02 Editorial Design: Flight

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02 Editorial Design:

Flight

Project summary

Develop a unique concept for a book of original short stories that revolve around a singular fictional character according to the theme: moments after which everything was different. The aim of this project is to create a set of meaningful experiences for the audience which reflects in the life of the created character. It is required to develop an editorial concept, thematic strategy, genre and write a complete original story and introductions to remaining chapters.

Technical specifications & deliverables

01. Process work

02. Original Text

03. Presentation boards

- Dust jacket, cover, endpapers, title page, imprint page, contents page, one complete chapter, chapter titles and additional text spreads for remaining chapters

Design strategy

As a young boy James has to face his fears. The kindness of one man leads him to discover his dream and what would become his escape throughout life. Flight. James is an aviator through and through. This is the story of how he finds himself through the challenges he face in life and how the sky becomes his home.

Flight is a collection of short stories following the life of James as he explores his passion for flight. Each chapter of the book explores a different stage of his life and how flight has always been his escape. The book is a sentimental collection of his life experiences, looking back at the end of his career.

The design of the book takes inspiration from various elements of aviation such as the black, gold and black seen in the uniforms of commercial airline pilots, flight maps, photography and the flight stripes that follow when plane soars through the sky. The design of the book makes use of photography within its imaging that relates to the different stages.

Research and Narrative Development

The Character

Character name: James

Age: 64

Enneagram Type 3

Strengths Work ethic, responsibility, generosity , leadership

Weaknesses image conscious, lack of self esteem, competitiveness

Genre: Realist Fiction

A collection of short stories from the perspective of an older James reminiscing at the end of his 45 year long career as a pilot. The short stories are organised according to the timeline of his life starting with the touching story of how one man’s actions introduced a young boy to his passion. The stories are descriptive of the adventures and difficulties he faced at different stages of his life and describe how these events shaped him as a person.

Moodboard

The visual style is inspired by simple and elegant designs, golden skies, gold leafing and ink, flight maps and routes and the professional look and feel of airline pilot uniforms.

Visual Exploration

Initial experimentation included the use of thread and pins in foam board to mimic flight routes which was then digitally mimicked. Exploration also included the use of soft pastels to create texture, paper cutouts and drawing on and layering tracing paper to create depth. Drawn out topographic maps with flight routes plotted are also explored as visual element.

Collage along with gold leaf is explored to create an elegant yet more personal look and feel.

Old photographs are used as inspiration and within collage with graphic elements.

Typography and Colour Scheme

The typography is applied with substantial breathing room to create an elegant look and feel. To contribute to the clean and elegant design the colours mimic the uniform of a commercial airline pilot.

Dust Jacket