Project outcomes:
This project focused on exploring how texts and images could be combined within a publication, using a grid to achieve a balance between consistency and flexibility. The main challenge was to create a layout system that worked for different kinds of information and reading strategies, as well as being visually engaging and appropriate for a contemporary, adult audience. There also needed to be a sense of coherence within the publication, without the system becoming overly repetitive.
The Brief
London Essays is a publication that is currently designed by Soapbox for the Centre of London. Our task was to produce a concept or ‘spec design’ for a hypothetical ‘London essays’ book. The book aimed to showcase a selection of existing and new articles, which will have a stronger visual storytelling element than the existing publication through including a greater range of articles and images. The publisher wanted the visual identity of the book to be appropriate for the content and tone of the articles, but that they were also looking for a fresh ‘take’ on the material.
Article A was to contain at least two images to accompany the text. My aim for this article was to present both image and text clearly as well as using a 3-column grid to allow for enough flexibility to create interesting relationships between the text and image without compromising the overall consistency of the spreads. The images were to be expansive across the spreads so as to spark interest from page to page whilst allowing room for the text to sit clearly and in its own space. The end result was a six page spread which offered clean text and image on a clearly defined grid, as well as an interesting use of white space to create dynamism and flow to the overall design.
Article B was to contain no images whatsoever. My aim for this article was to present also present the text clearly using a 3-column grid. However, due to the book dimensions being unconventional to standard reading sizes, I had to present the text in a way which followed the grid without jeopardising legibility and readability of the text. Therefore, I used the two inner columns to present the text in a conventional book size and format. The large amount of white space surrounding the text would allow the reader to hone in on the centre of the page where the text could be found. Therefore, the overall reading experience of this article differed greatly from the first.
Article C was to contain at a set of images with captions pre-chosen by the author. The same concepts and principles were applied in the form of the 3-column grid and the aim for consistency yet individuality on each page. Again, in order to spark interest from page to page, images were expansive in relation to their captions. However, the use of a third typeface for the captions set them apart and allowed them to exist in their own space without falling back from the forefront of the page.
