version 1
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click to enlarge version 2
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I'm a little nervous about doing this: It seems a bit unprofessional, perhaps. But - Help! The book covers are ready for their signatures, and I am still waffling about page layout. Do the architectural detail vignette sketches work better in a column or in a row?
Often, when you design something, you are just too close to be your best critic. It is really important to me that This is Savannah Vol. 2 be Perfect for the People.
So - If you please...Which page layout do you prefer: 1 or 2?
Posts
30 comments:
Hey Kirsten. I like the column layout better but I like the way the grey border works in the other layout. Any way to mesh the two together? Not helpful am I?!
Chelsey via facebook: i think i prefer row, although it may not be the orientation of the book.
(Wisdom from the book guru, herself!)
Michael via facebook: I like version 1. (Sorry I didn't comment on your blog - I'm not set up with an account but I do love to look in on you there pretty frequently. Your work never ceases to amaze me!)
Hi, I like the version without they grey because it looks more like it was made on a printing press. The grey makes it feel more like a computer generated graphic. I do like the detail sketches running horizontally across the top though.
I'm leaning towards the column but also like the grey border of the row. Not too helpful either. What is the overall scale and orientation of the book?
Awesome. Thanks, friends.
smartin - RIGHT ON.
BethVW - the 11x17 page will be folded in the middle. All 20 11x17pages will be folded and taped to create an 8 1/2x11 accordion signature.
Amy via facebook: Version 1!
Terry via facebook: version one... this is such a great project.
(Wow - one of my favorite professors! Thanks!)
My vote is also for version 1. Good luck on your new book!
Elaine via facebook: version 1. i agree with smartin (blog) about the gray.
i might have to see how it folds...? Just evaluating the whole thing as a composition the column in Version 1 seem to be competing with the main organizational principle(horiztonal).
V2, every time!
Jill via facebook: Hey Kirsten, I vote for Version 1. One thought. I feel like it in a spread it will feel very heavy on the left side. Is there a way that you could have the logo element within the box on the left side and the column of graphics on the right? Or leave the column and put the logo with the touch of color to the right? Or perhaps have the top or bottom half of the column on the right? Just a thought, feel free to ignore me. It looks awesome though. How exciting!!!
Jill, Excellent suggestion. The other pages feature longer blocks. So, the streetscape drawing starts at the same point at left and fills the page, so no room for the column. In fact, that white space on the right bugged me so that I designed v 2.
This page/block is an anomaly - so, not a good test page! If they were all like this, I would totally swap the column. (You rock.)
i like the horizontal layout, but agree the gray makes it look more 'modern' (digital) than the layout with them on the left.
however that layout seems unbalanced or unfinished to me...in its own way it reminds me of a digital toolbar waiting for me to pull and place them somewhere...sorry i don't imagine this helps.
how about go horizontal, but have the images BE gray instead of IN gray. that way the horizontal pleases the eye, but they don't overpower the main image.
I like version two better. It is more balanced than one. But I do not like the gray. It makes it difficult to see the figures (at least on my computer). Hope life is treating you well in DC.
Stacy via facebook: Hello Kirsten, I like version 2. I think the grayish tint gives it the "historic" feel it needs to wrap this up and go to print. Good Luck. Let me know when I can purchase my copy.
Travis, GREAT comment. It does look unfinished. This page only is a short block. The other pages are filled by the streetscape drawing.
I originally lined the vignettes wihtout a grey bar but thought they looked too random, ungrounded. I've posted that version. What do you think?
Thank you!!
Jill via facebook: Yeah if it is only one page in your book that has the extra white space to the right, I'd say it's fine as is!
i see....hm...
what size is the finished book? (sorry if i missed that) to me i think in both cases, the extra, small elements are too small. the busy clutter of them (i use that word constructively) looks sparse when horizontal, and distracting when on the left.
two things come to mind- using the existing gray bars, or making a gray portion on the left, go simple: instead of using all these delicious little details on the front left, pick one or two faves and blow them up within the gray area. let much of them crop off. zoom in on an architectural detail or two, and it'll look like an abstract pattern of white in that gray zone.. covers should be about simplicity and teasing you with what's to be inside. :)
Jill via facebook: I like how your other spread of version one looks with the streetscape to the end of page! The layout does work well. For version two, i personally like your drawings dark, not reversed out. It feels more drawn to me to have the linework dark. What about a very light grey horizontal stripe with dark drawings on top? Instead of white linework on dark? Just another thought!
Version 1. It looks more polished having them stacked together than strung out across the top. Are you going to be in town on December 4th for the book release? I hope so!
Jay via email: I prefer Version 2. In Version 1 the little guys compete for attention with the House facades. The grey border and even spacing of the details set these comfortably apart and reduce the extra white space. Could the facades be larger so the white space was less equal to the drawings? I'm thinking enlarging the facades and trimming the grey border...
miss b via email: the first one would make it look more letterpressy while the second looks better for graphics and on screen. My first reaction was the second but I think it's because it reads better on screen. I know that's not how your book will be so I think I'm for number one then.
Melena via facebook: Version 1, I like the column. They both look great though.
BJ via facebook: I vote for version #1
I have yet to read anyone's comments, because it may taint my opinion. But immediately, I was more drawn to #1.
Good luck
xo
Gerard via email: I vote for #2.
Definitely version 2.
Definitely version 2.
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