Print Design

Project Definition and Scope

The scope of our work spanned from August to March, organized through design sprints and associated deadlines. The team's responsibilities encompassed a wide range of tasks, including conceptualizing the theme, content creation, photography, editing, copywriting, marketing, sales, design, and the distribution of a 200-page full-color print publication. However, delineating the project's scope became challenging as the sole graphic design team in the building, as we were frequently inundated with requests for various projects outside our product's defined boundaries. Navigating these technical and educational aspects added complexity to the project management process.

Understanding the Problem

We conducted thorough one-on-one interviews with users, crafted personas, and made concerted efforts to visualize and understand the users' challenges.

One prominent issue that surfaced during these interactions was the users' dissatisfaction with their limited inclusion in the book. Numerous users expressed concerns about being left out of the featured pages. In response, we implemented the use of facial tagging software within the system and consistently reviewed the generated reports. This approach allowed us to track and address the representation of individuals in the book, ensuring a more inclusive and diverse portrayal of the student body.

Ideation

The ideation process was ongoing, starting at the beginning of each year and extending well beyond the delivery of the product to the readers. Our primary sources for layout and theme ideation were the lookbook and Pinterest, providing rich visual inspiration. Hand-drawn sketches played a pivotal role in communicating ideas within the team.

The design sprints were strategically planned, and information architecture decisions were made at the outset of August. This proactive approach ensured a cohesive and well-organized foundation for the project, setting the tone for the subsequent stages of development and execution.

Design

Following the initial sketching and blocking out of elements, students would commence the book design process. This encompassed various aspects such as information architecture, photography selection, iconography, as well as decisions regarding fonts and color schemes. The majority of the design work took place on a cloud-based software program, with additional use of Adobe Photoshop and InDesign for more robust features when needed. This comprehensive approach allowed for a nuanced and visually compelling design, incorporating various tools to achieve the desired aesthetic and functionality. 📕