However you plan to work in the production of your book, spend some time now planning your workflow, using the notes above as a guide.
Think about how much flexibility you can allow yourself – don’t put yourself under too much pressure. At the same time, be aware of time constraints that may be outside your control. If you’re using a local printer, for example, make contact as soon as possible. Your printer may have a limited timeframe for doing your job and you’ll need to factor this into your workflow.
Before I start planning, even though I did this process in the past, I want to make sure I don't forget any part of the way.
So, I copied and pasted the stages and their information from the OCA booklet guide, for each step of the way (marked in orange-red, while my plan marked in black).
Workflow phases
● Phase 1: Scoping
Timeframe and planning: what needs to be done, how it needs to be done.
Scoping
You’ve been through a process of ideas generation, determined a topic and
established the subject area you’re going to pursue. Now follows a period of
‘scoping’ – working out what needs to be done, and how it is going to be put into
action within a particular timeframe. It may help to allow yourself a set amount
of time for each section of the process.
So, basically right now I am at this stage. My aim at this exercise is to make a solid plan with timeframes, so I work according to my deadline. The is a deadline for me as well, as my course is going to finish on the 14th of July, therefore I have to work extra hard and fast to ensure I deliver this assignment on time.
I am confident in my skills and my experience so far it is possible.
Determining output
Right at the beginning you need to decide how you are going to output this book.
Are you interested in traditional approaches, or digital? Are you going to work in
a very ‘hands-on’ way, printing and binding the pages yourself, or are you going
to work with a digital print-on-demand company, such as blurb.com, working
digitally and uploading your files so that they can manage printing and binding?
Whichever route you choose determines the appropriate and relevant
pre-production working process.
For this assignment, I am hoping to use my own idea, as the assignment is offering “...Use the following options to as a starting point or alternatively identify your own project….”.
I have emailed my tutor and asked if I can create my own photography book showcasing my film photography from around the world. I think it can be really cool!
Photography art books are probably one of my favourite genre of books and it would be a dream to create such a book with my film photography.
As I have already worked manually on part 4, I would like this time to make it really professional and have it printed and bound by a professional high quality print house.
● Phase 2: Creating content
Researching subject area. Writing material. Editing text. Sourcing and /or
creating images.
Research and development
You’ll need to employ research skills in many aspects of the pre-production
process, both in relation to the content of the book and the production methods
you are going to use. For example, once you have decided on the output/print
production route you’re going to take, you need to consider what software or
hardware you need. Do you have it already, do you know how to use it or do you
need to factor in time to get to grips with new processes? If you are using a
printer, have you established what format the printer accepts for digital artwork?
Have you looked into the formats and sizes of book available and the costs?
Regarding the text and image content of the book, what do you need to do in
order to find out more about the topic you have chosen? Where will you source
material?
Creating text and images
Original artwork or someone else’s images? Creating your own artwork –
photographs, illustrations or paintings – avoids the issue of seeking picture
permissions, but make sure you credit your own work! Use the copyright symbol
©, your name and date for crediting your own work. Refer to section 5 copyright,
of the course ‘An Introduction to Studying in HE’, when using the work of others.
You will find the guidance of how to approach copyright. As a student you’re
entitled to use images – from Bridgeman and Oxford Art Libraries for example –
if they are purely for educational use.
Prepare your images using photo editing software. Check brightness and
contrast, size and resolution. Remember images have to be of a decent
resolution – work with 300dpi if you can. Digital print-on-demand services will
often not accept low-resolution images, so make sure you are aware of their
guidelines and recommendations regarding digital image files. Save images as
CMYK.
File and store text and images in an organised and careful manner, making sure
you backup your work regularly.
Research about photography books will take me probably a full day, including an online search and an art book store visit.
I am planning to use my own photography which means I will have to go through my film archive and choose images. My favourite thing about film is that is usually need the least amount of photo corrections the grain is the most beautiful coating and the colours of a good film such as Kodak Portra 400 or Kodak gold are just divine. In that case I'm assuming I won't need too many photo corrections, but it will be good to double check and give this some time. If I need to work on the images I have both Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
I assume a day - 1.5 days for the research phase will be enough.
● Phase 3: Design
Page set-up, page layout, choosing typeface, inputting and arranging text
and image elements.
Sample page
Create thumbnail sketches – both drawings and on computer – which show
design ideas for the book’s pages and the cover design. Create a sample
double-page spread of the book’s proposed layout, with some of the text and
images worked in. Experiment with different design options. Determine the
typeface and formatting of the text. Evaluate the sample spread with a broad
overview. How does it look? Make any changes and alterations needed.
Page layout
Flatplan the book before constructing pages in DTP software (if you’re taking the
digital route). Lay out the pages into the grid structure (if you’re using one). Work
in the text and import images.
The whole process of design I assume will take me 2 full days. I am already pretty experienced with book design and I love it, so I am giving myself even extra time here for mistakes or what I like to call "rabbit holes" when a designer just spends way too long on a 'dot' or a 'coma'...
● Phase 4: Pre-production
Preparing for print. Saving and storing. Backing up all work. Printing
proofs, checking pages, inputting corrections.
Proofing
Make a printout of the whole book using your desktop printer. Examine it
carefully for any mistakes and errors. Are text and image boxes in the correct
positions? Are the folios showing? Make corrections and alterations and reprint
the pages until they are absolutely correct.
I will dedicate about half a day max for this stage, giving myself enough flexibility to fix any mistakes.
● Phase 5: Printing and production
Instructing, liaising and sending to printer
Print preparation
Collect all artwork files ready to send/upload to the printer. Ensure you have all
images in place and double check all pages once again, making sure you haven’t
omitted anything. When you are ready, send your work.
I am already planning to visit the print house way in advance to choose the paper, and cover, so it will be easy to just send off once my book is ready, and just come to collect.
Re planning my workflow.
After visiting the print house, I've realised sourcing the binding of the book will take longer than expected (I thought the print house will just do it for me when they print and it is all machinery). They told me there is a famous book binder in Tel Aviv and he is definitely the best but he is very busy and therefore I can try my luck with him, but for the short time frame I have it might not work.
I had to change my plans, and start working on the book as soon as possible.
I had no time to waste, and I was still on the assignment of Part 4, but I was determined to make it on time for my due date.
I decided to start my research as soo as I finish Part 4 and get to work on my layouts once I feel confident.
My sister and her partner knew about this book binder and said he is very pricey and also very not friendly, which was just the last push for me to decide I'm binding the book myself, by hand, hand sewn, hard cover linen.
I knew the timeframe was very tight but I like to challenge myself and I was happy to get this final push as I wanted to try and make a hard cover book myself.
I made a plan for my time frame, as I mentioned, it is tight, but I am very positive it will work.
I was lucky to have my father on board with me to do the hand binding part, he is an artist and have so much materials and tools at home which can make everything a lot easier. Plus, he's a perfectionist, like myself, so I know the end product will be beautiful.
Friday & Saturday - Research, online, visit book stores, get the idea, understand what I can manifest with the time and resources I have. Brain storm, solve problems.
Saturday & Sunday - Select and gather images, create layouts and grids.
Monday - make sure the design is finished and be at the print shop at 9am when they open (that way I know they are not busy and I can consult with them about everything before printing). Get all materials I need for the book cover etc, sew the pages. Design the cover.
Tuesday - Get all materials left, print the cover design, make the cover.
Wednesday & Thursday - write and show my process + extra time if something goes wrong.