Hermann Zapf
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- evanmade
http://www.evanmade.com/storage/…
I am designing a layout for a textbook about typography and type designers. Here is one spread, a proposed layout with my own text. I'd like a little feedback on:
a) form
b) content
The typefaces are Scala and Scala Sans. Body is set 9/12 x 14 on the verso page and 9/12 x 21.6 on the recto page. Oh, and the center vertical represents the spine.
http://www.evanmade.com/storage/…
Thanks!
Evan
- evanmade0
anyone?
- Josev0
Did you consider using any of Zapf's typefaces?
- Amicus0
^ As it's only one page from a textbook it's probably a decent idea not to use a different typeface one every page just to use the type designer's work.
Personally, if this was representative of the book I wouldn't buy it. It's not bad, but it's not earth shattering either.
I'd dedicate 4 pages to each designer so you can get more in depth, with more samples of their work.
I'd also work on the spacing of the subheads, and delete the horizontal line as it breaks the page too much.
- janne760
form: needs more space? not too bad as it is, but not really of today's preferred reading style... needs more leading and generally larger margins. And perhaps tad up the font size of the titles (etc) a little more. Have you played with different sizes before going ahead?
content: can't say much about it as i don't know what level of learning/scholars this is meant for...
- monospaced0
There is simply too much on the page. That's the biggest issue.
Also, you went a little overboard with the typography, and it turned out really inconsistent: Sometimes you indent, but most of the time you use an extra space between paragraphs. Pick one, please. Some of your subheads are in all caps, and some are in a sans-serif type. Likewise, please pick only one. I see some right-aligned type and it's not quite working either.
This seems like a Type 1 project, mixing design and type history, so you've got a lot to learn. Seeing as you're kinda new at this, I would suggest not justifying your type and instead focus on a beautiful rag. Experiment with using half your leading as a space after paragraphs as well. Good luck.
- janne760
monospaced has some good points i didn't even go as far as noticing.
i want to add the following: think again about letting those images bleed into the bind, it could be annoying for the reader, he might tear the book apart to be able to witness the whole image.
i do not know how many pages will be used and what kind of binding but you will need much more margin from the bind to begin with.
you could print the spread out, make a crease in the middle and see how it looks, you will find that you may need more space!
- Josev0
Maybe it's the PDF or the font choice, but the Scala looks terrible to me. The texture, inner letter spacing, the kerning in the titles, etc., is bad. The spacing between subheads and paragraphs looks unresolved, and the paragraph spacing and indents in the notes and sources could be refined. The rag in the image credits should be reworked (and there's a widow). If this is a book about type designers your treatment should pay respect to the craft.
- ismith0
It's relatively minor, but that superscript is too tiny to read... I saw the footnotes on the opposite page so I realized what they were, but I had to zoom quite far in to get a discernible 'a' 'b' or 'c'.
- gramme0
I don't think Scala's a bad choice, it's prolly just the PDF. It's quirky but very legible.
I think the ruled line going across is heavy-handed. It's oppressive and unnecessary. The two-column verso / single-column recto is dissonant and doesn't seem to serve much of a point. I think you should use a single column for both pages, or if the amount of content requires more room, use two columns—but wider than what you now have.
The way you're indenting paras is fine, I see the logic but the subheads look odd. I recommend either removing the lead after each subhead, or do the following: before, 1.5 lead; after, .5 lead. That will do two things: stick to the baseline grid, and it will more clearly orient subheads to their respective sections.
Hard to tell exactly how big the book is, but you might be pretty tight in the gutter. I'd also keep art with any live matter (like the Optima sketch) away from the gutter. You'll effectively lose 3/4" of the artwork. (If the book is short and only saddle-stitched, ignore what I just said).
Finally, these are minor details but if you're going to use Scala, which has small caps, then set your acronyms accordingly. And your ellipses are wide. Are those spaces periods? They shouldn't be. Try inserting the ellipsis character that comes with Scala and go from there.
- utopian0
my eyez hurtz
- evanmade0
Thanks for all your thoughts. Very good points.
There are some parameters, including fitting all this copy AND six images (ugh... I'd rather not). I'll work on the rag, the subheads and some of those other typographic issues.
Thanks again!
- Amicus0
Try making the pictures different sizes to liven up the page. Personally I think the work is more important than what the guy looked like.
- evanmade0
I need a very thorough critique of the following piece..
http://evanmade.com/storage/Fina…
Here is the criteria for the assignment:
+ Format (7.5 by 10.5 inches)
+ It all must fit on a spread
+ About six images (I have 5)
+ It should represent a possible layout for an entire textbook about typography/type designers/type historyWhat I would like feedback on:
+ Use of negative/white space (is there enough? Is it interesting?
+ Type color (and I am not talking about the red)
+ Relevance and arrangement of images
+ Use of footnotes, image captions and other secondary test
+ Hierarchy
+ General typographic style/following rules, appropriate glyphs, etcSome info about my design:
+ its on a 5 column grid.
+ Text is set 9/13 x 13p4 (strange measure, I know) Scala and Scala SansOh, and I have thick skin. Please don’t hold back. Prompt feedback would be excellent. (Sorry about the second thread, I just need some feedback quickly)
- gramme0
So this is a student project?
- evanmade0
yup
- ********0
