Study Task 03 - Conventions of the Book

Conventions

Looking at the initial conventions and properties of this book the first thing to look at it is the binding and how the book is bound. This book seems to use adhesive binding as most paperback books do, it also iterates the handmade feel and look of the book as a whole and hides any man made structures. The next thing to look at is the stock used; it seems to be high quality paper, with quite a thick feel, than other stocks used for other book pages. The stock has been picked specifically to be drawn on, defaced and manipulated, therefore there is no gloss finish the pages are then tactile. 
 The layout of the book is very disorganised, however the layout comes in the form of repetition through the use of images, photographs and collage, then how the text is then left aligned and centred over or beside these pieces. The contents page aso states that the book can be read in any order, therefore no hierarchy throughout or storytelling has been used. 
 The typography throughout is handwritten in the same handwriting to add that personal touch. Also encourages other the reader to write and draw and display their creativity within the book as well. This style of the book creates the aesthetic of a scrapbook which is what the intended use for the book is. 
The colour scheme used is purely black, white and orange within the book, (not considering the back and front cover.) This basic colour scheme to allow for additions of colour and creativity though out the journey and discovery of things and activities inside the book.
 The barcode and the essential information has been made part of the design and part of the book, hasn't been made separate from the rest of the design, shows inclusion. The size of the book is between A5 and A4 at 18.1 x 1.9 x 23.4 cm.
 The design decisions have been chosen to display and encourage the reader to interact, handle and deface the book with their own ideas and creativity, which is what the book encourages. It shows the reader through the different layouts, handwritten text and medias used how to undertake the observing, collecting, documenting, analyzing, and comparing needed to complete the book. 



Changes

The size of the book needs to be manipulated as the book is described as 'portable', however it isn't pocket sized, or even bag sized. Therefore to get the most use out of the book it would need to be sized down to at least A5 or notebook sized, therefore it is then possible to carry it around wherever you go. This means that the reader can then get the most out of the book and use it out and about on their travels, which is what the book is meant for. 
 The stock of paper should be changed to a recycled material, which relates to the subject matter of the book being creative and using the world around you, it also then means that the book can be sustainable and longer lasting. 
The colour scheme could be limited to just black and white therefore the reader can then add colour to the book with their findings through exploration. Therefore the readers content is then helping to form the book, making it more interactive.
 The page numbers or chapter numbers could be changed to exist around the number of countries in the world. To condense the subject matter into the book nd give meaning to the depth and pages relating to the book.  

Publication

The subject matter of hip hop, could most predominantly be communicated through the typefaces, looking at the use of type within graffiti and existing album covers and the time period of when hip hop became developed.