by Stacey Wiseman | Jan 27, 2015 | Photo Book Design Layout, Product Feature
An ancillary benefit to designing photo books is to live vicariously through my client’s lives. And the C Family in Indiana is no exception. I have to admit my jealousy over the travels this family took in 2013. Last summer, they loaded up in a RV and traveled across the country. It looked like an absolute blast.
Working on her family photo book reminded me of one of my favorite trips out west as a child. Many years ago, my sister, brother, and I were marooned in the back of a station wagon for what seemed like days. But the agony of being cramped and hot was worth it once we finally arrived at Yellowstone.
I love that I’m helping to preserve these memories of their 2013 trip by placing them in a photo book. Of course, that was only one part of their year. The entire book actually documents a Project 365 – a photograph taken every single day of 2013.
Using the Day # / 365 was an important detail I included in the design. It was the only caption or title throughout the entire book. I did not designate the months, places, or events. Only the day the photo was taken.
This was a monumental project and one that I know my client will treasure years from now. The simple, elegant design of this photo book allows her photos to shine.
11×8
270 pages
Hardcover Linen with Dust Jacket
by Stacey Wiseman | Jan 15, 2015 | Photo Book Design Layout, Product Feature
Custom Cover Design
Often when I’m designing photo books, I prefer a clean, simple yet sophisticated design to let the photos (and the moments captured in the photos) standout. While this sounds good, I realize it can be difficult to understand what that truly means.
The best way I can explain it, is to show an example. My design for the T_Family, located in South Carolina, is a perfect example. There is simplicity to the layouts because there is order, alignment, and hierarchy. All of the photos are organized on the page in a logical way. The alignment, margins and spacing between photos are consistent throughout. White space is used to provide the eye breathing room to dwell on particular photos. Hierarchy is employed by placing larger images next to smaller ones.
All of these decisions are deliberate. It shows my ability to choose from the photos my client provided to show them in the best possible way on the page. It reveals how I can tell a story of a year, over the course of a book.
Having said that, it’s also important for me to show a design sophistication in the details. For this photo book, I selected an ornate font, soft color palette and graphic that appears on each month section page and page numbers. Since a majority of this photo book documents the life of their daughter, I wanted to present a sophisticated feminine approach. I used two shades of a muted pink as opposed to a brighter more vibrant pink to emphasize the daughter interest in dance.
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I was elated to learn that my client absolutely loved her photo book. Currently, I’m designing her 2014 photo book – we’re going to change a few elements but the core concept of a sophisticated and modern book design will be the constant driving factor.
11×8
240 pages
Hardcover Linen with Dust Jacket
Would you love for me to design your family photo book? Let me know!
by Stacey Wiseman | Jun 8, 2012 | Description, Inspiration, Photo Book Design Layout
My previous cover examples all feature one photograph. In this cover design, I am featuring one photograph of each of my children. However to tie them together, the two photographs have something in common – sunglasses. They are wearing the same sunglasses and I thought it was really cute, not only of my little girl wearing her glasses…but also big brother! This is a great tip for you as you begin thinking about your cover. Perhaps it is a couple of photographs of your kids doing a similar activity. Or it could be a from a similar season – ie two photographs from the summer time.
Another thing to keep in mind when using two photographs on the cover is the scale of the subject. This particular example could be improved, my son’s face fills the frame a little more than my daughters, but you will notice they are both head shots. If you have a full body shot of one kid, it is a good idea to include a full body shot of the other. It ties them together. Of course there are exceptions, but starting out, it is a good idea to keep things similar!
Finally, for the title of the book, I decided to use a phrase or question. If there is something that really ties to the photograph on the cover or something that you or one of your kids likes to say, this would make a perfect cover title.
[divider] If you love this example or gives you some ideas for your photo book, pin it!
by Stacey Wiseman | Jun 5, 2012 | Q&A
Question:
Should I wait until my photographs are ready before I place my order?
Answer:
No. It is recommended to place your order as soon as possible.
Once you purchase your book, a questionnaire will be emailed to you. The questions are designed to customize your book. You can fill this out at your convenience and return it before you have uploaded your photos. This will initiate the design process.
We will notify you when photographs are due for a timely delivery of your book.
One reason to place your order before you have assembled your photographs is to take advantage of a sale! Right now, receive $50 off when you place your 2012 Family Photo Book order by July 31, 2012. Make sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter and join our facebook page for special announcements!
Did you find this helpful? Do you have a question about the books or process? Leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!!!
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by Stacey Wiseman | Jun 1, 2012 | Description, Family Photographs, Inspiration, Photo Book Design Layout, Photograph
For this photo book cover, I am incorporating the two shades of dark gray with a black and white photograph. This gives the cover a stately simplicity that would perfectly set up a modern photo book. For the interior of the book, the same dark gray with light gray font could act as the section pages, dividing the custom photo book into months, seasons, or events!
[divider]Make sure you pin it!
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by Stacey Wiseman | May 29, 2012 | Description, Family Photographs, Motivation, Photo Book Design Layout, Photograph
The following is an example of my May page for the One Word Challenge. For this layout, it is only 1 page with a simple border around a 5″x7″ photograph.
by Stacey Wiseman | May 24, 2012 | Description, Family Photographs, Motivation, Photo Book Design Layout, Photograph
Here is the next entry in the Book This Project Color Series!
Here are six color options to pair with a photograph in a landscape size photo book. Submit your photograph to info[at]bookthisproject.com and I will prepare a color profile for you!
Let me know in the comments below, which one is your favorite?
[divider]Here is the original photograph from yesterday’s wordless wednesday post:
[divider] the colors:
[divider] A free download of the color values are located here:
by Stacey Wiseman | May 22, 2012 | Description, Family Photographs, Inspiration
I am super excited to share with you the final installment Book This Project ebook launch!
The House the __________ Built
I love this idea! I adapted the concept from R. Caldecott’s “The House that Jack Built” and customized it to fit our family including my son’s favorite things for a personalized book.
This concept is incredibly easy to customize for your family. Upon purchase, a questionnaire and upload form will be emailed to you. Once you upload the photographs of your “characters,” I will pull it all together in a beautiful, easy-to-use ebook or pdf.
Photographs and narratives do not have to be known before you purchase. I will walk you through all the steps and provide suggestions!
The main point is to create a cumulative tale that describes the fun family members and toys that live in your household.
Here is the text from my final “page”:
This is the phone that buzzed in the morn,
That woke up daddy not shaven or shorn,
Who kissed mommy in her pj’s worn,
Who fed Lydia all forlorn,
Who loved the elephant with the big, loud horn,
Who startled the bear,
Who pushed the fire truck,
That carried the cheese,
That Lay in the House that Alden Built!
This video illustrates how it all comes together!
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Again, for any of the ebooks that have been launched, you do not have to have the photos and text ready. I will work with you to customize your book!
Even though this concludes the official launch of ebooks, I will continue to release new book and ebook ideas, so make sure you check out the website, facebook, and newsletter!
* R. Caldecott “The House that Jack Built” published in 1878 is in the public domain.
by Stacey Wiseman | May 18, 2012 | Family Photographs, Photo Book Design Layout
Here is the next entry in the Book This Project 2012 cover design series.
[divider] Make sure you pin it!
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by Stacey Wiseman | May 7, 2012 | Description, Family Photographs, Inspiration, Photo Book Design Layout, Photograph
COLOR! It is so important in design and can add so much to your photo book layouts. I have decided to start a new monthly series that examines the impact color has on layouts. I will take a photograph – or a group of photographs – and run through a series of different design layouts – exploring color, type, size, orientation, and proportion.
First, to start off this series, I want to mention the beautiful and inspiring site: Design Seeds. If you are not familiar with them, I hope you will check out their site, facebook page or pin boards. This site examines the rich color groups found within evocative photographs. If you are ever in a color rut or looking for color inspiration, you should check out their work!
Photo
[divider] Layouts
[divider]Get a free download listing the colors used in this series (RGB and CMYK) – here!
[divider] Would you like one of your photographs featured in this series? Email me your photograph and I will let you know when your photo will appear.
I hope this gets your creative juices flowing!
And if you love any of these, share this post on your facebook page or pin your favorite(s)!
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