Research, Ideation, and Process

This project was an assignment for a Typography class. We were asked to create a layout and typeset a short story.

The process for this project started with researching and learning about traditional book layouts, specifically the Van De Graaf canon. Then, I sketched thumbnails for a variety of pages including the title page, pages of text, and a colophon. I got feedback and transferred the thumbnails into InDesign using the Van De Graaf canon to perfect the layouts. 

To get a better understanding of how the words were sitting on the page, I printed out some type tests. Each with a few different typefaces, with different point sizes, and leading.

After the type tests, I printed out and stapled the pages together to create an early prototype. This helped me see how the pages flowed together. I got feedback and moved into the final stages of production.

I chose to create two paper variations. Using an awl and some wax-covered string I stitched the pages together and created the final book. I’m particularly happy with how the red/blue variation came out.

This project taught me some of the features of InDesign, like utilizing the character and paragraph styles. This project also gave me a deeper appreciation for more subtle and classic typesetting. Sometimes less is more!