Existing Publication Research

Stocks, layout and forms for a publication are essential for its USP (Unique Selling Point).
It is important to note how materials can present a concept through simply its sensual qualities. For example, the colour of stock can impact how the viewer feels (colour psychology), the texture can be smooth and relaxing or ruff and anxious. Depending on the contents and intentions of the publication, the stock choices can be manipulated to reflect a designers intentions.

1. Shentonista

• This battered looking tome 
• book designed by DO NOT DESIGN for a Ministry of Mavens event by Heineken and Esquire Magazine. 
• The pages feature street photography of trendy individuals in Singapore’s Shenton Way area, taken from the Shentonista street photography website.
• Each copy features a unique clay cover, designed to reflect the way these individuals are carving their own style into their concrete surroundings, as well as acting as a “concrete doorway to a world of pages filled with colour.”
• Every few pages, you’ll come across a fold out, cut out, or collage section that reflects the hidden areas and secrets of a large city like Singapore.
• The pages are left untrimmed, rough around the edges if you like. 

2. Llibre Homenatge

• Llibre Homenatge (Tribute Book) has an engraved wood cover and exposed binding, designed by Barcelona-based design studio Petit Comitè. 
• Coptic stitch binding to allow for a wide opening
• Consistent flow and placement of images draws soles focus to the photography

3. Hip Hoptimism

• Designed by Zan Barnett, a graduate of  the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, Hip Hoptimism is an illustrated typographic A–Z of contemporary hip hop artists, from André 3000 to Jay Z.
• Each spread is unique, featuring a type-treatment of the artist’s name, alongside a selection of their lyrics, that perfectly illustrates their style.
• Cardboard packaging nice finish mirroring something received
• Allows for a focus on the imagery as well as type and lyric

4. Creative sketchbook by fashion designer Ania Leike

• Grungy and chaotic approach to a sketchbook 
• By Stockholm-based fashion designer Ania Leike
• For her graduate collection; 'Sleep Paralysis'
• Great use of material and texture to present mark makings and tones
• Subsequent affect on mood is strong and somewhat piercing 

      

5. Estórias da rua que foi balsa   (Stories Of A Street That Was Once A Ferry)

• by designer studio Guayabo.
• Written by healthcare professionals from across different regions of Brazil, the book showcases the delicate perspective of healthcare, a profession in which your path is rarely clear and you are forced to merely follow the path ahead of you, often against a tide of bureaucracy.
• The dust jacket folds out revealing instructions on how to make an origami boat which serves as a visual metaphor for this idea of having to simply follow the flow and deal with the rough seas ahead.
• It's a great interactive quality to the publication, where design meets function to enhance the end goals of its purpose/ message