Layouts & Alternatives

With the introduction of a circular format, I have experimented with different layouts, all of which attempt to make this circular format work for me, as opposed to seeing it as an obstacle. I am unable to create these slices in InDesign, but I can draw out the slices using the pen tool and then input body copy and titles accordingly. I think these layouts show a variety of styles, pace and hierarchy while still containing some key themes throughout, the existence of body and letterforms on the border between two rings is done on purpose in order to more interestingly distort the text when the rings are not spun correctly, initial thoughts for my final outcome to ISTD would be to create strange letterforms with the half and half sections that would be resting on each side of the ring and then photograph the “homemade” letterforms that form as the different wheels are spun round. I like this idea as it makes for a more organic and interesting reading and interactive experience.

I took my rough digital sketches and then input them into InDesign where I met with difficult challenges that made my body copy paragraphs lack both impact and immersion.

Due to InDesign need to create documents in a rectangular format, the circular support tools are lacklustre, therefore the body copy paragraphs here are appearing less dynamic than in the sketches previously. There exists a type on a line tool, where you can draw a circle and type a single line over it, however there is no option to type more than that one single line onto the path, and so to create the circular paragraphs seen in my rougher digital sketches I would then have to create each paragraph, line by line, this would not be achievable within my timeframe and would also make experimentation much more difficult and much less free flowing, I do not think this would be a good idea to do due to the fact that I could spend my remaining time available on this project experimenting more elsewhere, with more ambitious formats and layouts, as opposed to simply create small amounts of copy paragraphs that would curve with the discs.

Moving forward I think it’s best to leave these copy paragraphs in the square and rectangular shapes that are currently in, then proceed to move on with more varied ideas, if this proves to be my most successful idea, I will then take the time to create each paragraph line by line for my final submission.

After assembling the separate layouts into one full size map, I find the rings to be very heavy and flush with text, however the cities do begin to build their own pictures and make imagery within themselves, allowing the quite close together to still exist separately, while the heavy amount of text will still make for some interesting combinations before the rings have been correctly assembled, this enhances the feelings of discovery as well as illustrating each cities characteristics and idiosyncrasies.