I’ve been continuing my exploration with printing on light weight bible paper and using the image created on the reverse. I went out around the area with my Diana +, a reproduction of a classic lomography camera. I wanted to use something that would produce photographs with some real character and interesting lighting effects.

The image to the left is the first prints of some of my photos on bible paper. I really love the intriguing qualities when viewing the reverse of the prints. I’ll continue to experiment and work the interesting qualities of the prints into my final design.

I’ve been experimenting with some new paper stock I purchased recently for a college brief. Essentially, the brief was to create a ‘visual feast’ in the form of a printed promotional booklet for our home town. One of the areas our tutors wanted us to focus on was printing techniques and finishes, and using them to maximum effect. So, I decided I wanted to create something which was a bit more intriguing to the viewer.

After researching the many different book binding techniques, and various effects achieved with paper, I decided I wanted to play with the properties of paper opacity/weight in the design process, and really make it a key feature of the booklet design.

Two key areas I recognised that needed further research were; - Paper folding techniques - Quality light weight paper.

I discover that a traditional french fold would be suitable for the book contents and allow me enough flexibility to create something interesting with images and type. Also I found 60gsm bible paper would was high quality but thin enough for the ideas I wanted to apply to it, so seemed the perfect choice for the contents of the book.

The image to the left shows my experimentation with the bible paper, where I’ve printed a large amount of type onto its reverse, and used a mask to increase the percentage of black on certain areas in order to create further large type within it. I’m planning on using this technique to create a dust jacket that unfolds out to give a history of the town. I’m really pleased with my initial results, it seems to have created the unusual effect I was hoping for.

I’m just about to start on a couple of interesting books, one an old classic and the other just intrigued me.

Grid Systems In Graphic Design [Josef Muller-Brockmann]

This is a book I’ve had for a while, and picked bits and pieces from, but never given it a thorough read. There’s a particular section I’m interested in which looks at using grid systems for environmental design, which is an area I’m becoming increasingly interested in. Aside form that it certainly won’t hurt to add to my grid system knowledge/understanding.

The Language Of Things [Deyan Sudjic]

Written by the Director of the Design Museum (London), Sudjic looks at how we are manipulated and seduced by our possessions. The book covers five broad areas; Language, Design & its Archetypes, Luxury, Fashion & art. I was really drawn to this book, not only because of its content, but partly because of it’s beautiful screen printed cover, which is ironic given the subject. There’s something about the title of the books introduction which I love as well; ‘A world drowning in Objects’, very appropriate.