Attack of the spreads!

Wrapping things up...

Character Sketch

My book, entitled Cartographik, is a series of visual explorations based on maps and cartography. There is no over-arching visual theme beyond the idea that every image is based on maps; however, each spread consists of two related paged. The spreads are organized in the order I've chosen as 'curator' of this series of images. The book format is 8.5" by 11" landscape and full color.

Evolution

As you can see below my book originally began based around Lego instead of maps. I spent some time researching Lego, and even purchased some Lego bricks to start conceptualizing what I wanted to do. However, I started to feel that it was very limiting and was discouraged by what I was able to come up with. I have collected maps for a while now, and one day I was looking at one and it dawned on me that they are an excellent source of inspiration. I started working them into layouts and was really happy with what I saw. I can definitely say that now, further on down the line, that I am glad I switched my idea, even so late in the semester. I know my book is a lot stronger for it.

Choices

One of my first big decisions beyond the subject matter for the book was the dimensions of the book itself. It did not occur to me to think about that until I started getting images into the computer and had to decide what size my document was going to be. I arrived at 8.5x11 landscape just by looking at books on my shelf and seeing which ones felt right. With the right stock the pages will lay flat without the book having to be too big, and that is exactly what I was going for.

Another choice I think everyone had to make was which typeface(s) to use in their book. I tried a few different serif and sans-serif faces, eventually deciding that I wanted to use on of each since I could not decide. However, while searching for two faces that worked well together I discovered Archer, which seemed to satisfy my needs all on its own. It looks almost utilitarian to me, much like maps are meant to be, but also features ball terminals and a few other nice surprises. It looks great large and small, and I am looking forward to experimenting with it more as my book progresses.

Compromises

I think the one real compromise I had to make was limiting the time I spent on my book in order to accomplish other things. However, I plan on continuing to develop my book for Grad Show, and am really looking forward to finalizing the content and binding it myself. The school strike really messed things up, but I am happy with the way things worked out as it affords me the luxury of working on the book at my own pace in the coming months leading up to Grad Show.

Pleasures & Frustrations

Honestly I really cannot speak to any frustrations beyond the amount of time involved in putting together a really great book. There is a lot I can say about the pleasures, though! I think book design is a great hybrid of hands-on craftsmanship and traditional graphic design. I have already begun making small books based on the one I made for on of the exercises in this class. Even with my final book sitting here unfinished I am still excited to hand it in, get some feedback, and continue working on it. I have not actually bound and finished a book yet, but I really think that having a book that one has created must be one of the greatest accomplishments in design. Even if nobody else gets to see it, there is just something about the book format that seems very timeless, and I think that is something we all strive for in our work.