Design Narrative
The challenge for this project is to create a 20-page booklet utilizing hand-made and mixed-media techniques inspired by a personally chosen song’s lyrics, mood, and melody. Some goals include: understanding the design principles, implementing new hand-made art techniques, and intertwining type and image to communicate a clear message or feeling.
To create the booklet for the song “Toxic” by Britney Spears, the musician and song research was vital. Learning what the song is about, watching the music video, and listening to the song provided a sense of direction. The artwork was created out of ink and charcoal, inspired by the passionate and expressive ink type that is seen in Ed Fella’s typography. The song is about a toxic love that is passionate and dangerous. This choice of medium suits well with this idea. Once scanned, the artwork was then inverted digitally to create a darker, more dangerous tone for the booklet. Then adding clear sheets with poisonous animal outlines in between each spread adds clarity to the song’s message of toxicity. The hot pink and green colors that contrast from the black and white are not only meant to convey toxicity but also femininity. These colors were informed during the research of the song and artist. The typeface that was used throughout the booklet in different weights, Obvia, has a techy feel. This connects with the techy aspects of the song’s melody. The front and back cover are handmade hard covers. The paper throughout the rest of the book is 100 pound cardstock. These choices were meant to provide structure. Finally, the book is bound by a spiral. This allows for the artwork to lay flat, allow for clear pages, and give structure to the overall booklet. It is reminiscent of a notebook that one would jot down quick notes; the song is about impulsive and passionate love. The binding helps convey this a bit better than a saddle stitch booklet would.
