hollycarterfmp-blog

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Mock-up and binding

I printed a new mock-up to see how it was working with all of the changes I have recently added. After my first attempt at printing this most recent design, I realised that where I had adjusted the margins on the left-hand page, it meant that the text sometimes got cut out. I tested out Japanese binding. In a tutorial, we discussed how this type of bind isn’t really appropriate for a special edition print that celebrates 50 years. I can now see that it does make the whole thing look handmade, which isn’t what I’m going for. It was suggested that I bind it with a hard cover and a spine instead.

I made changes to the margins and placement of text and image, and then printed a second mock-up. Suggestions I was given for changes to make on the content included making use of the cutout sections on the left hand page, and a few small changes to the actual text. When you turn the page, you are left with an empty hole on the left-hand page. I totally agree with the point of adding something here because it is a shame to not make use of this space. I am running out of time to experiment, but will definitely try and make some changes and add something here. 

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Testing out different typefaces was important, especially as I am planning on having white text on a blue background, and this can sometimes be hard to read. I have ruled out a few here. At the moment I think the most successful are Seravek and Futura because they are the most clear to read. They are also fairly basic sans serif fonts, which I think is needed in my design because there is a lot going on in the illustrations and there is no need to have an over the top typeface.

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Mock-up

I created another mock-up, this time printing it on thicker paper. This was actually printed on 210 gsm, but I have decided that for my final design I want to print it on 250 gsm. The paper thickness made a huge difference and is very important. It needs the strength to stay together because of all of the cutout sections within the book. 

This mock-up doesn’t include all of my designed pages because I only printed half of them at this point. I could finally see my design beginning to come together.

Changes I want to make/try out:

Move text to the left-hand page to allow illustrations to work on their own

Improvements on actual text and narrative

Adjustments to placement of illustrations so that cutout sections work more successfully

Add block colour to left-hand page because the plain white makes it look unfinished

Text needs to be larger and there needs to be more of it

Test out different typefaces and sizes to see what works best

Add end pages and design a cover

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I experimented with adding textures to my illustrations. This turned out quite nicely but, when placed with my other illustrations, I didn’t think it worked because it wasn’t the same style. I preferred the ‘messy’ look of my other illustrations because they are much more friendly and fun looking. The colours in them are also bright which helps to express the theme of theatre.

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I drew the outlines of my illustrations on my graphics tablet, and then traced them with water colours. These were scanned in, edited on Photoshop (if needed) and overlaid with the outlines on top. This style worked for what I was doing because it looked bright and fun without looking childish. It suited my target audience and represented the theme of theatre well. 

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These are all of the notes I made based on the outcome of my most recent mock-up. Making a mind map helped me to understand the changes I needed to make and considerations for the final design, including how I am going to bind it.

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Improved Design

After thinking more about exactly what I wanted to include in my book, I added to my design and printed a new mock-up.

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Mock-up

I created a mock-up using the illustrations I have already done. Printing it helped me to understand how it looks in a book format and figure out what else I could add that might work too. I liked having a cutout section in each page so that you can see all of the different layers. The busy design portrays the excitement of the theatre well. I’d like to add text so that I can get across certain things about the Watermill that I don’t think can be said just through illustration. I’m still working on how this is going to be put together, but I quite liked the idea of binding it along the top. This would give the cutout pages more support.

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Book

In the end, I went back to the idea of making a book to celebrate the Watermill’s 50th year. This is something I wanted to do all along and I wish I had gone with what I thought was best because I could have spent a lot more time on it that the time I now have left. However, I want to produce the best piece of work I can in the time left, so immediately began drawing out my ideas. 

My shadowbox will be part of my final designs once it is finished and I do have a lot of work and content that is ready to go, so if I really focus I will be able to finish the design. 

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Animation Test

I did the most simple animation test. Feedback for my presentation included trying out animating my shadowbox idea. Although an animation would be a nice way to show my ideas, it isn’t possible to do in the short amount of time left. Also, it isn’t something I’m particularly good at or what to pursue in the future, so I finally decided it wasn’t going to work and moved on from it. However, I did waste quite a lot of time trying to come up with ideas and I really wish I hadn’t because I ended up putting myself in a bad position for finishing the rest of my project.

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Shadowbox Mock-up

After improving on my design, I reprinted my shadow box and assembled it. I think this is a big improvement to the previous one. I got rid of the filter I had applied to the colours, so it looks brighter and the hand drawn water colour style shows through, which I think is nice. I changed the design slightly so that there was more perspective. This meant that the sides glue at an angle to the frame. I liked this and overall think it is pretty close to a final design.

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I added colour to the other parts of my design in the exact same way as I did for the frame. Here is my progress.

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Shadow box components, my progress so far. All illustrations were created using my graphics tablet on Illustrator.

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Shadowboxes

I began designing another shadowbox. Part of the feedback I received from my presentation was to add more layers to my shadowbox and to possibly create a series of them. There were still a few changes I wanted to make to my original design so I created a new document where I could start a fresh. Having two artboards, one for each shadowbox, made it really easy to keep my design consistent so that they work as a set. My second shadowbox design is going to be based on the dressing rooms which run above the auditorium. At the moment, my idea is that I want the shadowboxes to work as separate pieces, but also together. As the first design is the stage and the second design is the dressing rooms, the second one will sit on top of the first.

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Moby Dick Shadowbox

Lovely shadowbox design, by Suzette Korduner. I particularly liked the way it has been put into the book of the story it represents. 

http://suzettekorduner.com/moby-dick-shadowbox/

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David Gentleman

The level of detail in his illustrations is really lovely. I also liked the accuracy of the buildings and the perspective, making it look very realistic. The subtle uses of colour works well because it draws your attention to certain areas.

http://www.davidgentleman.com

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Sarah Lippett - Living Here

http://cliftonville-livinghere.com/map.html