The examples below are small but to scale (8.5 x11 landscape). Sometimes the images bleed off on the edges, other times not. I'm playing to see what feels right.
I will say I am NOT happy with colours - these have been completed quickly (probably too quickly) as I wanted to get something made to see the entire page spread, but this process helps me get to where we need to be. As you'll see, I'm experimenting with textures, white space, text placement and graphical treatments. Some are brand new, others use elements from past designs that we've agreed we like. It's a bit tricky to do these one offs because I need to think about all the book pages but it's part of the creation process for me. So even though these are coloured, don't think of them as final artwork.
As always, comments welcomed....
Agh! I looked at the first one and thought, yeah, I like that - but didn't realize that there were 3 more below it - all slightly different, but that I liked them all too!!! So, now we look at details, right!?
ReplyDeleteOK. So, what I like about the top one is the patterns in the background - although I wonder if that was continued throughout the book if it would look busy. It feels kinda 'modern' somehow though & I like it. I really like the text box at the top of the right hand side - highlights the breast cancer 'announcement' and almost like a text bubble (btw - I'm trying my best with jargon here!). Now when I see things side by side, I realize that I do like the backgrounds to 'bleed' off to the side of the page. I'm getting more comfortable with the MRI image - although I'd like us to find one with just one breast - most women end up with bc in one breast & I wouldn't want kids to start worrying about the other one - plus, I think it would just be easier to understand. I know you were just working with what you found - and I do think it's a good idea. Ran it by a woman I met for lunch today who's in treatment & has young kids - she thought it was a good idea too.
The second spread, I like the blue (does it take away from the MRI pic too much or does it complement it - can't tell) - but I feel like the purple side kinda ends at Charlotte's head - I think I like the full bleed better actually.
Problem is - I like the next one (the third one) too! I like the softness behind Charlotte (kinda fits her feelings there, I think) - on the right side, it does bring a lot more attention to the MRI image though... but I quite like the frame around it - like a blackboard at school almost.
What I like about the last one (as opposed to the top ones with the graphic backgrounds) is that they lend themselves a bit more to a context of a 'home' or location. Does that make sense? It doesn't necessarily mean that that's better or worse, I suppose - it just feels a bit more like there's a location as opposed to a background (I guess with the line indicating a wall/floor.
Now, after I went through each one, I just went up to look at them all and I surprised myself by liking the 3rd one the best. Does that mean that other spreads couldn't have the other elements (like the graphic backgrounds?). I suspect that the last 2 kinda go together or the top 2 go together - is that right?
Just showed Erik & he liked the top one & the third one as well.
Is that any help?
BTW - the bunny that Charlotte's holding reminds me A LOT of Annika's monkey. Not sure we want to bring attention to that detail, but it could be a photographic element of that page - could be illustrated on other pages too. Just a thought.