illustration...

Ok, so after our chat today I felt like I had to let you in on things cause I'm having so much fun creating these!

Bear in mind, this is still not finished artwork!

I do like the two tone background - it allows for the photo elements and the characters to pop out much more. This was a style popularized in kid's books of the 50's and 60's and I'm giving it a modern twist. Not that different than the tests earlier this year, but I've got a more controlled colour palette and I'm liking how it helps direct the eye to the elements that are most important.

I'm not happy with the stylized brush part on the image on the right hand side, so that and the colour need to be tweaked. As well, I've decided to re-jig all text to have it read left justified, rather than full justification with last line centre justified, so the overall page look WILL be different.

Never-the-less, here's how things are looking for page 12-13....

font part 3

Ok, so I've looked at countless additional fonts in renowned kids books (sendak, munsch and more) and while there isn't a go to font, there are a few that keep coming up. Couple this with another conversation I have had with a type guru and I now present a few more fonts for consideration.

The first is a sans serif font that is clean, simple and very readable, called news gothic:

The second is a serif font, popular with Munsch books and other children's books, Caslon Pro:

Finally, another serif font, Adobe Garamond, one of the oldest typefaces we have, but Adobe's version is fresh and very readable.

font part 2

Here is a spread using comic sans on the top left and on the right, but chalkboard on the bottom left - they are similar but if you look closely, the chalkboard is not as "tall", has softer curves on letters like the "m", is more up and down (note slopes in the letters, like "h" in comic sans, and to my eye, is more readable than comic sans...

font

Have tried two new fonts based on my chat with a graphic designer friend...

Here is the first, using a more "serious" font (New Century Schoolbook - used for readers for kids):

Here is an option that is closer to the original:

And here is the original, for comparison:

Full version rough copy

Please find following the full 52 page book in rough format.

The purpose of creating this mock-up is to review text, illustrated visuals, content, branding, page layout and book structure and organization.

All drawings are rough (even the full colour ones included have been a part of the visual exploration and should not be considered final designs). In some sketches you'll see orange colouring - that indicates an image that will require a photograph. The purple coloured bits represent photos we'll need from a visit to PHM.

From past tests I've found the portrait style (seen below) works best for the 8.5"x11" format that we will be printing in.

I look forward to using this template as a means to move forward and lock in on final designs.

Thanks for having a look - I am open to feedback.

Revised mock-up

Wasn't happy with the "feel" of the last layout so I re-did the book in portrait format - it has a better look to it. Better use of white space and the text seems  less heavy. Had to re-do some of the rough illustrations but it also helped with the feel. Have to flop the layouts we talked about for chemo (blood tests) but at least this gives you a looksee...