23rd - 26th January 2016

In this project, I was required to                                          create and design a book based on the theme ‘Precious’, which needs to reflect my chosen pathway (Graphic Design). The objective of the brief was to produce a front cover along with three double page spreads, however, I have produced the whole book because I wanted to see what the whole book would look like and see whether all my ideas would work together. I was also required to challenge the definition of a book, which I have done throughout the project by constructing it into a cremation box.

This project was successful because it meets most of the eight principles of design. The background for the pages are symmetrical, making the book feel balanced and contains a sense of rhythm through the use of repetition of the geometric shapes and the sense of direction. There is more emphasis from the centre because it is where the pattern starts and a space has been left in the centre for the viewer to take their eyes away from the tension and it balances everything out. A sense of direction is created as the viewer starts off with looking at the centre of the double page and moves their eyes around the pages in a cycle. I like the layout of this book because there is a contrast between light and dark, and the limited colour emphases this contrast and allows the viewer to appreciate the bold outlines from the shapes. I like the fact that I have included under shadows on the photos and the text box because then it separates the different elements and stops them from blending into the background, creating the illusion of a surface. Each photo is of an equal scale (five centimetres in height), creating balance and giving each photo equal importance; it feels like it is part of a collection. The proportion of the text boxes creates a similar amount of space as the collection of imagery, making the layout feel spacious and free flowing. This book is unified as a whole. The layout of the book is equally spaced out and allows the viewer to face the slight changes within the layout; the drawings have been placed at the front and at the back of the book in order to avoid strong contrast between the pages, and the imagery has been changed from left to right as you move deeper into the book, giving the viewer an exciting layout that isn’t too repetitive and dull.

I also like my book because it is readable; I have used italic Times Roman typography because it is evenly spaced out, elegant and easy to read, and it is often used for laying out sensitive information such as funeral pamphlets. 

I started off this project trying to figure out alternative ways of interpreting the theme because I wanted to avoid going with the most obvious, however, my tutor advised me to produce a piece of work that is personal to me, so I decided to focus on family; family is the most precious thing I value. Because I like making my work emotive, I decided to make my book about my late dad, which increases the meaning behind the book and makes it seem more powerful to the viewer. I was determined to make the front cover into a cremation box because it illustrates to the viewer what the book is about, and it goes with the idea of keeping something secured and hidden; I only decided to replace my dad’s name into ‘precious’ at the end of the project because it is the theme of the book, and the viewer is able to convey that the individual was someone that was loved by many and was worth thinking about. I think I should have explored further the alternative ideas for my front cover; however, I was mostly focussed on putting together my portfolio and completing other projects that were set by universities. I was mostly concerned with

what was going to be in my book rather than the front cover, and I must admit that I haven’t been as experimental for this project as I usually am. I then started to look at Neville Brody, a Graphic Designer recommended at the start of this project. I tried to see how I could use his work and explore his use of text; I also wanted to use the dada movement he was using because I liked the use of collage. However, most of Brody’s work is based on the dada movement, and I wanted to research the movement on its own as well as adding Brody’s style into the book, and I started to realise as I went through the project that I could use Brody’s use of limited colour, which creates a specific mood within my book and sustains the contrasts in light and dark, and geometric lines. I started to do further research on what I can put in my book that is related to grieving, and I came across a website from Marcellina Hardy, which talks about how people create a scrapbook of memories during bereavement; it is supposed to help them through the process of grieving and it makes it easier to let go of a loved one. This helped me realise what a book is actually for. Books are not   I was also looking on Pinterest for how I could present my book sculpturally because I didn’t want my book to be a flat surface. I wanted to make my book as physical and meaningful as possible. I liked the idea of hiding a burnt flower in the book, which is a combination of two ideas from Pinterest that doesn’t have much information about the artists: I only found Kay Williamson, who alters books and specialises in project design. 
specifically aimed at the public! No one said it didn’t have to be private! So I decided to make myself or any family members my audience. I also looked at Melissa Kelsey’s sketchbook because I was looking for inspiration on how to present my work, and that is why I have made the last drawing patchy and rough; it showed a rough appearance, as if it the imagery has been discarded or recovered from somewhere. Carlo Carra was another artist that I found, I was interested in his use of layering and how he emphasises certain shapes and combines imagery with text, which was when I decided to create the
background of my book using scraps of magazine paper, marker pens and masking tape. As I went further into my work, I was exploring different layouts of my book, which made it easier for me to recognise what could go into my book and what colours should be involved. I was considering to out poetry into my book in order to emphasis the emotion I am currently going through, however, I was lucky enough to find a post on Facebook, which should poems from sun gazing.com and lifelessonslearned.com; they explained the bereavement process

and explains why it hurts so much to lose someone.

I have used a range of mediums including paper mashay mix, old books, acrylic paint, a lighter, PVA glue, scrap paper, craft knife, scissors, pencil, mobile camera, photocopying, mashing tape, marker pens, and InDesign Software; this has allowed me to explore a new skill in publication, which I can use in my degree course, and using different types of medium allows me to create the best effects for my book.

I think using the InDesign software was the most successful because I felt in my element and I knew exactly what I was doing. It also thrilled me to see what my

project was turning into as I was using the software. However, my least successful areas were when I was fitting everything together because I found that the old book (reused) was too big, but I managed to trim it down for a comfortable fit. Next time, I need to go more in depth with measurements. I think this would have made the process of making easier and less time consuming and stressful.

I also didn’t have time to create the folds for

the box, which hasn’t made a significant difference to the box; the side just doesn’t stay up. However, I think it would have been nice to include the folds in order to make the box seem more secure and protective over the contents.

In conclusion, this project has been a lot harder than I had imagined because there were times when I needed to edit my dad’s photos, which was very difficult; you have to focus and spend a lot of time looking at someone that you know you can’t see again, which is very hard. In some way this has helped me through the process of

bereavement (even though it has been more than a year) and it has made me realise that I can’t keep trying to ignore it. I find this a bit ironic because I have tried keeping my mind clear from everything that has happened through college work, and yet, I find that this piece of college work has done the opposite. I wouldn’t change the topic I have chosen because I like to challenge myself and I wanted to keep my work personal to me, therefore, my portfolio will be able to be filled with personality and people will be able to feel connected with

the person behind the design.