Catalog Concept (Essay)

When creating the catalog, I wanted to stick with using typography in order to create interesting forms and shapes that complimented the pictures or visual look that I attempted with this design. I feel that I kept with the mission statement of BCC by showing different sides of BCC including the diversity and the feeling of being a part of a good school and education program, which in turn will appeal to a broad audience. I feel that I still have minimalist style with my catalog design, but I have kept with the "rule of thirds"by placing elements in each area in order to guide a person's eye through the design without cluttering to the point where it's to much visually.

With each element I have placed emphasis on the fact that the school belongs to the student and covers a variety of educational elements. I've used alignment in order to give it an organized feel by using the repetition of shapes and even color elements. I used contrast in color to make the individual pictures stand out from the larger picture in the background, and size also breaks them up in order to keep them from becoming to chaotic or to repetitive. I feel that the negative space I used to create the keyhole effect and the placing of the text have given my piece a good balance and a nice flow that keeps the eye moving throughout the design, without locking it on to one particular element.

For the whole of the design, color has been very important. First there is the contrast between the background picture and the smaller photos, which helps to break up the monotony of keeping everything their natural colors. I also feel that I've tried to tie the pictures together by including similar colors - blue, tan and green. Finally, the color of the letters lend themselves to the design in that I've taken colors from the background photo in order to change the type so that they stand out and give the catalog a more warm and visually appealing look.

All in all I am pleased with my design and feel that I have maintained the basic design principles as well as sticking with the rule of thirds.