Typography Glossary
Summary
This project is based on creating a consistent design system for a typographic glossary that is both visually interesting and properly readable. We started with learning about formatting in InDesign and then explored setting up easy-to-change design systems using character, paragraph, and character styles. We also explored cover design in this project, creating something that both fits its purpose as an attention-grabbing cover as well as fitting in the already established design system.
Goals
My goals for this project were to continue to learn new techniques in InDesign as well as practice old ones. I also wanted to create a cohesive design system that was visually appealing but did not impair the booklet's function.
Font Experiments
In the first exercise, we further explored different types of contrast between letterforms used in typographic design seen in the previous project. I enjoyed exploring all the combinations listed below, and I ended up going with a thick/thin contrast in the final design. The final design also has big and small contrast as well. I tried to explore this topic not only with different typefaces but also with varying layouts as well. Some of the headers align with the body text, some do not, and the big/small example (top left image) even goes all the way across the page to emphasize the contrast. We also experimented with different amounts of tracking in this exercise. For example, I used quite a bit of tracking in the soft/hard example (top right image) to help create an airy feel that would synergize well with the bubble-like typeface I chose. However, for the fragmented/solid example (bottom right), I elected to use much less tracking so the black boxes surrounding the letters would appear as one, single box around each word.
The second exercise involved creating some possible design systems using character styles. Using character styles makes changing all of the terms, definitions, and credits all at once much simpler and faster. We were encouraged to explore many different styles using things such as typefaces, point sizes, color, and alignment. I would be drawn to the purple script style in the upper right image below and develop this into my final design system.
In the final exercise, we first learned more about setting up page layouts using parent pages. We also learned how to link text boxes together so that text will flow from one text box into another. Finally, we further developed our design systems by applying them to a more accurate layout to the final product. The purple script style displayed on the rightmost image below would again be my favorite work from this exercise, though I would end up changing the typeface due to
readability issues.
readability issues.
Preliminary Glossary Build
My final design system is displayed below. It uses primarily Baskerville, along with its italic font variant for both the terms and the credits (Note: the screenshots incorrectly say "Baskerville Old Face, but this is due to the fact that these were taken on my temperamental Windows laptop and I was unable to find the correct version of Baskerville, but they appear to be very similar). I wanted italics so I could have a script-like feel without all the readability issues I mentioned earlier. I wanted it to be approachable. I believe glossaries can be intimidating due to the vast amounts of technical jargon they often contain, so the script font, along with the soft lilac accents, conveys a calming feeling that allows the reader to be at ease and encourages them to take the booklet at their
own pace.
own pace.
Placing the images was simple, as it just involved using the Place tool and ensuring that the images cropped to media. The images needed to be linked to the correct folder, otherwise they would not load properly and would appear extremely blurry. Other than those two things, it was just a matter of matching the file name to the term.
Final Glossary Build
I experimented with many different types of covers. The one picture below was my strongest. It is simple but effective at what it sets out to do. This is a cover for a glossary, and glossaries do not necessarily need flashy covers. This is a resource book, and its cover conveys through its design what resources can be found within. Not only do the title and header state that this is a glossary of typography terms, but you can see some of those terms floating in the background, just a few shades darker than the background color. The terms are taken directly from the book's interior, so you won't be fooled into thinking that there is a definition in the book that is not actually there.
I also enjoy the contrast between the very centered and solid title and the more chaotic flurry of typographic terms in the background. It creates an interesting visual without overcomplicating the cover. I didn't alter the interior very much at this point; I added a back cover and replaced the blank pages with this same cover. The back cover is simply the front cover without the title and
header text.
header text.
Printed Glossary
The main difference between designer and print spreads is the order of the pages. Designer spreads are most easily read as an eBook, whilst print spreads need to be, as you might imagine, printed out in order to be read properly. Printer spreads are also very difficult to make, as it turns out. We had a lot of trouble getting the designer spreads to convert into print spreads.
Once the glossary was printed out, the process of saddle-stitching was very simple. You fold your pages in half so they resemble a book, then you mark where you want the staples to go (preferably evenly spaced), and then you staple the pages together where you marked them. My pages seemed to have moved while I was saddle-stitching, and they are a bit uneven with a decent amount of creep (the inner pages sticking out from the cover), but overall I am happy with how it turned out.
Knowledge Gained
In this project, I learned many technical skills. I learned how to use character, paragraph, and object styles in InDesign. I also learned how to thread text boxes and set up parent pages in InDesign. I learned the process for creating printer spreads as well as how to saddle-stitch a booklet. I also gained some valuable experience thinking about how different people may not find the same typefaces as easy to read as I do. I also learned that when it comes to things like books, you need to keep designs simple and put the function of the item before the form, or else your book is unreadable and therefore useless.
