typotheque
:- Type Cultur
:- Visual Thesaurus
:- Type Base
:- dailydropcap.com
:- designobserver.com
:- formfiftyfive.com
:- friendsoftype.com
:- ministryoftype.co.uk
:- typographica.org
:- welovetypography.com

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:: Short films :: Audio
:- films by Hillman Curtis
:- Type Radio

 

Publication Design
Book redesign /refresh of the ___ version with updated content photography/illustration.

Redesign an illustrated book of your own choosing. Your challenge it to redesign a book of your choosing to make it more compelling, updated, easier to navigate, etc. A book is a three-dimensional object - visual narrative that works in time like a film.

For your redesign you can use the existing imagery from your book or create/find imagery (photography, illustration, icons...). You will determine the goals, the audience, the grid and typographic style of the book redesign and hand them in with your final book redesign. *Avoid books that are already well designed. Avoid cookbooks or any type of book that contains content that is more formulaic.

The typography should communicate the essential nature of the book. The book should have a structure based on the grid and the correct use of the leading grid. Typographic grids control the visual organization of the page space by supplying a particular kind of structure developed for typographic organization. The structure consists of margins, alleys, grid fields, and intersection points. Grids allow the designer to codify groups of typographic information. This process of codification allows the viewer to proceed through a complex page environment, tracking information in a seamless, linear manner.

A good grid forces order onto the layout and so acts as an orienting device enabling the reader to knows where to look for information and to understand its relative importance. Just as importantly the grid works on an aesthetic level. The readers might not consciously be aware of it, but subliminally they pick up on the fact that everything is well ordered and in its place. If a picture juts fractionally into the column next to it something seems to be slightly amiss, but if the lines of text align neatly across the columns on a page some fundamental and reassuring logic seems to be at work.

Your design should be typographically beautiful, simple without being simplistic, have a clear hierarchy, an attention to detail. It needs to be interesting, inviting, dynamic. Only the finest typography will be accepted. There are typographic standards we will cover in class lectures and readings and they will need to be practiced: column width, text size, word spacing, hyphenation.

There are several goals for this project: Mastering InDesign, understanding and constructing a leading grid, a clear hierarchy, terminology, typographic rules, typographic details, and of course a dynamic composition.

Elements/Standards/Rules you will need to address
_ leading grid: margins, alleys. modules
_ hierarchy, composition,
_ type size, type color, line length (column width), leading
_ headlines, subheads, call outs, captions
_ page numbers
_ paragraph breaks, justification, letter and word spacing, hyphenation, widows, orphans
_ dashes, quote marks and apostrophes
_ vertical and horizontal pull (clotheslines)

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TECHNICAL RESTRICTIONS
_ Format Size: 10.5 x 14 page, 8 x 10 page or 10 x 10page size you will pick one.
_ Color: 4 color (CMYK)
_ Fonts: based on font studies one serif, one sans serif
_ Typographic Rules: You may use rules, bars, color fields avoid using them as decor
_ Leading Grid: 9-12 column (you will determine), 4pt leading grid will be built in class using the body text’s leading as a measure. (8.5/12pt). The leading grid – should be used – no exceptions.

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CONTENT (changed the amount)
You are going to redesign the cover, end papers, title page, table of contents (spread), 3 chapter Opening (spreads) and at 3 following (spreads) in a chapter (minimum number of spreads is 10 spreads/20 pages) you determine the content you need to get up to a total of 10 spreads.* start typing in your content.

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ON-SCREEN (InDesign Template for you to use DOWNLOAD it)
You will also translate at least the cover, table of contents or chapter opening, chapter opening and following spreads for chapter to an on-screen ipad version of your book. What content can be added when the book is on-screen? Silde Show? Video? Audio? Sounds?

TECHNICAL RESTRICTIONS
_ Format Size: 768 px x however long you need it px (portrait only -- no landscape)
Pages read down - spreads become long pages going down.
_ Next chapter scrolls to the right or left not down.
_ At least 2 interactive components (design only not working)
(more will be given when we get close to this section)

| Tips 1 | Tips 2 | red bull

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DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
When designing/exploring/refining remember the design principles of SCALE, CONTRAST, RHYTHM. Pay attention to how long the text is, white space, alignment horizontally and vertically, how to get the type and images to work together, elements should group together, space, scale, movement/ rhythm, asymmetric, call outs..

How can you draw the reader into the pages?
What are different ways to show a new paragraph?
What can you do with call outs... the title, subtitle, author, intro text
How can elements align?
What can you do typographically to the title to make it a typographical solution: contrast, size, cropping, cutting, connecting, positive negative.
How can you make the text have the same feeling as the images?
How can you design the spreads without cropping the images?

Be cautious of/avoid...
_ avoid making your type into organic shapes, type in circles, text on a curve
_ avoid checkerboard layouts
_ avoid too much space between elements
_ avoid filling the page, start with the text lower on the page
_ avoid a symmetric spread, think as spreads not pages.

Tips
_ avoid all the text being "high" on the page - works better lower on the page
_ have elements align on the same baseline
_ avoid white more white space "inside" the page.
_ have your white space outside of the elements
_ do not crowd the page
_ do not have too little on the page
_ take your time be neat
_ explore some layouts conservative/traditional, other really push scale, tension, overlap,...

Here are some examples from the past.
Andy Warhol: Haylee Hedge
Winning Pocket Billiards: Jamal Gamby
Butler's Guide: Sydney Goldstein
Glory or their Times: Kacie Eberhart
You can be an Expert Rifleman: Sally Carmichael
Lemons: Emily Mullett

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Wednesday, Feb 27
Research / Homework for Monday March 4

Read: Chapters in Making and Breaking the Grid.pdf (mostly images)
Coming to Order pages 14 - 21
Grid Basics pages 22 - 31
Historical Interlude Seeds of Destruction pages 112 - 119

(This will all go into your process book)

-- Why you chose the book you chose redesign and how do you intend to make it better?

You are going to redesign the cover, title page, table of contents, 3 chapter opening spreads and at least 1 full chapter (minimum number of spreads is 16 spreads/32 pages) you determine the content you need to get up to a total of 16 spreads.

-- What. Which chapter(a) are you going to redesign it can be any one of chapter(s) that you think would be the most interesting? Start to type it in.

-- Who. Define/Write 2 audience profiles. Think back to the conference and write 2 different audience profiles (both people should be interested in your topic but maybe they are not the same person.

Thinking about the design of the book how does it look/feel typographically (need to see the kind of type is it bold, custom, find examples, illustration style, photographic style, patterns…

-- How. Pick 2-3 words that define a visual direction for you and create 1 style/moodboard/stylescape. You can write your own 2-3 words that describe your board (you know key words you would use in a search is a way to think about those words — descriptive. ** Define and develop 3 completely different style/moodboards (yes that means new words also)

You can do these style/moodboard/stylescapes how ever you want just take the time to do them so you have clear visual directions and that you can pick one on Monday — you need to do 3 completely different ones to make sure you pick the best one. Please print them out.

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Monday March 4
Discuss 3 moodboards and pick one
Explore different formats start with these: 10.5 x 14 page, 8 x 10 page or 10 x 10page.
Use the paper in class to make a dummy.
Create a grid for each format. Use InDesign.

HOMEWORK
Using at least 2 different formats explore 6 different chapter openings spreads.
(6 total chapter openings not 6 spreads for each format.)

Suggested process
Sketch out some ideas
Try out 2 - 3 size different formats.
Start with a 9 or 12 column grid on a page.
How does the the chapter opening engage the reader.
How much text do you need?
Explore at least 5 levels of hierarchy on the spread.
Think about intro text, body text, call out, captions, page numbers.
You can use place holder imagery, icons, illustrations if you are still working on them.

BRING TO CLASS on WED.
Print out your spreads empty with just grid 6 times black and white.
Print out your spreads black and white at 100% and at 70%. (2 copies each)
If you still have magazines from what you did with Ryan bring them in.
Bring transparent tape.
Bring Scissors.
Bring Tracing paper.

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SPRING BREAK
:: yep homework
Create 3 more opening spreads and 2 following spreads for each chapter opening.
**following spread shows how does the next page flows from the opening spread.

** Use the grid in the same way for the following spreads

** Have at least 3 levels of hierarchy on each spread.

** Include page numbers... Think about everything we have covered so far this semester and year.
Develop your illustrations, icons or photography so you are ready to refine after spring break — don’t wait.

Print everything out for class on Monday, March 18.

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Monday March 18
Discuss 3 opening spreads and following spreads. What is working? How can it work better? How can you create a rhythm throughout the chapter? How do you use typographic color? How do you use a grid but still create surprise. Push your layouts beyond the expected. Explore how type and images work together. How to create tension. Embrace white space. Refined typography.

HOMEWORK
Refine 1 chapter Opening (spreads) and at 3 following (spreads) in a chapter. (x) one variation
Save as a pdf -- no need to print.

*Package your files and meet in the computer lab. Work on the large screen so make sure you package and turn on your fonts on the school machine -- don't work on your laptop

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Wednesday, Wednesday 20
Work in class and crit layouts. Create a type palette page and create style sheets from that palette. Refine and use a grid. Use a baseline grid and use style sheets! You will need them when you translate to the ipad! The ipad text is completely different from print.

HOMEWORK
Design the entire book minus the cover. 3 different chapter openings, following spreads for one chapter at least 3 spreads. In addition explore at least 6 different title pages (single right page) and design 6 different table of content (spreads). Print it all out full size. You can print b/w if you want and print the color as thumbnails. Here is a map of the pages you are designing.

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Monday, March 25
Discuss layouts, title pages, table of contents.
Intro to the iPad version. Layout and navigation.
Intro to paper and binding.

HOMEWORK
Put the entire book together, refine. Explore at least 6 - 12 different cover options. Explore 6 - 12 end papers (color, pattern, photography, no text) you can be boring and have just color but why?
Save as a pdf -- no need to print.

*Package your files and meet in the computer lab. Work on the large screen so make sure you package and turn on your fonts on the school machine -- don't work on your laptop

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Wednesday, March 27
Meet in the lab.
Festival start thinking about it (readings and examples).
Refine Style Sheets.
How To Create your own mock-up in Photoshop. Have one spread explored as a pdf.

ON-SCREEN (InDesign Template for you to use DOWNLOAD it)
You will also translate at least the cover, table of contents or chapter opening, chapter opening and following spreads for chapter to an on-screen ipad version of your book. What content can be added when the book is on-screen? Slide Show? Video? Audio? Sounds?
Here is a map of the iPad pages
.

TECHNICAL RESTRICTIONS
_ Format Size: 768 px x however long you need it px (portrait only -- no landscape)
_ Pages read down - spreads become long pages going down.
_ Next chapter scrolls to the right or left not down.
_ At least 2 interactive components (design only, not really working)
| Tips 1 | Tips 2 |

HOMEWORK
Put the entire book together, refine. How can you make it better? Make variations for spreads that are giving you trouble. Refine all the details. Grid. Type sizes. Hyphenation. Dashes. Justification.

Translate the book to the ipad. What can you add that enhances the experience? How do people access that experience. Use InDesign Template. Translate only the cover, table of contents, chapter opening and following spreads. These are no longer spreads. The ipad is basically portrait pages scrolling down -- embrace it! Use white space no need to cramp it all. Design 2 different versions. Save as pdf and package to work in class. Here is a map of the iPad pages.

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Monday, April 1
Feedback on the book and ipad.
Create your own photoshop mock-up template.

HOMEWORK
Refine both the printed book and the ipad. For the ipad make sure you have at least 3 things that require user interaction: rollover what does the rollover state look like and what happens, slide show, video, audio... you are just figuring what could be interactive and you need to show it in some way (not coded just show it) build it and we can talk about how to show it.

Maybe start looking at how people present websites or interaction on behance. Paste 3 links that you can share with the class of interaction projects that you think are well presented on Behance. Paste them into this google doc.

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Wednesday, April 3
Feedback on the book and ipad.

HOMEWORK
Refine all and prep for final

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Monday, April 8
Due see below
Into Festival Project.

DUE
1) Black and White version of your book. Comped how you want to have the final: (you will be handing in the final comped book soon -- so start testing papers and how you are going to really produce it. Need to check with Linda on availability for Drum Binding

2) B/W version of your book -- full size, grid on,
don't trim it just print it out and staple together.

3) iPad version presented online -- this won't be easy to do. IT is the challenge of the weekend to figure out how to present your ipad magazine on behance. it won't be easy. you will need to try several things before you land on a design that you think works. I am grading how it looks. How it functions (fake interaction). And how you show at 3 levels of interaction (visually or by a call out and visual)

4) print ipad final as a b/w version on 11 x 17 (so I can make comments).

5) Process Book: Title Page. Project Description. Design Considerations (see above). Design Rounds (see homework above). Final Spreads. Final Chapter Opening and Spreads with the grid on (just the one section). iPad final with grid turned on. *if you are spending more than an hour on getting your process book together -- you need to work on that in the future this shouldn't take so long to pull all your homework together and present it.

** you do have to post your print version of the magazine on behance for the project grade. I suggest you do it but it isn't not required for a grade.

*** only the ipad version on behance is required for a grade. and I am grading how it looks. how it functions. and how you show at 3 levels of interaction (visually or by a call out and visual)

I am around over the weekend if you have questions. If you want me to look at designs remember you only get 1 round of feedback -- so make it count. Have several things/options for me to look at. Tell me what you think is working, what isn't. Ask specific questions. I won't go back and forth with you on design via email -- just one chance so make it count.