This post uses project templates from an Advanced Design class to help you understand the basic steps in creating a multiple-page publication:
• A Publication Project Brief to clarify the parameters and objective of the design.
• A Content Outline delineating what you want to say and the order you want to say it in.
• A Flat Plan showing the anticipated visual location, order and hierarchy of the content.
• A multi-columnar and/or module two-page Grid, including margins, consideration of the spiral binding in the gutter, as well and anticipated vertical columns and horizontal flow lines.
A Project Brief
When you start any design, even if it is part of an already existing larger project, you will want to orient yourself to the specific design task by creating a Project Brief for it.
Here is a worksheet you can use to create a Project Brief for your Print Portfolio:
A Content Outline
A publication designer, usually in conjunction with an editor, often creates a Content Outline.
You will want to create a Content Outline for your Print Portfolio:
Here is a worksheet you can use:
A Flat Plan
The next step in a book or publication design process is to create a Flat Plan.
A Flat Plan is a quick publication block-in that shows where the contents might appear in the book. The flat plan shows the organization and layout of the entire book/publication page by page and is often followed by tight thumbnail layouts.
Here is an a Flat Plan worksheet for you to use for your your Print Portfolio:
Here is an a Comprehensive Design Project Board worksheet that combines both all three, a Brief, a Content Outline, a Flat Plan, as well as a Concept Thumbnail or two. You might want to use it, in conjunction with your branding, to help develop a design concept/theme for your your Print Portfolio:(Yes, publication designs have concepts too).
A Publication Grid
All publication designs use grid systems. A system is a collection of parts which constitute a whole for the benefit of both. A grid system helps create a message hierarchy, organize content, and keep a consistent layout and look through the book.
This is the Grid I used for my design revamp of the 2012 Utah Travel Guide. It includes margins, gutters, as well as eight columns per page that allow a great deal of layout variation including the following page column relationships: 1 col; 1col x 7 col ; 2 x 6 ; 3 x 5 ; and/or 4 x 4. This publication was perfect bound.
Your portfolio will be spired bound. You must adjust your gutter spacing to accommodate for the location of the hole punches and plastic comb that will appear in your book. As you might note, page crossovers can be a challenge with spiral binding.
Publication Layout
The layout of the portfolio book will be in four phases:
The first phase is a content block-in, based upon your flat plan. As you drop in your basic text and images, the flat plan may need to be changed.
The second phase is a rough layout of the cover, the inside introduction, a process spread if desired, and the design of at least two sample project sections.
The third phase is the layout of the entire book based upon adjustments of the rough layout.
The fourth phase is the printing and stapling of at least a half-size dummy of the entire book.
The fifth phase is the final layout and proofing of the portfolio book, as well as final output as pdfs for printing.
The first phase is a content block-in, based upon your flat plan. As you drop in your basic text and images, the flat plan may need to be changed.
The second phase is a rough layout of the cover, the inside introduction, a process spread if desired, and the design of at least two sample project sections.
The third phase is the layout of the entire book based upon adjustments of the rough layout.
The fourth phase is the printing and stapling of at least a half-size dummy of the entire book.
The fifth phase is the final layout and proofing of the portfolio book, as well as final output as pdfs for printing.
