Book Design Case Study
For my Graphic Design 2 class, I completed a book design project that required a minimum of 25 pages. I created a playful and humorous book titled Tips from a College Cat, which offers lighthearted advice from the perspective of a cat navigating college life.
The idea stemmed from my desire to turn a non-narrative concept into a fun and engaging book. I was inspired by the simple charm of Advice from a Blob, which features minimalist artwork paired with witty guidance. My frequent visits to the local bookstore in Steamboat Springs also influenced my direction, as I noticed a trend of humorous, novelty-style books on display.
Additionally, I currently live in the dorms with my emotional support cat, who has inspired many of the comical scenarios featured in the book. Her mischievous behavior sparked the idea to create a guide to "surviving" college from a cat’s perspective. The result is a cute, quirky, and visually engaging book that blends humor with personal inspiration.
Case Study About
Sketches/Mood Board
First Draft
This initial draft served as a foundational layout for my book design. My primary goal at this stage was to establish the structure through text placement and basic blocking, allowing me to visualize the overall flow before moving into detailed illustration and composition.
Approaching the project by prioritizing layout over artwork was a shift from my usual process, where I typically create the visuals first. However, beginning with the layout this time proved to be both enjoyable and efficient. It allowed the “skeleton” of the book to take shape early on, providing a clear framework that will guide the development of the final visual elements.
This second draft represents a more developed version of the book, incorporating finalized artwork and refined text. I focused on creating a simple, expressive art style to effectively convey the mood and personality of the cat on each page. While my typical approach leans toward more detailed illustrations, I intentionally experimented with a minimal style in this project to better suit the lighthearted tone of the content.
In addition to the visual updates, I revised the text significantly based on the feedback I received from my peers on the first draft. Their critiques were instrumental in helping me clarify the message and improve the overall readability of the book. This stage of the process allowed me to see how both the visual and written elements could work together more cohesively.
Second Draft
