Catalogue Design WIP need Advice!!!

[brokedesigner]

Hi, this is my first post at gd forums. I was looking for an active site where i could recieve some advice, I have a class project due next week and im struggling with my design. It is a catalogue design for Art Center. We were only required to do 3 spreads plus the cover but im doing a couple extra. My concept is a "campus tour" which basically means i want to include as many pictures of the campuses as possible. The layout is in a gatefold style so the pages are opened from the center out. My main problem is that i don't feel like my current design is meshing very well. And I'm unsure about my colors.
Right now the design is done with Arial font but it's just a placeholder, all type will be replaced with futura. I would greatly appreciate any critiques i know my design needs tons of work

This first page is the outer cover-the center stripe is just a representation of a plastic sleeve that will hold the book together.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f373/sauruman86/catalogue-cover.gif

this is the inner cover- the dot will be seen through the die cut on the outer cover.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f373/sauruman86/final-project-cover.gif

the rest of these pages are spreads, they are not entirely in sequencial order, i simply picked the sections that i thought would be most interesting to design.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f373/sauruman86/final-project-pg-1-2.gif

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f373/sauruman86/final-project-pg-3-4.gif

[brokedesigner]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f373/sauruman86/final-project-pg-6-7.gif

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f373/sauruman86/final-project-pg-8-9.gif

[brokedesigner]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f373/sauruman86/final-project-pg-10-11.gif

[brokedesigner]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f373/sauruman86/final-project-pg-12-13.gif

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f373/sauruman86/final-project-pg-14-15.gif

[brokedesigner]

Any comments/critiques/advice? This project is gonna be due next week on wednesday and i really want to make it good. Also i have an interview the following day with a design agency and it would likely be one of the pieces i will show.

[cyfer990]

from a quick view ... i would grade it 8/10 .
make sure you have a good balance size wise between text and pics ... don't want anybody squinting over the text, nor do you want them to read the text before the pic. It is a very good presentation. If and only if i was doing it than i would put an outline of an eye where that dot is (the dot representing the iris of it). Try giveing it a little more class by fadeing the collors outside of the pics and enhancing the colors of the pics a little more ...other than that i think you should whear a fresh tux and order some champagne your good.

[Seapony]

Welp, I think I see what you mean by meshing. In a way you've got two different themes going on. That may very well be the problem.

The fluidity, although quite good on their own, are interrupted. In your first uploads, they have a collage feel, the second with the cars are compartmentalized—I imagine you're allowing the sculptural forms of the vehicles showcase themselves.

Pick one (I suggest the collage, had more interest going on) and make sure the whole catalog flows with a similar vibe throughout.

I noticed a few of more things, quibbles mostly:

1. Type: More leading is needed in your main caption (in red). If you are intentionally tightening them then mind where the decenders fall against the ascenders (as with "expresses" and "likes"). Also never rely on the computer to do auto word breaks, looks tacky for lack of a better term. Adjust them so that the words end clean unless you're hyphenating two words. Same for the body. Also did you try flush justifying the body?

2. "Table OF contents" tighten that up, "of" has way too much space between it and the other words compared to "Art Center AT a glance." The spacing between "at" and "art center" is wider than "a glance" on the other side, unless that's intentional (right now it doesn't seem to be so).

3. Align the die cut for the eye hole with the cover. In your uploaded image it seems improperly registered. The sleeve's dot should also be registered over the cover's die cut otherwise you'll end up seeing two dots. The red sleeve when pulled off, should "reveal" the pinhole to the audience, drawing their curiosity to look in. Also make sure that it's focusing on an intersting detail on the very next page when it's lying flat.

It reminds me of the first time John Lennon met Yoko Ono in one of her gallery exhibits. You might've heard of the story—he climbed up a ladder that she set up for one of her pieces, took the magnifying glass that was set up there, and focused in on the teeny tiny word that was directly above that said "yes." The ladder, magnifying glass and small type all served a purpose in relation to one another. All worked harmoniously to draw the audience into it's world, without any of those elements the piece was pointless.

4. Because you didn't upload the cover minus the FPO sleeve I can't really crit that, however I should caution you on the use of such filters unless it's serving a specific purpose other than eye candy. Truth told, it's the "ugly duckling" of all your well thought out and attractive layouts. Not that it's butt ugly mind you, but it's the one I personally find to be the "weakest link." It almost makes me feel as though the die cut and sleeve were meant to circumvent this.

It's actually a very important point too, because the cover is what entices the viewer to open the book in the first place and poke around. It offers a taste of what's to be expected inside. Right now you haven't presented anything that remotely resembles the cover's treatment outside to the layout within.

Overall though it's very clean, attractive, thoughtful and particularly with the first set, engaging. Me likey quite a bit.

Let us know what happens with your review and interview.

:)

[tZ]

I realy like what was done with the table of contents and page prior.

After that things begin to get a little bland.

Perhaps repeat that same design approach taken on the table of contents and page above throughout the entirity of the book. This will ultimatly help unify the entire piece also.

[brokedesigner]

Welp, I think I see what you mean by meshing. In a way you've got two different themes going on. That may very well be the problem.

The fluidity, although quite good on their own, are interrupted. In your first uploads, they have a collage feel, the second with the cars are compartmentalized.

I totally agree, im just wondering what would be a way to present the student works that works well with my inital pages? Because i definately need some white space there.

Pick one (I suggest the collage, had more interest going on) and make sure the whole catalog flows with a similar vibe throughout.

I noticed a few of more things, quibbles mostly:

1. Type: More leading is needed in your main caption (in red). I definately noticed this, i think once i change the font to futura it will be better spaced out. If you are intentionally tightening them then mind where the decenders fall against the ascenders (as with "expresses" and "likes"). Also never rely on the computer to do auto word breaks, looks tacky for lack of a better term. Sorry for being a newb, but what are auto word breaks? Adjust them so that the words end clean unless you're hyphenating two words. Same for the body. Also did you try flush justifying the body?

2. "Table OF contents" tighten that up, "of" has way too much space between it and the other words compared to "Art Center AT a glance." The spacing between "at" and "art center" is wider than "a glance" on the other side, unless that's intentional (right now it doesn't seem to be so).

This is one of my main problems I know, it is because of my format which is a gatefold, so techinically between "Table" and "OF" would be a page fold. I should probably change the heading all-together yet i want it to be big, so i can't figure a better way to get it to flow between the pages.

3. Align the die cut for the eye hole with the cover. In your uploaded image it seems improperly registered. The sleeve's dot should also be registered over the cover's die cut otherwise you'll end up seeing two dots. The red sleeve when pulled off, should "reveal" the pinhole to the audience, drawing their curiosity to look in. Also make sure that it's focusing on an intersting detail on the very next page when it's lying flat.

Will definately fix that.

It reminds me of the first time John Lennon met Yoko Ono in one of her gallery exhibits. You might've heard of the story—he climbed up a ladder that she set up for one of her pieces, took the magnifying glass that was set up there, and focused in on the teeny tiny word that was directly above that said "yes." The ladder, magnifying glass and small type all served a purpose in relation to one another. All worked harmoniously to draw the audience into it's world, without any of those elements the piece was pointless.

4. Because you didn't upload the cover minus the FPO sleeve I can't really crit that, however I should caution you on the use of such filters unless it's serving a specific purpose other than eye candy. Truth told, it's the "ugly duckling" of all your well thought out and attractive layouts. Not that it's butt ugly mind you, but it's the one I personally find to be the "weakest link." It almost makes me feel as though the die cut and sleeve were meant to circumvent this.

Actually I have the cover done in vector graphics but even then i don't think it looked quite right, I might just go with a straight up photo.

It's actually a very important point too, because the cover is what entices the viewer to open the book in the first place and poke around. It offers a taste of what's to be expected inside. Right now you haven't presented anything that remotely resembles the cover's treatment outside to the layout within.

Overall though it's very clean, attractively thoughtful and particularly with the first set, engaging. Me likey quite a bit.

Let us know what happens with your review and interview.

:)

Thankyou so much for your through and thoughtful crit, i definetly have some stuff to think about now. Which reminds me do any of you know any good links to some binding techniques? I really want to do it on my own, mainly because most printing places only seem to do either A. comb binding B. tape binding or C. coil binding, all of which i dont' want to use cause their ugly.So yeah any links to websites about binding, or personal advice would be helpful. Thanks again for the crit.

[brokedesigner]

I realy like what was done with the table of contents and page prior.

After that things begin to get a little bland.

Perhaps repeat that same design approach taken on the table of contents and page above throughout the entirity of the book. This will ultimatly help unify the entire piece also. See i would like to do that however, I really feel like if add any more elements to the student works pages that it will detract from them. I really want the student works to be the focus. Originally i was going to do a faded out gallery wall in the background but i didn't like how it looked.

[Seapony]

No prob. Guess I'm feeling sort of opinionated and chatty tonight. ;)

Auto word breaks: Notice how the posts have no hyphens breaking up the words, they just move over to the next line if the whole word doesn't fit rather than splitting them up. You have that riddled all over, not very attractive to look at.

This is one of my main problems I know, it is because of my format which is a gatefold, so techinically between "Table" and "OF" would be a page fold. I should probably change the heading all-together yet i want it to be big, so i can't figure a better way to get it to flow between the pages.

Not a prob at all. You just have way too much space, tightening them so that they are almost the same distance between the other "Art center at a glance" heading shouldn't harm your layout, whether it's folded or open. You have such interest going on with the background treatment anyway that you might just get away with it without having to give it a major facelift. Also remember to evenly space out both sides of "AT" the "Art Center" spacing should work nicely as your place marker.

As for binding, it's trickier than it looks particularly when looking for something more "unique." Very easy to blow the job. I know you're a student but it'll really impress the ad firm interviewers if you invest for pro caliber. Where are you located...depending where you are I might know a couple of places for you to check out.

If you still want to have a go on your own google book binding techniques (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=book+binding+techniques&btnG=Google+Search) you'll find helpful links like these. (http://www.philobiblon.com/tutorials.htm)

Good Luck

:)

[brokedesigner]

I'm in L.A. and i haven't really found any places that do that type of binding, but if you know so i would love to check it out. Oh and while im on that subject, i have 1" margins- is that enough?

[Seapony]

I'm in L.A. and i haven't really found any places that do that type of binding, but if you know so i would love to check it out. Oh and while im on that subject, i have 1" margins- is that enough?

For the binding allowance you mean? It depends on the type of binding you finally decide to go with. That's why I say to go pro, they'll be able to answer that question best. I know a few L.A. folks, I'll ask them if they can refer me to a good printer who can do a custom bind for you.

:)

[brokedesigner]

thanks man! I'm pretty sure what i want is the perfect binding technique, one nice touch that art center includes in their exsisting brochures and catalouges is a creased line about 1/4" from the spine.

[Seapony]

I went ahead and posted in the other GD forums I hang out in (HOW, About GD, etc.) so we'll see who bites. I warn you though, it's the weekend. Party time.

What you can also do is flip open the B2B directory (if you can get your hands on one) or better yet, ask your professors, they should know a few places.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tZ
I realy like what was done with the table of contents and page prior.

...Perhaps repeat that same design approach taken on the table of contents and page above throughout the entirity of the book. This will ultimatly help unify the entire piece also.

See i would like to do that however, I really feel like if add any more elements to the student works pages that it will detract from them. I really want the student works to be the focus. Originally i was going to do a faded out gallery wall in the background but i didn't like how it looked.

I agree with tz. You can pull it off if you replace the black bar of the student work descriptions for the table of contents treatment, for example. Or just stick to the project parameters and omit the extra pages (assuming some of these are the extras, that is). If you're going to go the extra mile, don't do it wearing only one shoe. Translation: If you can't commit to one theme then stick to the refining the original project...quality is better than quantity.

:)

[CamarotaDesign]

First off let me say, I dig all the designs, except your front cover. I dont think the photoshop cutout filter works well with your other designs. I'd say just make it a high contrast black and white image that is dominantly black.

Like Pony said, you definately have two styles going. Your cover layout and inside cover (the red one) work well with your student work pages. But your table of contents page, particularly the one with the yellow is a lot different. Much more interesting too.

Maybe to add a little cohesiveness you could fragment the the black bar slightly on the student design pages something similar to what I attached. But you could probably figure more attractive shapes. I really like what you did with the yellow table of contents, it works so well with the image.

anyways, I'm sure you'll manage. Great work.

[Seapony]

Hey

Managed to get one bit of feedback.

For the ideas he can look at "1000 Graphic Elements" and "Experimenal Formats"
and I can reccomend Typecraft... http://www.typecraft.com/ though after reading his time line he is cutting a little close.
Good Luck

:)

[CamarotaDesign]

1000 type treatments is also excellent idea reference

[brokedesigner]

Hey

Managed to get one bit of feedback.


Good Luck

:)

Thanks for the info, any idea how long these things usually take. I figure i will have the final design done by sunday, but they don't seem to be open on sunday, that would leave me with a 48 hour turnover time. Is that enough?

[Seapony]

You're talking rush job at this point, which will cost more. And you're cutting it veeeery close. Truth told, I'd output two copies—a wire bind for your school's presentation and spring for a nicer bind job for the interview if you like. Not all bind techniques take the same amount of time to complete. Coils, combs and wires can be ready in 24 hours or less, rush rates, of course. Adhesive binds will take longer.

:)

[brokedesigner]

You're talking rush job at this point, which will cost more. And you're cutting it veeeery close. Truth told, I'd output two copies—a wire bind for your school's presentation and spring for a nicer bind job for the interview if you like. Not all bind techniques take the same amount of time to complete. Coils, combs and wires can be ready in 24 hours or less, rush rates, of course. Adhesive binds will take longer.

:) That's a good idea, i'll definately do that, although i did call a place in pasadena that said they could do it in 24 hours (perfect binding). But i guess it's still good to have a backup just in case.

[Seapony]

Got another reference for you.

You could try Primary Color (http://www.primarycolor.com/). I've used them for everything, and they're really good. Can get pricey, but the quality is fantastic. Talk to Chris Christianson at the OC location (949.975.1557), and he'll put you in touch with someone in the LA area.
:)

[kyao888]

This is a very nice designed and executed catalog. Great stuff here........
The only thing is that I would like to see a more consistent layout of boxes and images. You are representing a high touch product so let it be a well organized one.

-----------------------------------
Preface Media, Inc.
eCatalog|ePages|Virtual 3D|LocateMe
URL: www.PrefaceMedia.com

[brokedesigner]

wow, i haven't been on this forum in a while. Thanks for all the advice guys. It really payed off in the end. Since last semseter ive been able to secure a job at a small graphic design firm and im really learning a lot.:)