#p. typeradio

[masonmaye]

Final Typeradio printed spreads

[masonmaye]

Evaluation : Typeradio

After receiving the Typeradio brief, I was a little daunted. I really struggle with editorial design and this was never going to be a favourite project.  I chose Sara de Bondt as my designer as I found her voice really interesting, and I felt that I could do something experimental with the topics she talked about. I looked at a few different interviews Sara has done, but in the end I decided to transcribe the Typeradio interview myself, as I felt it was more fitting to the brief. I fully analysed the interview, and I came across a few possible topics I could have visited (habits, heritage, being remembered, individuality etc.) but I decided to focus on awkwardness, and how she approached the interview and interacted with Donald and Leisre. The short image generation project was really helpful in terms of opening up my mind to new ideas. I am very comfortable working traditionally, so I expanded my skills through the collage/photo/illustration, finding new art inspirations and a drive to make some good looking visuals. Following the mini project, I created my final visuals using cardboard and paint. This is a strong skill of mine, and even though I am glad with the results, I really want to try not playing to my strengths and learning something new. Due to my uncomfortable-ness with layouts, I did a lot of research into layouts that were visually appealing as well as being good designs. It took me a while to get my head around using a grid structure properly, and I did some analysis on some popular publications to figure out their systems.  I drew out a LOT of layout designs, as I was unsure of how I wanted my editorial to look. Through creating designs, I came up with some basic design concepts for the piece. My final design has taken a lot of tweaks and changes, and it was really developed into something that looks half decent. I have played around with every single element, and I really gave myself a challenge (as usual) as I wanted to make my layout look visually awkward, but it also had to be good design. I’m pleased with the final look, and pleased with my progress. The only concern is that readers would be took confused by the layout to read, or would take one look at the interview and not bother to read it.  I have a learnt a lot in this project, I have developed more of a designer eye, and  I am much more comfortable with InDesign. I’m still not a fan of editorial design, and I can’t see myself enjoying it, but I have developed my skills and gained new ones. This project hasn't been strong or favoured, but I’m enjoyed the journey and the final outcome.

[masonmaye]

Specification

Type

Header - Gurmukhi MN, Bold. Ft. 68 pt., Ld. 45 pt. Sub Header - Gurmukhi MN, Bold. Ft. 16 pt., Ld. 18 pt. Intro - Sukhumvit Set, Regular. Ft. 13 pt., Ld. 15 pt. Quote - Gurmukhi MN, Bold. Ft. 45 pt., Ld. 45 pt. Question - Gurmukhi MN, Bold. Ft. 9.5 pt., Ld. 11 pt. Answer - Sukhumvit Set, Thin. Ft. 9 pt., Ld 11 pt.

Paper

As referenced and researched in my sketchbook, if I were to have my editorial spread printed in a customised magazine, I would prefer to source my paper from G.F Smith; specifically from their Occasions Applied range. I would choose the GSM range of 300-350, as this is quite a heavy paper stock, and feels very unlike a normal magazine. I decided this would be fitting with my spread concept of awkwardness; magazines are usually slim and easy to roll and put in a bag, but this paper wouldn’t allow this, and if it were to be rolled there would be creases and breaks in the paper, making the reader abide by the rules of the paper. The G.F Smith paper also has a really nice textured feel that would give the magazine a bit more depth and personality. I would chose Callisto Pearl, as it’s a slightly off white that would suit the awkwardness, as It’s not a pure colour. I also had an idea of printing the editorial on heavy cardboard, so to mimic the visuals I created for the spread, but this isn’t very realistic! 

[masonmaye]

Polymer Plate Printing.

A few weeks ago Hannah and Laura inducted use with a new print press, using polymer plates to created built up designs with two colours. It was really rewarding to learn how to use a new press, especially as Vis Com owns it! The patterns we created were really summery, and as a small group we had a say in colour choice and ink build. I really enjoyed this workshop, as it was a nice hour to just recharge and learn something new.

[masonmaye]

Layout Evaluation

My concept for this layout is Awkwardness, due to Sara De Bondt’s awkward interview for Typeradio. It’s something I kept picking up on and I feel that it was a good, broad choice for a layout concept. Initially I want to make the whole layout awkward; odd pages, overlays, french folds, varying type sizes etc. but after a few tutorials, I realised that this would have been way too much for a reader to handle, and it would have been easy to slip from good design into something over-stylised to prove a point. I kept returning to awkward elements throughout the growth of the layout, using crooked pictures, scattered text boxes, large : small text ratios etc. and I had to keep scaling the stylisation back, which was difficult as I still need to figure out that simple isn’t always a bad thing. I was inspired for my final layout through a set of typographical prints by Alan Kitching. This inspiration came to me quite late in the project, but it was really helpful in terms of tying my designs together. I originally wanted to incorporate more colour into the layout, but using one blue, black and white helped the layout from being too busy, and the white space works really well.  In terms of visuals, I need up creating a lot of alternative versions, playing around with colour photographs, different patterns, and typographic pieces. In the end I picked 4 images that worked well together; 2 large and 2 small. Both of the large images have the same concept, but the execution sets them apart and allows them to be stand alone pieces. The visuals are strong, and I feel they really compliment the simple yet interesting layout. The page I had the most issues with was the first page of the first spread. The ‘front’ page should be impactful, and should catch the eye of the reader. I kept experiment with different header fonts, different layouts, alternating text box sizes and adding in sub-headings and introductions. I’m still not completely happy with it, but I feel the quirky nature of the page would hopefully catch some readers.

My target audience for this layout would be designers, people who are intrigued by interesting design, and casual readers. even though my concept is awkward, and reading the interview takes more than a quick browse. But I hope it would attract people and make them want to read more, and learn more about this quiet yet punchy designer. I like to think that I would be intrigued by this layout, and I think others would too.

This layout project has been very tough, and I have learnt a lot from it through making mistakes and correcting them. I have a better handle of good design and I am starting to understand the use of grid structures and how to layout a design concept. It’s not at all what I imagined at the start of the project, but I like how the overall feel is quite cool and calm, yet in a disjointed and slightly ‘off’ manner. There is pattern, but also rebellion within the layout. I feel it suits the interview; orderly yet awkward.

[masonmaye]

Deciding on titles.

One of the aspects of my layout which I’m still not sure about is my title and the form of it. I tried using a set font for the title, but I felt that it didn’t stand out well enough, or suit the feel of the article. @winonaottoblog suggested that I used type that was similar to the cardboard visuals I created, so I tried that out but the layout then became too black and white. I added a blue tint on top which helped, but then there was too much black space around the title. I then cropped the type with a thinner outline, but now the type looks a little cartoony. I think I might manipulate the type a bit more to see what it looks like. 

[masonmaye]

(excuse the awful photo quality)

]Yesterday on the Pick Me Up Somerset House Trip, I was particularly inspired by Alan Kitching and his early typography for my editorial layout. What stood out to me was the placement of the text on the page, drawing in the viewer and also making them read awkwardly. The text becomes a piece of art, as it gets closer together and the angles change. I was looking for a reference for awkward spacing/layouts and this might hit the spot.

[masonmaye]

During my tutorial, Rich and Hannah suggested that I edited my photos a bit more colour wise, to help hide imperfections and fit with my layout a bit more. I really don’t like the half tone, and I don’t think it works with my concept, but I do like the B&W but it needs a little more editing.