Camille Roubik - Final Textbook Designs
This is a perfect example of a project I was not too ecstatic about initially, but gradually began to enjoy and appreciate. One of the aspects I really loved was seeing the design on the spread transfer over to multiple platforms. This is something that is so useful in the professional world, as many employers want to see a design that can be utilized and functional on various devices. After last week's critique, I decreased the type size of my timeline text, removed the drop shadows, and tweaked the position of the background image and headline. Overall, I am content with the results of the final designs and appreciative of the assignment.
Overall, this is a very successful design solution. Congrats on such a nice clean and visually impactful design. Here are my detailed comments:
ReplyDelete1. Color, although somewhat monochromatic, I think it works nicely for the design. The color palette feels sophisticated. The application of color duotones was nicely done without taking away from the text. The use of color in the timeline, was thoughtful and helped organize the information for the student. Be careful with color readability in the "call out box". If I were color blind, I would not be able to read the brownish color text on top of the green box.
2. Hierarchy, the different levels of heads gave me a good road map on how to access the text. Even without the images, the design would have held together very well. The colors of the heads were well thought out and enhanced the different level text still keeping them readable. I would bump up the ochre color with a little more red or black. Also bump up the point sizes for the B head, it's a bit too tiny.
3. Chapter Title treatment. I would assume that this would be a unique design every chapter opener. Treatments like these would not be 'templatable' using style sheets. I liked the fact that the correct words were highlighted with larger type, so it gave the reader a clue as to what the chapter was about --"Moving West". Some designers who like to play with type size forget that whenever you do something like this, it has to be meaningful and purposeful, not just a decorative approach.
4. Use of images helped break up the text well without hindering the readability and flow of the text.
5. Grid, seems a bit awkward. Page 584 (VERSO) and p585 (RECTO) has an odd grid system. I suggest making p584 have a narrower minor column and a wider major column that is more pronounced. The way it is set up right now is too close to one another that it looks like a mistake. Page 585 should have a grid that either mirrors the VERSO page, where it is flopping the orientation of the grid (major/minor) or using the same grid as in the previous page (minor/major). This will improve and truly clean up the design further. One thing about major/minor columns, it is standard practice that major columns hold the main body text and minor columns will hold the "extra" text that is supporting the major column. The minor column will usually have vocabulary words, special video features, call outs, quotes, etc. You can have imagery on either column.
6. Digital Screens seem to tie in nicely with the printed pages. I can see a good correlation between print and digital. The design is simple and allows the user to know right away how to navigate the content.