OUGD504 STUDIO BRIEF THREE - PAGE LAYOUT SKETCHES

Following on from the research into Cabin Porn book, the next step was to create some sketched page layouts for each element of the book based on the kind of layouts that will fit to the environment and nature, tree theme that is going to be applied to the book.

First it was recorded what page layout sketches actually needed to be produced.

Front cover sketches. Here it was thought about using a leaf pattern as a pattern for the cover with a white band with text on, to make the title clear and ensure it doesn't blend into the pattern. This same layout was experimented but with a photograph full bleed in place of the pattern, which may reflect the photographic nature of this book more accurately. The title just on the pattern was also tried, however even in this sketch it is difficult to read the title. The same was tried with the photograph, which could have varying results based on the nature of the photograph itself, however the chances of it having the same impact as if it was placed on a white band or with some sort of white box around it is slim. A layout with the leaf pattern in the background and the title inside a small circle centrally aligned, and also a larger circle so that it extends off the sides of the page was also experimented with, to give it a slightly different angle. The smaller circle idea could work really nicely, acting almost as a looking hole into the content of the book. This could also potentially be cut out to reveal the title of the book on the page beneath, which may create an interesting element. The larger circle would create more of a rounded banner effect, however it doesn't look that aesthetically pleasing.

The back cover should be designed to reflect the design of the front cover, to create a seamless appearance throughout the whole cover, therefore each back corresponds to their respective front cover. On each a bar code has been applied, as would be necessary for the book to go on sale commercially, however when actually producing the book this addition may not be necessary as it isn't going to be produced commercially, although this is something to take into consideration to show where it could be placed. A white band has been placed across the first two layouts, thus matching their respective front designs. However on the third and fourth designs, a rectangle has been placed in the centre of the page, with leaf pattern and photograph surrounding it, which perhaps in hindsight this is a layout which could work for the front cover as well, instead of placing the title directly on the imagery. On the last two designs the same circles have been applied to the back cover as the front cover, creating continuity, and however the smaller circle works just as well on the back as the front, this circle design doesn't fit within the theme of tall trees, and all the imagery being tall and thing, a circle is the opposite of this. Perhaps a circle could be a side element within the book.

The introduction page posed many different possibilities for layout, such as the text in a circle surrounded by a photograph, or with individual leaves branching out from it, either across one one page or a double spread. The tall, thin tree theme was adhered to in most of the layouts, ensuring the text box was tall and thing, or the photograph created tall thin spaces within the page. 

Before thinking about the contents page layouts, it was important to think about what chapters the book was going to be split into, as this is a massive influence on the design.

Contents page experiments. This page posed many opportunities for the tree theme to be showed at it's best, with the text and each chapter shown in lines. It was thought to have the text in almost a bar chart kind of layout, as if the trees are growing up from the ground. The circle idea was also experimented on, however it looks a bit too forced, like it's trying too hard to be random.

Continuation of contents page layouts. The bar chart style layout was also tried horizontally, as the text may not be that legible if it is vertical. An interesting layout was with the chapter titles being vertical, but separated by leaves dropping down from the top of the page, as if the leaves are falling from the trees as they do in autumn. This could create an interesting illustrative design. The same layout was also tried but with thin strips of photographs coming down from the top of the page, gradually fading out in a gradient, to create the same affect. Perhaps this would be more effective if it faded upwards, as if the trees are growing, although this may make the text harder to read. More layouts experimented with the text on one page and a photograph or the leaf pattern on the other page, however this may look like space is trying to be filled.

The chapter title pages from the Cabin Porn book were a massive influence for these designs, as they were so minimal and photographic, and worked so well. A lot of the designs therefore have included a large amount of imagery, with the title just a small part of the design, usually placed on one side of the spread. The strip of photograph with a fading gradient has been used twice, with the title between two strips vertically, however the text may not be that easy to read. Another style is with the text on it's own or within a circle, with individual leaves branching out, similar to one of the introduction page layouts, which could be quite illustrative, however it could also appear slightly feminine as well, which is something to avoid.

Letter content pages. This was more challenging to ensure the photograph was centre stage, but still left space for the text, and all the while fit within the tall tree theme as well. The spacing surrounding the photograph will also vastly depend on the actual size of the photograph, as these are only sketches, therefore sizing is not accurate when it comes to photographs. Layouts looked similar to magazine page layouts almost, with space for a photograph, and text in the surrounding spaces in columns, however this looks a bit too structured. There were many different variations of full or nearly full bleed photograph with text in long thing boxes, however the real layouts with correct spacing will come when these are produced digitally, and an actual size of the pages will be determined.

These sketches have really helped to determine what kind of aesthetic the book can realistically achieve, and the different possibilities that might not of been thought of if layouts were taken straight onto Illustrator. These layouts are a good guide of what is hoped to be achieved, however the size of each photograph will determine exactly what size the pages will be and what the spacing will be, as the pages should fit around the photographs, as these are the main focus rather than the other way around. The next stage will therefore be to produce some of these layouts digitally with the photographs that will be used, to see what can be achieved and what can't, and whether some layouts that looked effective sketched look just as effective digitally.