Brief: However you plan to work in the production of your book, spend some time now planning your workflow, using the notes above as a guide. Think about how much flexibility you can allow yourself – don’t put yourself under too much pressure. At the same time, be aware of time constraints that may be outside your control. If you’re using a local printer, for example, make contact as soon as possible. Your printer may have a limited timeframe for doing your job and you’ll need to factor this into your workflow.
Workflow phases;
- Phase 1 – Scoping: Timeframe and planning: what needs to be done, how it needs to be done.
- Phase 2 – Creating Content: Researching subject area. Writing material. Editing text. Sourcing and/or creating images.
- Phase 3 – Design: Page set-up, page layout, choosing typeface, inputting and arranging text and image elements.
- Phase 4 – Pre-production: Preprinting for print. Saving and storing. Backing up all work. Printing proofs, checking pages, inputting corrections.
- Phase 5 – Printing and Production: Instructing, liaising and sending to printer.
The following guide will show how I plan to carry out my workflow for Assignment 5;
Phase 1 – Scoping – 1-2days. I plan to look through each option in assignment 5’s brief thoroughly and choose the best option for me and for which I feel most inspired by. I would also like to revisit the highlighted points I have made throughout part 5’s unit in out course materials. (Currently in the process of highlighting key information which I think I will find helpful for the assignment)
Phase 2 – Creating content – 7days. Here I plan on spending a large chunk of time heavily researching the chosen topic and gaining as much information and inspiration as I need. This is an important first step as it helps set the foundations of the book making process. I will also seek any alternative and inventive ways to research the topic. (Lockdown restrictions could possibly effect this). I will also include mind maps, sketches, mood boards etc (my usual idea generation process) I will also create my flat plan here.
Phase 3 – Design – 14days. One of the more time consuming phases as this will be where the hard work is put into! With the combination of the work made during phase 1 & 2 I plan to start off by experimenting with ideas, choosing which to develop further. I will decide upon the smaller details such as typefaces, colour palettes and to which route I will be taking for imagery wether this be illustration or photography as I would like to create my own imagery to avoid copyright issues. Experiment with layouts and positioning’s – apply a grid?
Phase 4 – Pre-production – 1-3 days. The first thing I will to in this phase is print off sample pages, ensuring everything looks how it should and to eliminate any errors, I find it easier to make notes of improvements and errors then go back and emend. (Self critique! and ask for feedback off family, friends and peers) Once everything’s how it should be I will back the files up and then check that all formats are as should be ( selecting CMYK rather than RGB to ensure the colours will be printed at a higher standard and that any imagery has the resolution of 300dpi, along with checking brightness, contrast and size.
Phase 5 – Printing and Production – 2-3days. I’m giving myself a slightly longer timeframe for this step incase I decide to have my book professionally printed (which I’m swaying towards doing) so I will need to do my research on companies during phase 2 to ensure I give myself enough time for production and delivery of the item (as mentioned in our course guide I will look at blurb.com and see other companies). However if there are restrictions on having my book printed due to the current lockdown I will print myself so I will need to make sure the print set up is correct, the inks are at good levels and running a test print. I will need to print on my desired paper stock and choose my binding method and ensuring that I have all the supplies for this.
Reflection
When I first looked at the brief for assignment 5 I felt a little worried about how I would manage to produce a book however these exercise are very beneficial and will make things easy to follow when referring back to the plans made in both this exercise the last and possibly the next exercise. Knowing I have a plan to follow eases my nerves and builds up my confidence.
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