Visual Communication Design 2024 University of Alberta
The Short Story of Architecture by Susie Hodge is a collection of key styles, buildings, elements and materials found within the field of architecture. Perfect for any budding architects or for those who have an interest in industrial design. In this project, I examined the layout of the text and suggested an updated design to help the delivery of the text's information.
The existing text and layouts feel dense and becomes difficult for readers to absorb the intended content within each spread. With the updated design, the main goal was to treat the text similar to a coffee table book where the images take center stage. Meanwhile, the text hierarchy remains distinct while taking a back seat.
The redesigned front and back covers feature images of Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye. The narrative of the front cover image is very straight on almost as if the reader is walking up to the building as they approach the book. Then, once the reader has completed their reading, the image on the back cover creates a sense of retreat and exiting as now the building is off in the distance.
The updated internal spreads feel much more modern with slower pacing to the information. The images are at the top of the hierarchy, and with the use of an asymmetrical modern grid system, the placement of the text around the images is allowed to vary depending on the section of the book.
