Through a feedback discussion with a number of different students, the overall main comment on the front cover design was that it needed more colour. Although the illustration was described as visually pleasing and interesting to the eye, the lack of colour meant that they felt they would not be drawn to it in a social, busy environment. This is something that is important for the handbook design to achieve as it will be placed among other free publications to pick up. It was suggested that adding more detail to the piece would enhance the design. These comments will inform the development of the illustration for the final print. One way that has been suggested by a tutor to enhance the 'wow' factor to the design is adding a small element of foiling to the wayfinding design element of the front cover. This is something to experiment with however when thinking of the publication commercially, this process would take more time and money to produce the piece.
Questions:
1. Do you think the overall design of the page is consistent throughout? Why?
- Yes, until you reach the double page with the full bleed image although each of these pages are consistent with each other
- Yes, the content reads well and has a continuous flow making it easy to read
- The positioning of the text on each page is consistent which enhances the flow of the book when reading quickly - your eyes know where to look on each page before you're there
- Try experimenting with the grid used on the individual pages on the double page with the full bleed image. The images on the right hand page are not positioned in the same place as the others creating an inconsistency
- Yes, the eye is drawn to the same place on each page making the content easy to read
2. Is the size of the handbook appropriate to the purpose? Why?
- Yes, as a handbook it needs to be easy to hold (which it is) without being so small you can't read or view the content properly
- It may be nice as a smaller publication although this would mean the full bleed images wouldn't have as great effect
- Yes, it is easily to hold and would fit into coat pocket/bag
- Yes, typical size you would expect for a handbook/guide book
3. If you saw the handbook in the student union area, would you want to pick it up and look at it?
- Yes, although the design is simple my eye is drawn to the piece through the subtle colours and simplistic design
- No, I'm not keen on guide books therefore this wouldn't interest me
- Not sure, it is somewhere I don't know of therefore not sure whether I would be interested in the content - although this is a valid comment, I disagree with what is said as the handbook is there to inform the person of the town therefore no prior knowledge is needed
Through a further feedback discussion with a member of the target audience of the handbook who is also aware of the town, alternative suggestions were made. These suggestions are of high importance due to their existing knowledge of the town. Comments such as adding the landmarks to the map would be beneficial to the audience as it gives them a wider selection of information. In other words, having more information available to the reader will enhance their knowledge of the town therefore further encouraging them to visit the town.
This test print was printed on A4 and then trimmed down rather than A3. This caused an issue with the full bleed images as they were scaled down to fit the page and also meant that the handbook was overall a smaller size. The change in size meant that when the booklet was then folded and stapled the images were not always correctly positioned. This test was completed as if the handbook were to be commercially printed, it would be more cost effective to print using A4 paper rather than A3. However, due to these issues being present, the design would need to be adjusted so that these printing errors do not occur. This would simply involve having no bleed on the images therefore there would be some white space around the edge of the image.
Having made subtle adjustments such as the inside margin to suit the binding method and the change of the type size, there are a few areas that still need changing. This is simply due to not being able to see the detail on the computer screen and is therefore only present in print. This has highlighted the importance of doing one or more test prints before the final production. Having noticed these adjustments before the final print they are able to be amended so that the final design is to printed to the highest quality.
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