Display boards

I took some images of the finished book today for the display boards but I'm not happy with how they've come out.

I had the camera on automatic and changed the settings for the white balance but I can't get them to look right. They look like they've been taken in the 1970's so I aim to go in early tomorrow morning (after I've voted, obviously) and re shoot them. I've nothing against the 1970's, I just want the book looking a little more 2010.

They're here!

Got the call around lunch time from Pete at tdp to pick my book up. Checked through the content and how it had printed and it all looks good to me. Pete even complimented me on it and said how refreshing it was that a student knew how to present a document for printing with bleeds, tick marks etc. which made me feel great too! (I think he'd forgotten that I originally went to him with only 42 pages)

I am a little disappointed not have it printed somewhere like Dayfold, as you can see that although the original photograph is a good quality .tiff, some of the images haven't printed as clearly as I would have liked, but for the price I have paid I am happy.

The issue of having the text spread over two pages looks well resolved too. On one of the books, I think it has been cut sightly off the tick mark and some of the content is lost in the middle, but due to the large point size it doesn't really effect legibility.

Are things going too well?

Just tying up all the loose ends now, nervously waiting for the printers call. My sketch book is almost up to date and I would like to print couple of spreads showing tick marks and bleed for the final hand in.

Then last, but not least, write all the copy for the show board.

I really think I've planned my time very well. When I made the initial time planner, I just put approximate dates to have things completed by, but everything has gone to plan. I knew that for two weeks over Easter I wouldn't be able to work on a computer so I made sure I put all my thoughts and notes in my moleskin and scribbled on pieces of paper when ideas came.

I went to print slightly later than I had planned but still had my book back 4 days before the hand in and kept in communication with the printers about turnaround time.

So, just days to go until hand in and everything is all going a little too well...

And relax!

Or maybe not. I have just got back from the printers and my book(s) will be ready to collect next Weds. The printer did say he is waiting for an engineer to come out and fix one of his machines and so won't be able to start my book until that's done, which wasn't what I wanted to hear but I'll keep my faith in him.

Looking back at my time planner, I was due to have the book ready for the end of last week. I am a couple of days over although Pete (the printer) did say that there was no point in taking it to him sooner as he was too busy anyway, so I'm quite pleased that I've kept to my time planner.

I now have just over a week to get my board fro the final show ready and I want to try and produce some promotional posters for the book. So maybe I'll relax after that!

41/ 4 = 10.25

41 is not divisible 4! Despite being in my 30's in would appear basic maths is beyond me. I turned up at the printers this morning with my document and whilst checking it through with the printer he told me that I only had 41 pages to print. Boll8cks!

I did actually know about this but overlooked it. All because I added a contents page late yesterday afternoon and didn't think about the knock on effect. Sometimes when you're so deep into checking the copy for spelling mistakes you neglect other things.

Still, lesson learned!

ready to print - think again

I asked Kit to read through the copy of the book today. The design was finished and all the images were in place but after looking at the pages fro so long, it is hard to see if there are any typo's or double words.

Just as well I did, as I made a page of notes of things to change.

She explained how she thought it is hard for students because in the 'real world' we would only have to be one cog in a well oiled machine, whereas for this project I had to act as designer, copywriter, editor, photographer and deliver all the print specification too.

Although I have enjoyed all these elements, I would find it beneficial to work in a group and have contact with people working in these roles, for feedback and guidance.

If there are any spelling mistakes in the book, I lay the blame firmly on Kit's shoulders!

final crit

The final crit today seemed to go on for ever. I showed my book as it is so far and most people appeared to enjoy it and laugh in the right places.

Most of the feedback/discussion was about which cover to go for. I still like the original idea, but others said they weren't sure if the back cover explained/complimented the content of the book. When speaking to Sally, she said to me the cover needs to give off an 'understated confidence' and Kit also said she likes the original, so I may try some different images if I have time before mt print deadline and see how thy work.

After speaking with Nathan last week, he said he liked both designs but wouldn't put any copy on the back cover as it detracts from the image.