Meeting Prep

Ok so i am meeting the publisher and Author at Bar One Leeds where we are going to be going through the formats and gives me a chance to ask some questions and for them to see the visual progress. I have prepared all the images next to their poems and put them into a book format because i think this will make it seem more real to them and gives an idea of the scale i've been working to. Since i have no information on format i have been working to A5 because that is a regular book size and i think its a scale that leaves room for movement either way a bit depending on the actual book format. I am also going to find out if our budget covers colour printing or whether this is a black and white publication.

This sheet shows the different options that  i am giving them on colour. It shows one full colour piece but i will be advising against that because i think the more reserved and subtle one compliment her work higher. My favourite is the colour line and the two tone highlight, both use minimal colour and is just used to highlight a part of the image.

I also gave some small options on font. Now i am not a typographer but i feel as a visual person i still have more idea than the author. Although the publisher may have this side covered, but i am prepared if not. I only put four options; Bookman, Helvetica, Times new roman and Rockwell. I think Rockwell suites her work the best. It has the air of a more classic font, clearly adapted form type writers font.  I know the author personally and know that she draws a lot of inspiration from classic films and music. I feel the Rockwell makes you think of norman rockwell and therefore i assume this font is kind of representative of his kind of work, thinking about the American dream. This is a concept and a time period the author has great interest in and that is why i think this font will hold the most appeal for her.
I also gave an option of having the text centred or lined up with the page edge. I don't think this is a large decision, i believe the lined up to the page looks neater but i think this is a decision on her part as it may affect the way the words are read.

For the book mockup i am taking i have just put the images on the pages and in grey line so that the words stand out in front of them. I also made some pattern inlay pages using elements from the illustrations i have one. I did this because i think the pattern inlay creates a sense of charm and it seems professional and fully visually considered. I also made a mock up about he author page but i think i will explain to her that i think this would be a good area to explain why she wrote the poems what they are about/ what they mean to her. Just generally introduce the work. I also mocked up the back page quite roughly as i am not entirely sure what is required to be on the back when it is produced by an independent publisher. This is something we will discuss.
Also the publisher is buying us dinner and drinks while we discuss; i pre looked up the menu so i know what i am ordering and i can look smooth and professional the whole time.

Once this meeting has happened and i know all the details i need, i can resolve this project pretty quickly. I am feeling confident. And since i'm steering them towards the less coloured pieces, i a=may even have time to do fully finished colour images.