History of An Object Final

When we were first assigned this project I could not see what my final would look like. It sounded like one of the most difficult projects that we were to have completed this semester. But after I started working with the first test layouts, I started to feel more confident. It also didn't hurt that some of my past experience with InDesign, and book layout came back to me.

We were to choose a specific part of our history research of our assigned word from the beginning of the semester. My word was lawn and my chosen topic was the lawn mower. I decided to choose this aspect out of all of the research that was done because I wanted a bit of a creative challenge. I took a topic that I would normally associate as a dry topic; the history of the lawn mower. Through my research it became less dry, but I knew that it would be difficult to hold the audience's attention with the subject matter. So I went for a crisp and clean grid layout with creatively cut out images and illustrations. 

My main stylistic ideas that I used throughout this booklet was: analogous color scheme, same typeface, and crisply placed together grid system. The color scheme is green, yellow green, and yellow. These are colors that I closely associate with the lawn and lawn mowers. I was going for a crisp and professional without looking too corporate for my booklet visual style. I chose Trade Gothic LT Std for the typeface for my book to keep visual consistency. The typeface is elegant, but has its own personality.

I am overall pretty happy with how this booklet turned out. Once I got all of the text and images correctly following the grid lines; my confident shot up a few. Not only does the piece visually flow together on the line, but I know that it is perfectly lined up. During this project I remembered and relearned more about grid structure and efficiently using it. Due to this project I also look more closely at the specifics of keeping a consistent theme; it sounds easier than it is. When comparing different options for the text, remembering to change all of the similar pieces to be the same was difficult but definitely paid off. I also learned more about time management and taking breaks. I realized the importance of taking breaks while working on a project, not trying to finish it in a long sitting.

front cover.

introduction spread.

close up of introduction spread.

timeline spread1.

timeline spread2.

close up overview of booklet spreads.

back cover.

Final digital version of my booklet.

My Life Is Grids: a reflection

I came to KCAI as a transfer student most excited for Typography class.  At my previous school, there was one main Typography class that I had to take for my Associates in Graphic Design; that class started to change my thoughts on text and how to effectively incorporate it into design.  So, I was excited to continue to learn more about typography while at KCAI.  This was the class that I struggled with immensely in the beginning.  I started to have more difficulty with the assignments; I wasn’t used to being dedicated to iterations, variations, craft, and wasn’t comfortable using my voice to vocally state my thoughts.

This class definitely reinforced the terminology that I’m still pushing to fully understand, remember and use.  Another thing I definitely learned in this class is an emphasis on craft and how it can really make or break the piece.  I also was able to relive, re-love, and relearn my love of grids.  I am sure that grids will forever define my life; in the way that I organize, eat, sleep, and attempt to maintain sanity in this design world of ours.  Grids make and break sense, as well as rules of design.  This is what I will continue to live my life by.

Even though I started this class shaky on my craft, time management, and terminology; that has all greatly improved.  Although I’m still working on the terminology, my craft and time management has been restored to a higher level.  Time management is definitely something that I prided myself on at my last school, but I realized I was not as good at time management and quality as I should be.  So Type1 class forced me to hit more constant deadlines with a higher quality of work.

History of An Object: Close to Finals Take 2

In class today, with the professor, we went over our booklet.  We have another mock up, on the correct paper, in the style as directed by the professor due in class on Wednesday.  The final is due Friday, where we will do a full Sophomore level Graphic Design review.  Based off of feedback from Professor Lane I edited the image on the opening spread.  I ended up matching the color scheme of that image to the rest of the book.  I had much difficultly in finding the best way to make the image of the grass correspond with the rest of the book.  I natural bright greens were distracting and cut into the already established in the rest of the book color scheme.  After having been called out by Professor Lane for not using the grids correctly with everything aligning, I re-established the layout correctly spacing all elements on the various spreads.  

I know that grids are important and establish balance throughout the whole piece, but I felt that my gut reaction to layout was the best choice.  The little bit funny part about my "gut reaction" was that it could have impacted sooner had I have just stuck to the grids.  I should have followed my mind reliving the editing of layouts from yearbook, literary magazine and newspaper in high school as well as the work I'd done at my last college; but I chose to ignore it.

I am pretty confident that the whole booklet is just about done.  The only thing left to tweak is the possibility of changing the colors on the items on the actual timeline.  Other than that, the rest of the book flows nicely together with the test, images, and color scheme.

front cover.

introduction spread2.

 timeline spread1.

timeline spread2.

back cover.