Considering commercial values such as target audience, purpose and form over function, along with the feedback I've received, I aim to take forward the IN/OUT concept because it has a lot of potential to be interactive, stimulating and informative.
As my publication is going to be based on my photographic images, I researched into photography books to gain inspiration and see how the content is presented in a publication.
Coffee Books
Usually display on a table intended for use in an area in which one entertains guests to inspire conversation. Subject matter is predominantly non-fiction and pictorial (a photo-book). Pages consist mainly of photographs and illustrations, accompanied by captions and small blocks of text, as opposed to long prose. Since they are aimed at anyone who might pick up the book for a light read, the analysis inside is often more basic and with less jargon than other books on the subject.
Guy Boardin - Exhibit A
Guy Bourdin's surreal and erotic imagery filled pages of international magazines throughout the 1970s. Bourdin rarely allowed his work to appear outside the pages of the magazines, and there has never been a book published devoted to his remarkable legacy, until 2001.
Bourdin manages to capture richly sensual images that also rely heavily on provocation and ability to shock. I like how Bourdin combines explosive colour with the figure which narratives strange and mysterious themes, often plainly exhibiting violence and graphic sexuality.
The publication is a hard back, A3 double page spread which is weighty and hard to read when holding it which means it has to be put down on a table to be read. The vast majority of the images are set to full bleed which fills the pages and ultimately impacts the audience more. The publication is a celebration of Bourdin's career after his death which suggests why the book is so large as the quality and content is such a high standard. The quality and size of the images means the audience can take their time browsing through as each turn of the page reveals a very different story, making the journey through the publication stimulating.
This publication is an example of a coffee table book, its primary purpose is to showcase the photographs to entertain. I own this publication and it is always placed in prime position on the shelf but it is rarely looked at. Coffee books are usually large, expensive, lavishly illustrated books, intended especially for casual reading.
Sebastião Salgado - Genesis
Genesis is about Salgado attempting to capture the planet as it once was, unspoilt landscapes, wildlife and remote communities that live as their ancestors did.
Over 30 trips—travelled by foot, light aircraft, seagoing vessels, canoes, and even balloons, through extreme heat and cold and in sometimes dangerous conditions—Salgado created a collection of images showing us nature, animals, and indigenous peoples in breathtaking beauty.
Again, the extra large publication is hard back and glossy, making the most out of quality materials and processes alongside the stunning imagery. This makes people want to pick it up and look through it.
The heavy book needs to be put down flat in order to read it comfortably and is filled with large, high impact imagery to capture the readers attention which is why the publication qualifies as a coffee table book.
The images are not full bleed and often off centre which frames the image and focuses the audiences attention on the image. The white frame works well with the monochromatic images because it doesn't distract the audience which shows a well considered colour scheme.
Throughout the publication, some themes and concerns that Salgado photographed are presented in a grid system. Smaller images based on the same theme create a story board that the audience can interpret for themselves. This can inspire conversation and spark interest. Also, instead of a double page spread, the pages can be opened out, further creating more space on the front and back of the pages. This feature wouldn't be very appropriate for a publication that needed to be accessed quickly as it is time consuming. The feature is appropriate for a coffee book because the audience can take their time flicking through the pages and discovering these features without dropping or ripping the book.
Using this page folding technique is a useful way of creating more room for content but I can also adapt this to reveal my type out of context.
Producing a coffee book would mean that my publication would need to be a large format, hard back publication with limited type. Therefor I will need to research and practice my book binding skills. Typically, a section at the front of the book is dedicated to a passage of text putting the reader into context.
The heavy book needs to be put down flat in order to read it comfortably and is filled with large, high impact imagery to capture the readers attention which is why the publication qualifies as a coffee table book.
The images are not full bleed and often off centre which frames the image and focuses the audiences attention on the image. The white frame works well with the monochromatic images because it doesn't distract the audience which shows a well considered colour scheme.
Throughout the publication, some themes and concerns that Salgado photographed are presented in a grid system. Smaller images based on the same theme create a story board that the audience can interpret for themselves. This can inspire conversation and spark interest. Also, instead of a double page spread, the pages can be opened out, further creating more space on the front and back of the pages. This feature wouldn't be very appropriate for a publication that needed to be accessed quickly as it is time consuming. The feature is appropriate for a coffee book because the audience can take their time flicking through the pages and discovering these features without dropping or ripping the book.
Using this page folding technique is a useful way of creating more room for content but I can also adapt this to reveal my type out of context.
Producing a coffee book would mean that my publication would need to be a large format, hard back publication with limited type. Therefor I will need to research and practice my book binding skills. Typically, a section at the front of the book is dedicated to a passage of text putting the reader into context.
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