COP- Evaluation

My aim for this practical piece was to turn something completely digital into print to prove print has better physical qualities than digital. After much debate into whether to focus on a website or application I decided to focus on an application as the piece of print could be turned interactive like every application.

After researching into applications and creative websites, I decided to focus on the visual social media application, Instagram. I decided to go for Instagram as it is a well known application and not many people actually print their images off nowadays so a printed version of Instagram could show how the printed images has more value. Once I decided to go with Instagram I started to break down the application into app maps, figuring out where each link takes you to and how it all connects. My main concern was how I was going to fit all of the content from Instagram into one print publication. Next, I had to figure out the format, this proved quite difficult as I knew I wanted in to fold out in some way for it to become interactive, I just didn't know how. While figuring out the format I was also thinking about the print method of the publication. After much thought I decided to go with a square format publication as Instagram is based on a square grid, the publication would become interactive on each page with pull outs and stickers.

My ideas developed and I decided that this publication had to include a variety of print techniques to prove that print has more value. The print techniques that I needed to include was screen printing, foiling and letterpress. I had never experimented with foiling and letterpress techniques until now. The inside is digital printed with screen printed fold outs to show that contrast between digital and print.

The content of the publication includes all of the creatives I interviewed for my dissertation as they are all connected to print. As the content is based on print and the techniques inside experiment with print, the audience of the publication would be creatives and people interested in print.
There were quite a few problems I had to overcome while creating this publication, mainly with screen printing and letterpress, but they were expected problems as they are both hand printing techniques. A change I would of made was to screen print more foldouts which then would of left more room for error when letter pressing.

Time management throughout context of practice has been good, doing little bits of my dissertation each week helped it to come together slowly, and I have enjoyed researching and writing my dissertation. Linking my dissertation and a practical piece at first seemed tricky trying to decide what digital application to base it on. 

I think the message I wanted to convey has been successful, the printed publication is hands on and interactive the way I wanted it. I have included different textured stock for the physical feel.
Visualising the final piece through all the development and experimenting has been difficult however overall I am happy with the way the final publication has turned out. I have learnt new techniques that I will definitely be going back to in the future. I think it represents Instagram well in a fun and interactive way. Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed COP3. 

COP Practical- Final publication

The final publication ‘Printgram’ is a printed version of Instagram portraying how a digital app can be of more value as a printed publication. The front cover is letter pressed a printing technique that is over 350 years old, using various types demonstrates letterpresses ability to be decretive without the need of digital implications. Originally planned the front cover was blue stock with white ink, however the white type didn’t appear to be clear on the deep blue stock, after switching the stock colour and ink around the type appeared clearer and still complemented the pink side bar. 

The beginning of the publication includes many textures to prove that print has more textural, physical qualities compared to digital. Foiling was a new process that was experimented with and worked better than expected. Associate adds a new layer to the publication next to the marbled paper, which then brings you to the contents and introduction of the publication. 

The first studio that is featured within the publication is Ditto Press as I interviewed the co-founder Ben Freeman in November about his thoughts on publication in the digital era. The page includes a collection of photos from the past year off their Instagram, to make the publication interactive with the user there is a pull out page titled ‘discover’ like Instagram, the discover page leads to Hattie Stewart a London based illustrator. The Hattie Stewart page is screen printed with blended inks to give the publication extra colour. 

DR.ME is a Manchester based creative duo that replied to my interview questions about print via e-mail. This double page spread features some of their best work off their Instagram, print designs on social media then back into print. Their designs work really well together. On this double page spread there is an ‘explore’ concertina pull out which is screen printed. The pull out consists of two more Instagram accounts that could be explored if the consumer likes DR.ME’s work. 

Risotto Studio is a print based studio based in Glasgow, with bright colours and good use of pattern. This double page spread features a map that is an Instagram feature that tells you where all the photos were taken in the world. 

Colours may vary is an independent bookshop based in Leeds selling a variety of publication. Featured in the publication is a range of publications that they sell in store. The interactive aspect of this page is ‘edit’ which came from the ‘edit your profile’ feature on Instagram. The edit element includes pull out emoji stickers and hearts that can be used throughout the publication to ‘like’ or just for fun. 

OKIDO is a children's magazine based in London. The magazine was made as the founder, Sophie Dauvois found there wasn't enough quality publication on the market for children. The page features Instagram images of OKIDO and as the interactive element a pull out letter pressed ‘discover’ with a screen printed inside of Anorak Magazine another well know illustrative magazine that the user can discover if they enjoy OKIDO. 

Maggie Li is an illustrator for OKIDO magazine, she also freelances with her own screen prints. I interviewed her in London for my dissertation and she gave some valuable answers to my questions and had some strong opinions on the digital era. The ‘explore’ interactive aspect concertina folds out and reveals Wrap Magazine and Lynnie Zulu another fun illustrator and illustrative magazine. The images featured on the fold outs are images off their Instagram accounts turned into negatives and screen printed. 

The back page of the publication thanks all the people I interviewed within the publication. On the spine at the back there is a QR code with a link to follow Printgram on Instagram the QR code would open the Instagram app and take the user to the page, adding that extra interactive element that links print and digital together to complement each other. 

COP Practical- Synthesis

The focus of my dissertation is print publication in the digital era, exploring how the publication industry is changing and developing due to new media and technology. The publication industry is of concern, their is becoming less of a need for newspapers because of the digital era however niche magazines are thriving off all physical aspects digital can't do. This is a concern for the publication industry, as it is the industry that I may want to go into it is relevant and and interesting topic to explore. 

My dissertation is based on an argument, and discusses why the digital era could be a positive for publication and how print is going to survive. Collating research from primary interviews and secondary sources.I have gained a lot more knowledge about the future of publication, my opinions have changed in someways, I do think print will survive and their will still be more print publication arriving on the market however they will utilize digital platforms such as social media for advertising and possibly a website. 

For the practical piece I wanted to turn something completely digital to print, to prove how print can have more value than digital. I chose to convert Instagram into a physical peice as it is highly visual. I named the publication 'Printgram' a printed version of Instagram. The concept behind Printgram is that it would be a quarterly publication displaying print designers/ creatives/ businesses with their images off Instagram instead of promoting themselves online, promoting with print. 

I went for blue and pink as the main colours for the publication as blue is the main colour of Instagram and pink is a complementing colour. Throughout the publication I have used various print techniques to show off the qualities of print, including digital, screen print, letterpress and foiling. Creating various textures for print physically. 

It has made me come to the conclusion that print publication will not fade because of the digital era but will only grow stronger. Print and digital can complement each other well, the future is exciting for publication. My conclusion clarifies the relevance of equal balance. 

COP Practical- Binding

After researching into binging methods I decided the easiest way and the bind that is going to look the neatest is the saddle stitch. 

It has been stitched with six holes and using a waxed thread to keep it discrete. A coloured thread was considered however the waxed thread looks more discrete and holds it together better. When finishing sewing all the pages together to finish the bind a not is made on the outside and then pulled through into the middle to complete the bind. All the pages are now secured with the tread.
  
Problem 

The problem when making the holes is that I started to make them from the inside which I quickly realised was a bad idea as it went slightly off centre and was visible on the front cover not the spine. 

COP Practical- Assotate

To add an extra texture to the publication I decided to print on acetate. 

I wanted the pattern to be simple but relate to Instagram so I decided to make a pattern of the comment button. I did originally print it on acetate in blue but then released as I was assembling the publication that there was too much blue and I then opted for a pink to complement the marble paper underneath. 

I think the acetate makes a good edition to the textures at the start of the publication. 

COP Practical- Binding Research

Perfect Bind 

This binding technique uses glue to hold the pages together. When the pages are gathered together glue is applied to the spine, the cover is added and the whole publication will be clamped and held together, when the glue is dry the publication will be bound.
Perfect binding is possibility for the publication however the be concern would be the glue and getting it wrong. 

Japanese Stab Binding 

There are four basic variations of the Japanese stab bind: Kikko Toji (Tortoise Shell Binding), Asa-No-Ha Toji (Hemp Leaf Binding), Koki Toji (Noble Binding) and Yotsume Toji (Four Eye Binding). To do stab binding I will need thread, an awl, a bone folder, ruler and pencil. There are various patterns you can do with stab binding.
As my front cover is already letter pressed stab binding may look too much and over complicate the front cover. 

Saddle Sitch 

Saddle stich a simple process, sewing all of the pages together, weaving in and out and then finishing in the middle of the publication with a not to complete the bind.
Saddle stich would work well with the publication as it is a hand processed method, a consideration would be taken into using a coloured thread or something more subtle, when bound, saddle stich can look quite neat. 

Staple

Stapling would be a simple option for the publication however as there is so many different textures in the publication including acetate the main concern would be the stapler not getting through all the pages. 

COP Practical- Emoji Sticker Development

To add another interactive fun element to the publication, I have decided to create emoji stickers that can be used throughout the publication or just for fun.

At first I decided to try and design some flat vector emojis and add some of my own colours to them, after much experimentation I realised I didn't like the look of the flat emojis and just decided to use real emojis instead.

Above is a screenshot of the stickers in illustrator ready to print, the stickers will be printed on clear, where the black circles are thats where the stickers will be cut out. 

The hearts are for the Instagram 'like' so the user can place a heart on their favourite images throughout the publication to book mark them. 

The final stickers are on the Colours May Vary page of the publication, the 'edit' is for 'edit your profile' or in this case the publication.