Compositions

Something that I picked up on from my book research was the continuation of an illustration from left to right. This is a technique that is used to guide the reader from one page to the next. As I want to keep to a consistent design throughout the book, I was unsure whether bringing in this method would look out of place with the design of the book. After experimenting with this style it has become clear that having an element of the design on the page with the text is important as it creates a flow to the book.  

Reflection

From looking back through the sketches that I completed for the poster design it has been made clear that decisions need to be made in terms of the specific design of the promotional designs. This will require a whole group contribution as there are important and influential decisions that need to be made. 

Experimenting with type

After researching and downloading typefaces that have been designed for children, I began experimenting with the wording in the book. I have firstly chosen to use Bembo Book. This typeface is  more of a classic style font that works effectively with the illustrative style that I have chosen.  

1. Bembo Book

2. Bembo Book

I had originally thought that I would keep the text in the book very simple, using only a few words. However, comparing it to the more structured style sentence, having more detailed wording provides a consistency throughout the pages and gives off a more children's book feel. I am going to continue with this wording as I experiment with the typefaces. 

3. Sassoon

4. Gill Sans Infant

5. Plantin Infant

After working through each of the typefaces and reading back through the article that I have previously made notes on, I have made the decision to go with two typefaces for the book. Through a feedback discussion it was brought up that having a separate typeface for the title gives the book definition and adds more personality to the style. After this comment I then asked which typefaces worked well together as I didn't want to very different styles being on the same page. The conclusion was that Gill Sans infant would be used for the body text and Plantin Infant for the title of the book. Each of the typefaces have a soft appearance which is something that brings them together on a page. It was also said that the reader felt more relaxed when reading these typefaces which is something that you want to achieve when designing a children's book.

Page set up

As I had produced a paper mock up of the potential layout of the book, when it came to setting up the indesign document, it meant that I was able to set an appropriate page number, margin and grid. Due to the size of the book I have set the page size to A3. In total there is 32 pages but as they are double sided there will be 16 double page spreads in total, minus the front and back cover. From the indesign workshops I have learnt that a book is printed in 4's therefore when designing the template for the book it was essential to ensure that the amount of pages was a multiple of four. The margin on each page is set so that there will be no text lost to the fold of the book as well as making sure that the images and text are centred when the paper is cut down after print. The bleed has been set at the standard 3mm as from my plan, there should be no full pages images therefore this is not necessarily needed. I have used a simple grid of separating each page in to quarters. This will ensure that the text and illustrations are centred which is important with children's books because if you want the child to engage with reading the story, then the text must be easy for their eyes to follow and to maintain interested in reading. 

Digital Designs

Taking into considering the feedback that I received I have now moved on to digitally setting up the designs. In the feedback it was said that screen printing would be the most effective and visually appealing process to use. From my research I know that this limits me to the number of colour the design can have, as well as the size of type. As I am still practising this process, I would like to keep the design as simple as it can be without loosing to much of the important detail. This is because with screen printing the different colour prints have to line up exactly otherwise the final print will be unsuccessful. 

Coldplay theme:

Glastonbury Space Theme:

Typography for Children

As I am nearing completion of the illustrations I wanted to start looking at the production of the book. From my A-level course in English Language, I learnt a lot about the way that children learn to read and talk. This knowledge will be particularly useful when putting together the content of the book as I will be able to choose an appropriate typeface, font size and colour. This is important as I want the book to be produced as if it were being published and not just for the brief. 

A useful article that I found by Ilene Strizver, Typography for Children will inform the decisions that I will make, as well as carrying out primary research, asking children on whether they are attracted to the book, as well as parents.


Text Legibility (Typeface choices)
- the counters should be rounded and open (Sassoon Primary)
- avoid non-traditional letterforms
- larger x-heights are generally easier to read
- avoid condensed or expanded typefaces (this makes character recognition more difficult)
- a book or medium weight is most appropriate


Typefaces designed for children
- serifed Bembo Infant
- Plantin Infant
- Gill infant
- Sassoon Primary

Making the text readable
- 14 to 24 point with 4 to 6 point leading (new readers follow words from left to right and jump their eyes from the end of one line to the beginning of another)
- short line lengths
- not too much text on a page
- avoid all caps setting
- ample contrast between the type and background


Headlines and Titles
- can be more playful in style, colour and layout (fewer words therefore acceptable)
- decorative typestyles, colour, curved and jumping baselines can be sed to attract a younger audience
- light and fun ! 

This is just a few notes that I have made from the article which I will thoroughly refer to when deciding on a typeface and setting the point size etc. 

Illustrations

Not in order

 

   

Research/Sketches

Following the contract roles, I have started sketching out ideas for a poster design for the event. For the sketches I have taken into consideration the style that we discussed as well as using research to influence my idea process. 

Using the images as my influence I sketched through a number of different ideas. This will meant that when we regroup I will be able to discuss my ideas as well as having a visual to explain. I have also shown these designs to the group so that they have an idea of the type of direction I am going in. 

Although this design works really well in some cases, there is too much information for it to be readable. People would naturally have a tendency to read from left to right therefore the information would not be clearly understood. This has shown me that this design style is not appropriate for the type of poster that I am producing for the exhibition. 

Group Decision

After regrouping and discussing our opinions on the individual ideas we now have a clearer picture of the direction that we are going in. The group is so far working well together and we are easily bouncing ideas of each other. This has meant that before the Easter break we have been able draw up a contract and guidelines to follow when completing work for the proposal. 

Guidlines:

Typeface 
- bp dots (alter so closer together?)
- helvetica

Colours
- red
- green
- black
- yellow/orange

Over the Easter break we are individually going to sketch ideas for our area of work. This will mean that when we come back after Easter we will be able to put all the ideas together and then produce the outcomes. Although this will give us a limited amount of time to produce the designs, there is no way for us to openly discuss this without being in the same room together. However, the group chat will mean that we can stay in contact with what each stage we are all at and share what we have been doing. 

Illustration Process

The process for the illustration involves building up a number of layers. I have demonstrated this through the images below. Certain areas such as the eye and nose are more detailed where as the rest of the design is more freehand and just going with what feels right with the pen. I have used a wacomb tablet to complete each of the illustrations as this is the hand rendered way that I like to work.