Thursday 28 November 2013

OUGD504: Design for Print

Developing my concept.

I used InDesign to begin experimenting with different layouts for each chapter.
I wanted these to remain consistent, but each with a simple unique reference to the relevant topic.

Initially, I placed each quote into Indesign. I set the pages up next to one another to see how they worked as a series as well as working as individuals. I already knew I wanted to work in A3 format so I used this for my page setup.

I kept the design as basic as possible to begin with. Instead I focused on the layout, positioning and structure of the series of quotes. Initially, I worked in Helvetica and Arial. These were appropriate as they are both clear and bold typefaces with a wide range of weights to experiment with.





In order to help me get a better understanding of the layout and structure of my publication, I wrote down a list compromising of the key elements I needed to take into consideration. This was a useful way to consider how each page would work visually. By doing this, I was able to think about each page individually and list each material and print process needed specifically for each page. 


Materials I need:
  • Acrylic plastic
  • Accetate
  • Tracing paper
  • Reflective plastic/paper
  • Ordinary paper/card
  • Black card - otional for experimentation.
  • Material for box packaging/ bag packaging - unlikely and would be considered last depending on time.

I then placed all of the pages into an Illustrator document as small thumbnails. I printed this out as a visual reference. It was also a useful way to compare my chapter pages against one another.
I printed the thumbnail versions out onto A4 and wrote notes underneath each page to help plan my time effectively.



I began developing my chapter page designs in InDesign. Previously, I had just been working in Arial. I wanted to find a different typeface which worked more effectively with me concept. I thought it would be most appropriate to use a bold and capitalised typeface for the chapter pages. This was important as the chapter pages were the core element holding my concept together. 

A few typefaces I considered included:

Arial
Although this is highly legible, I found arial plain, boring and dull. It was a good typeface to begin my development, however not ideal for the bold and inspiring approach I wanted to take with my publication.

Comfortaa
Comfortaa is a more unusual typeface, however it is only available in this weight which I thought seemed too unevenly spaced. 

Arial Bold
Arial Bold capitalised was closer to what I was looking for. Although it still seemed slightly boring and over-used. 

American Typewriter Regular
American Typewriter gave the quote a completely different feel. Although I think it works quite nicely, it seemed a bit too traditional. 

Franchise
Franchise had the ideal look for my publication quotes. It is modern, bold and more stylish than the commonly used sans-serif typefaces such as Arial and Helvetica.

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Once I was decided on the fonts and styles I wanted to work with, I began applying these to my publication in Indesign alongside mockup pages of content. The screenshots below show each page. These do not use my own content, they were put together using other web sources as a layout example for my peers to review in our final design for print crit….

Pages 1&2


Pages 3&4

Pages 5&6

PAges 7&8

Pages 9&10

Pages 11&12

Pages 13&14

Pages 16&17

Page 18
Although in this InDesign version, the entire publication is presented in black and white, I had plans to use a range of stocks and processes. The general stock for the chapter content was to also be printed on slightly textured off-white paper stock - either watercolour or antique paper.

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As I was aiming to work with a range of printing methods, I needed to consider both types of silk-screens. I exposed my quotes on to a fabric screen first. This was going to be used for my flocking, foiling and heat-reactive printing. I also exposed the quotes onto a paper screen in order to screen-print the remaining quotes. I decided the most efficient way to do this was to fit all of the quotes together onto A1 sized screens. I was advised I would achieve the best results if I left approximately one hand space in width from the border of the screens.

Each screen was exposed individually in the UV light unit

They were then rinsed with cold water and a sponge to reveal the exposed text. 

For the fabric screen (shown below), I had to remove two of the quotes. This was because the screen was a more unusual, and smaller size. This wasn't a problem however, as I only needed a select few exposed onto this screen. 


I used washing-up liquid to degrease the screens. Once this was rinsed off, the screens were left over night to dry.

For my first attempt at foiling and flocking, I bought a small selection of samples and mediums. As I wasn't decided on a specific stock for these quote pages, I wanted to experiment with a variety to see which outcome was most effective.
The materials I needed were:

champagne foil
gold foil 
black velvet flocking
glue
black card
antique white paper
white card
mountboard

Firstly, I added a tiny amount of water to the glue. This was to help prevent it from blocking my screen as quickly. The glue was then applied to the fabric screen and printed using the same method as screen printing.

I was tempted to leave the glue as a print itself as it came out nicely on the black card.
The two quotes I was concentrating on at this stage were:

"…While good design is a mirror" - this was to be foiled to resemble a mirror-like reflection.
"Behavioural design is all about feeling in control. Includes usability, understanding, but also the feel" - this was to be blocked with a furry material such as felt or velvet, encouraging users to feel the texture.

Preparing the heat press for flocking and foiling
For the best results, it was crucial to allow for the glue to dry, and ensure the heat press was set up correctly.

Foiling: heat - 160degrees for 12seconds
Flocking: heat - 170degrees for 10seconds

Once the heat press was set up correctly, I began applying my materials to the glue. My first experimentations were using foiling.








Next was the flocking


I liked the imprint left in the flocking material after the process was complete. Its not like anything I've seen before. I also liked the three-dimensional element, it was a shame I couldn't incorporate this into my publication.




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I included my own name on the last page, written in the same style as the names beneath each quote. This was to keep my publication consistent, and to also conclude the publication as my own.


After experimenting with foiling and flocking, I discovered that it was going to be difficult to successfully print the names beneath each quote. Although they were visible in some attempts, the names were not legible, and therefore did not serve any purpose. To resolve this, I decided to print the names digitally, and add the flocking, foiling, screen-print etc afterwards. In order to this, I would need to extremely careful when lining my pages up to ensure the best possible outcome. 

As this was the first time I had attempted something like this, I created two versions of my publication in InDesign: one with all the content, except the quotes - to be manually printed onto after. And another to be printed completely digitally. This would work as a back-up if my other publication were to be unsuccessful. If both publications were successful, one would work as a hard-copy, and one as a soft-copy and less valuable.. In some ways like a Teacher's and a Student's copy. 


The final outcomes are shown below (including an online Issuu version to read):


Soft-cover copy of the final publication

Digital PDF version of my publication created using issuu.com