Looking at the Surface Pattern & Textile yearbook from 2009 it became apparent to our group that there are some issues we don't want to fall foul of when designing this years.
The first of which is the issue of what to put on the cover. In our opinion the image used on the 2009 yearbook could equally be for a Graphic Design or Digital Media degree. It dosen't really reflect Surface Pattern. At the very least only one approach - geometric. We discussed the issue of what to put on the cover and decided that selecting a particular individuals wouldn't really be fair. More importantly the issue of distraction from the books contents was raised. We think it better to have a plain, well designed cover (foil blocked type on a tactile stock for example) so as to remain impartial to the books contents. The idea being that there would be an explosion of colour and pattern once the book is opened.
An intersting fold has been used on the cover which in itself is a nice design feature, but we feel it has been compromised but the use of bad imagery and typography (inside fold) that does not accurately reflect the degree it has been designed for.
For the introduction pages a bright magenta has been used with black type set onto it. Bad for your eyes! It would be much better for legibility and taste for the pages to remain white with a neat grid to layout the type on. I'm thinking something quite classical and neutral. This will hopefully provide a good contrast to the colourful artist pages / patterns.
You may also note from the photographs that a high gloss stock has been used. It feels very cheap and light glares off the page. The group is all agreed that an uncoated stock would perform much better. For example, last years BAGD yearbook was printed on uncoated and it held its colour very well and was a pleasure to hold because of its tactile nature. It's this tactile nature that we feel very important to display when printing the Surface Pattern yearbook. It is probably the most important degree to provide a tactile book for because of its fabric context / subject matter.
Bleugh!
Inside the book each graduate of the course has been given a single page on which to showcase their work; the result of which is a strange layout of photos that don't really display the work to the best of its ability. We intend to address this issue of space by providing the graduates with a double page spread each. This should avoid having to cram multiple images onto a page. Also, printing at full bleed could be beneficial to this effect. Perhaps a full bleed right page to maximise the display of the work with a framed image + personal details / statement in a grid on the right hand page.
One of the biggest problems we could see from this edition of the yearbook is that although each graduate has contact information, there is no statement from them to put their work and practice into context. Its very hard to sum these things up with just a photo of their work and we feel it important to include a short statement so potential employers / clients can see where the designer places themself in industry. Above all it is a chance for them to explain their practice
Things to take from this analysis:
- Use of uncoated stock - important to use to use uncoated stock to reflect the tactile nature of the course. It will also prevent the publication feeling tacky / cheap.
- Cover image - we aim to remain neutral on the cover by not using graduates work, instead electing for a simple design that focuses on the colour / stock / type / finish of the cover. We don't want to distract people from the contents of the book. A tasteful and minimal cover will need to be designed. This will be more accurate to the course its trying to represent. To this end, art direction and applied rules to the project will be very important.
- Use of grid - we will need to employ a versatile grid that provides us with clear, concise presentation of the work and contact details. The focus of the layout should be on the work contained.
- Graduate information - it is important that along with the designers contact information there is a short statement from the designer to put their work into context. This is possibly the 2009 yearbook's biggest faux pas.
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