“I am still learning.” (Michelangelo)

3 Questions

Posted: November 7th, 2009 | Author: Marcelo | Filed under: Design, Term project | 11 Comments »

Here are my 3 questions. Thinking about it, I actually have more than 3, but I guess this is the limit!

1. What cover should I do? Hard cover with squares? Just a bit thicker than ‘paperback?’ I want my book to have a good distinction between the cover and the pages, but without interrupting the flow too much, as I’m planning to use my folios as a visual device (I want people to be able to flip through the book easily).

2. Should I use french fold? I think it’ll add a bit more to the book, instead of the ’standard’ way…

3. Do you think my layouts (see revised blueprint) can be used together or are they too different to be combined? Mostly I was thinking of the collages and the big type on top of photos or with small cutouts between some ‘pull quotes.’ I can also use the black and white pics to break the pacing a bit more.

Thanks!

11 Comments on “3 Questions”

  1. 1 Viktoryia said at 11:06 pm on November 9th, 2009:

    3. I think you can combine them because even though they differ a little, they still have kind of same approach which is very nice and also very appropriate to the diversity of stories that you can get in barbershops
    by the way this made me think of your layouts and style..may be you’ve seen her work http://www.cristianacouceiro.com/#94073/-Experiencia-Variacoes
    1. my vote is for soft cover (thicker than pages) :) the idea of flow is good

  2. 2 Kathryn said at 9:40 am on November 10th, 2009:

    I vote for hard cover. I think your book is just asking for it. The whole concept of barber shops…even looking at your layouts makes me think the cover is going to be strong and effective (because your spreads are all very strong and bold – you need a cover that sends that same message as soon as you pick it up)

    I don’t know if I’m making any sense, come talk to me if you’re interested.

  3. 3 Jacqui said at 12:21 pm on November 10th, 2009:

    1 & 2
    If you’re going to use french folds, it almost automatically means you should be using a hardcover.

    If you decide against the french folds (I’m still debating whether or not they would make it harder to flip through your book) I think a cover slightly thicker than a paperback is appropriate. From what I can see with your layouts they’re creating more of a casual dialogue (even though they’re bold they’re inviting), so a hardcover may be going a little overboard.

  4. 4 Christine said at 2:13 pm on November 10th, 2009:

    1. I think a softer cover (but thicker than the pages) could be used because it would be harder to flip through the book with a hard cover. Also, if you make your cover bold, like the rest of your layouts, it can still be just as strong, without being a hard cover.

  5. 5 cathy said at 3:28 pm on November 10th, 2009:

    3. Yes. I think definitely you can combine them. To me most of them have similar visual qualities.

  6. 6 Joanna said at 3:44 pm on November 10th, 2009:

    2. How many pages are you planning to have in your book and what paper stock are you looking to use? I don’t know if there is enough merit into using french-fold when it really is just “I want to make the book a bit thicker”. Whatever paper you use might end up being thick enough to give your book the substance you want. I do think that the french-fold method does give books a slightly more air-y feeling, do you want to give that feeling to your readers when they read the book?

    Might also look into if you want people to look at your pages as spreads. Using french-fold might make that a bit more difficult.

  7. 7 Rachel said at 6:45 pm on November 10th, 2009:

    1. I think Christine made a very good point: if you want to be able to flip through the book easily, a soft cover would probably work better.

  8. 8 frances said at 6:59 pm on November 10th, 2009:

    1. I’m not sure why, but I don’t see your book in hardcover.

    2. French fold (pouch fold) will fit in quit elegantly with your topic in my opinion. But it might not match well if you don’t do a hardcover.

  9. 9 Tracy said at 7:43 pm on November 10th, 2009:

    I think that the nature of your book calls for something classy like a hard cover with squares! I’m not sure. I think it’s got to do with my idea of a gentleman’s “permanent pieces” — classic watch, classic haircuts.

  10. 10 Kaycee said at 12:07 am on November 11th, 2009:

    French folds… I wish the normal paper edge wasnt so standard, I almost want to tell you to find the… sharpest… paper you can, that will give paper cuts… but on a more realistic note, I think you can rationalize both. French folds are very nice, very soft, and feel more familiar (familiar like a barber shop to a loyal customer). However, I think a normal edge fits better with the content….. maybe try cutting the paper on an angle or something to draw attention to it?
    As for the cover, I think that depends if you’re doing french fold or not. Personally I just assumed you were doing hard cover.. I’m not sure why, but it would work better with a french fold. go hard cover!

  11. 11 Wilson said at 7:04 pm on November 11th, 2009:

    1. to me it seems that the book is just asking for a hard cover, to give it that classy look as Tracy puts it, like a coffee table book maybe, I don’t know if that is what you’re going for but that’s what it seems like if you want people to be able to flip through it

    2. Also I’m not sure you should use the french fold if doesn’t really relate the content… I’m having the same issue of whether or not to go with a french fold, but for me unless I find a way to connect it in som way to the content then I shouldn’t do it, hope that helps

Leave a Reply