surround

For most of the included images, I’ve used Ozayr’s suggestion for design layout sources, however, some more random, possibly not even official layouts, but all inspired me in some way.

I retrieved these typical CMYK layouts off their website. Although the overall concept of the page layout, to simply include a box that bleeds to the edge at the top left doesn’t appeal to me much, other characteristics about the design do. I really like the idea of a subtle change on all the pages, as they’ve done here with the different colored box and letter, to indicate a different ‘category’ (maybe) of information. For our group’s term project, we each have a different area of sustainability that we’ve focused on, which could be well represented by a color change or slight layout change on each page, indicating separate sections while still having unity in one document.

Both of these images struck me, as they are presented in an ‘image layout’ format, but convey more of a three-dimensional quality to presenting text. I was inspired to think outside of the box a bit from this, thinking of alternate ways to present text or research. Photo-shopping text onto a wall or a tee-shirt provides interest and involvement for the user.

I chose these two to represent options for a fold-book type layout. The first, to the left, appears more as a magazine article with the entirety of both pages filled with text or image. It definitely has a presence and catches the eye with boldness, but overall appears a little cluttered and overwhelming. Alternately, to the right, is a fold layout that includes very little on the pages, with two smaller images and a small amount of text. Although this allows less room for text, its simplicity is more effective by inciting the viewer to read. I also like the asymmetry of the images, balanced in weight on either page but varying in size. For a group presentation this will be helpful, as not everyone will have the same image size. Placing these in the center will put more emphasis on the images rather than the text.

These layouts stood out to me as catchy images, as their appeal is not from the text or even necessarily from the image, but from the positive and negative spaces the text and images create. Without knowing what the text reads in the middle of the upside-down America outline, you could probably guess it was provocative, maybe an unusual statistic, some kind of information, definitely not the image title or caption. The layout to the left, without reading the text, would indication some kind of action, movement, or emotion just by interpreting the lines on the page or the juxtaposition of shapes. It will be interesting to develop the reaction we want from our term project to present in a way that evokes that response. Perhaps, as these layouts employ, we want the audience to experience the research we’ve done visually, simply supplemented by text.

These last four I chose because of their uniqueness in using basic elements and principles of design. These first two uniquely employ boundaries for the layout other than the actual edge of the paper. In the first, the lollipop defines a significant area, and defines where the text should be placed in relation. The eye is carried around the circle and down off the bottom with the stick. The layout to the right uses the stack of papers to define a clear edge on the left, but a jagged, more dynamic edge to the right. This gives the overall composition more movement and interest.

These layouts define the page through use of repetition of a particular item. In the first, the chairs provide interest and movement along the bottom, effectively dividing the composition into thirds. It makes the image more static, but moves the eye around the page, keeping it active in the text and picture. The second uses the light boxes towards the top to create repetition of line and shape. Again, it pleasantly breaks up the page and moves the eye.

While it may be difficult to decide on a layout for the term project, I think, especially through researching some of these options, it will make the research more effective and more pleasant to read. In a sense, even if the viewer was not interested in the research through the text, they still may be able to respond or react in someway to the layout. As design students, I think its vital to present information in a unique way that showcases our knowledge and field apart from all other fields who ‘do research’.