METAMORPHISIS (book binding)

This project required us taking the text from Kafka's 'Metamorphisis' and using InDesign to format and then create a physical book. I knew immediately that because of the nature of the text I wanted the book to look classic and to perhaps exploit the fact the text is relatively short and make it compact. 

Having never done made a book before my first step was to investigate traditional methods of layout which brought to my attention The Van de Graaf canon. This is a reconstruction of a method that would have been used in book design in order to divide a page in pleasing proportions.

However when I tried placing the text onto the page using this method it did not appear aesthetically pleasing to me. In order to try and decide how I would place my text I decided to look for inspiration in books that I thought were well laid out. Aesthetically, I found I preferred the way older books looked, those printed using letterpress. 

For example:

I appreciate the way the text is actually slightly indented into the sheets of paper and the slight imperfections which give each letter character. The above example influenced the placing of the text on the page.

I used equal measurements around the top and sides (1.5cm) with double this spacing at the bottom to balance the text (3cm).

I also choose to place the page numbers at the bottom centrally to add to the overall symmetry of each double spread.

I also liked the inclusion of emblems as I feel this adds character and decoration without being over the top and drawing away from the text. When used at the begining of a chapter it also acts as a quick visual message that one has reached a break in the text. 

Text

I knew I wanted to use a serif typeface as I was trying to create a classic style book. I choose a variation of Garamond, a typeface with letterforms that convey a sense of fluidity and consistency.

Below are an example of pages from the completed book. 

Covers I like: