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How to Bind a Sketchbook

After learning how to bind my own sketchbook, a few of my friends wanted to know how. I thought it would be smart to create something that is easy to follow; it also doubled as an assignment for Semiotics and Visual Design at DePaul. This allowed myself to frame the piece as something beyond just my group of friends.

Process

The first step of the project was to complete a design brief to help frame the project. That includes a timeline, target audience, and some base information for the project. Feel free to look at the full design brief to the right.

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After deciding on my steps and wanted place this piece in an arts and crafts store, specifically in the bookmaking and binding section. I sketched out the main components and steps, so I could then take that image into illustrator and trace over within the program. Instead of trying to create the illustrations from scratch, it is smarter to sketch them out prior. After creating the base illustrations and graphics, I am able to use the pieces and parts over and over within the steps. I then added text to each step to help clarify in addition to add color to point out the important parts.

Reflection

I believe the branding for the piece was a good way to frame the piece and pushed it beyond my group of friends. I enjoyed the process that I took to get to the finished piece; design brief, sketching, illustrating digitally, adding typography, then polishing the piece.

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