SUMMARY: The idea for this project was to create a glossary including 64 typographic terms and images using Adobe InDesign. After creating the glossary design on InDesign, the pages were to be printed and turned into a book.
GOALS: My main goal for this project was to choose typefaces that were eye-catching, but also easy to see. I wanted the audience to be able to easily read the terms and definitions in my glossary. I also hoped to learn how to print a booklet. I had never printed more than a page before, so I knew this would be new territory.
During Exercise 1, we paired typefaces together based on the category given. I liked having strict guidelines for selecting which typefaces to pair together. It made me really focus on trying to find the best typefaces to match the prompt given. The "thick + thin" pairing was my favorite. I ended up using those typefaces in my final glossary design.
During Exercise 2, we selected a typeface and treatment for each of the glossary's terms, definitions, and credits. I wanted to choose typefaces that created a strong visual hierarchy, so readers would know exactly where to look first. Trying different typefaces made me realize which ones I like the best and would want to use for the final glossary design.
During Exercise 3, we set up an example of the glossary pages in InDesign using different tools. I learned to thread the text boxes together so the text flows smoothly between the boxes. Once the template was set up, we used Character Styles to edit the different text elements. Using the Character Styles was a very easy way to save time. I experimented with different colors on this exercise. The combination of different blue hues was the choice I went with for my final glossary design.
The typeface I chose for the term and typeface credit is Waldorf Astoria. The typeface I chose for the definition is Tahoma. I believe these typefaces pair well together for a glossary. Waldorf Astoria is a serif typeface, so that pairs well with Tahoma, a san serif typeface. The audience's eye will go to the term first because it is larger than the rest of the text and it is written in a thick typeface. The thin definitions separate themselves from the terms and the black makes it easy for the audience to read.
To place the images, I first selected the image box next to the term. Next, I clicked File: Place and selected the image I wanted. Then, I clicked Crop to: Media. The images showed up correct and proportional in the image box. I repeated the process for each image. I used the Object Styles to adjust the color of the frame of the images. I chose a dark blue color to go with the light blue used in the text.
Each exercise helped inform my decisions for my final glossary design. In the first exercise, I liked the mix of thick and thin typefaces. In the second exercise, I liked the typefaces, Waldorf Astoria, and Tahoma. In the third exercise, I liked the combination of blue colors. I took each element from the different exercises and combined them to make my final glossary design.
I tried many cover designs for my glossary! I wanted the cover to bring out the elements from the inside of the glossary. The two typefaces used on the inside were used on the cover, as well as the two shades of blue. The final idea I chose was not my original idea. After creating many other designs, I just decided to try something and ended up loving it the best! I separated the letters of "type" and decided to hide them in an oval. I wanted to crop the letters to create visual tension. Parts of the "t" and the "e" are peeking out of the oval. The contrast between the dark blue and the white makes the letters jump out at you.
On the inside of the glossary, I added big letters to the background. The letters are placed where that letter begins in the glossary. The letters reflect the letters used in "type" on the front cover. The letters are a light blue color with a low opacity, so the rest of the glossary is still legible. I also added a design to the back cover. I flipped the image horizontally, so it would mirror the front cover. What the audience sees is the back of the oval that the letters are hiding in.
Designer spreads are on the screen and are in the order in which you want them to be read. Printer spreads are arranged in the order in which they will be put together in a book. Pagination is required so that the order is not mixed up. InDesign arranged the printer spreads, so I did not have to do it manually. Once the pages were printed, I folded them in half to create a booklet. Then, I took a stapler and stapled twice on the crease. I had to fold the staples down on the inside. Once the pages were all printed, there was a margin and some creep on the pages. This is something that can be fixed for future projects.
KNOWLEDGE GAINED: During this project, I used InDesign for multi-page design, which is something I had never done before. I learned how to use Character, Paragraph, and Object styles in InDesign. I gained experience with pairing typefaces. I also learned more about the printing process and pagination. This project was very insightful, and I hope to work on more print design in the future.
