OUGD404// What is a book?

A book can transcend many tangible and intangible forms of documentation. As you can see from the official definitions, the 'book' we think of in our mind, nicely bound with hundreds of pages, can take on several different forms...

The purpose of a book is to deliver information in some way or another. This information can be fact, fiction or purely for design purposes with no real philosophical meaning. With this in mind, the density of pages, the nature of the publication, or even the quantity of information per side does not make one book more than another. The production of the book is equally as important as the content, (especially if ascetic is a number one aim), meaning that thickness of stock/ paper quality/ paper textures/ binding/ layout and scaling all need to be considered in harmony for the creation of an effective 'book'. 

Stock and Binding //

The word Stock is often used when referring to the different types of paper in their finished cut sizes. A4, A5 or B5 are most common for standard books, but we do not not need to stick to these smaller scales. If the purpose is right then stock can be cut as large as A0 and as small as you can get it. Generally paper is measured in GSM (grams per square meter) and explains how many 'grams' (weight) is in a single sheet of paper measuring 1m x 1m

Common weights in cut sheets are: 80gsm, 90gsm, 100gsm, 120gsm, 130gsm, 150gsm and 170gsm. A low quality stock used in photo copiers is often 80gsm, where as a letterhead or better quality publications would commonly be printed on anything from 100gsm to 120gsm. Papers weighing either 130gsm or 150gsm are generally used for leaflets or flyers, yet could be considered too thick for books if there are many pages blinded together tightly.

Example of obtaining thick stock in a verity of textures.

The way you bind a books plays just as much as what stock it is printed on, meaning it is imperative to not only choose an ascetically pleasing method, but the most appropriate for ease of reading and so the pages do not fall apart. For example, if your intention was to create a modernist sleek publication, it wouldn't be appropriate to choose exposed stitching with string or ribbon due to the hand rendered style it conveys. The most common way of book binding through my own personal collection seems to be 'Soft Bound', 'Section Sewn' and 'Lay Flat' binding. Despite creating a similar look, the uses of sewing, (featured in most binding productions) have very traditional routes compared to newer methods of production, such as Lay Flat binding which are 'the next generation in presentation books and photo albums'. 

Various ways of book binding sourced from London Book Binding

Typography and Colour // 

It is a well known fact that Type and Colour should work in harmony to suggest the intended tone. For example, if you are using a really elaborate typeface, don't use a lime green vs neon pink colour scheme if your intention is to create a tranquil visual tone.

In my opinion, minimal type is miles more effective than cramming the page full of information, all fighting for the viewers intention. Below, a calm tone is created by the monochrome minimalistic layout, composed with heavy negative space drawing the eye to the only information they need to know- the structure of the publication.

Check out more on Design Inspiration

In contrast, the use of vivid colours should not be shyed away from if the content/ tone requires this emphasis on playfulness. With this piece a initial observation is that it is wildly experimental, this is not the case. Despite the 'in your face' nature, a clear structure is created using only three colours, adhering in some ways to Dieter Rams 10 principles of design**. By keeping the white as the base tone, not only is a wacky realism maintained through the highlights within the photography- yet a calming presence juxtaposed with the small bright written copy. I personally think this is massively effective and will definitely take inspiration from the ascetic created in later projects. 

Publication created for the Jazz Festival of Strasbourg using only 3 colours, created by French design house 'Helmo'.
See the full project at http://www.creativeideas.today/c/graphic-design/item/jazzdor-3-colors-brochure-design.html

**When looking at Dieter Rams' 10 principles of design, it is imperative not to take them for the be all and end all of 'good' design. In my opinion, design is very subjective and it is rare everybody will all agree on the same set of design decisions. 
I take these the way Jack Sparrow views the Pirates code- more like guide lines than actual rules.